Kay, if you haven't changed your set-up for five years, you are one of the lucky ones - most people I know have been forced to upgrade long since.

SL, even if Microsoft were to produce an XML format for Office 12, it will still need to meet the Massachusetts definition of open formats, which they describe as "specifications for data file formats that are based on an underlying open standard, developed by an open community, affirmed and maintained by a standards body and are fully documented and publicly available". You will notice that it says nothing about it having "inferior" capabilities, basically because they are after security, not functionality.

What puzzles me is why they dont just incorporate the ODF standard in a "Save As .odt" capability in the drop-down box. This will meet the Massachusetts requirement, and still enable Microsoft to maintain its own format for those who want any extra features they might need. It's not as though Microsoft doesn't have enough programmers.

And Bruce, please understand this is not about inter-program compatibility, it is about document formatting. The capability of an organizations to keep documents in a format that they *know* can still be read in a hundred years time, because the "rules" under which they are stored/coded are freely available, and not kept under lock and key by a commercial concern that might be tempted to exploit their proprietary format for financial gain.

I have two Linux and one windows system. Only use windows for video as I haven't been able to complete building the video program I want with open source. Except for my 3 windows programs, all my software is open source. I 'm not a programmer, yet over a couple of years have learnt to take different components of Linux and make up programs that suit my purpose. Mind you for me it is a slow error ridden process. I use one Linux system for this and the other is for my business. I deal with a lot of different people, most use Microsoft, but open office in Linux handles it exceptionally well.

Linux through a program called wine, opens Microsoft programs so that you can use them in Linux. So there are no problems, just bonuses. Fedora, never stops. Solaris just keeps getting better. Plus I have a small Linux on dvd which I use for experimenting, you can do anything to it, just restarts perfectly when you crash it trying something stupid, It isolates the problem from the system so that you can remove it. Try doing that with windows lock ups and crashes.

What I love about open sources is that you can fix it by posting your problem, normally within a few hours you have a patch. You can create your own custom setups, that can be read by other open source software. The range of software is almost endless and its free. Thats where we are going. Telstra may become a poor hack for landlines. The next generation is satellite and wireless. I'm on broadband satellite and its just fabulous, we have no land lines and do all our telephony over the satellite saving heaps.

Once the Microsoft ties are broken, you can be sure that the range and quality of software will just skyrocket as people make up their own programs to suit, and always having compatibility. If you want a top open source graphics program, try the gimp and open office will open every format you can think of, I believe.

I'm not going to say that it is causal exactly - but it has always seemed ironic to me that the dot com era ended at roughly the same time as the US supreme court (and later the the US govt) pulled the plug from "the" MS anti-trust case.

The main recent trial that is...

Alchemist - have been interested in Linux myself for sometime - AND you have your own satellite! - something I can only fantasise about.

I have never believed in monopolies - believe true competition is among many small to medium businesses. 'Bout time Microsoft had to learn to compete.

(formerly Trinity)

Peace

Scout, I agree with you, there is a growing number of small businesses that are steering clear of monopolies, technologically and supply wise. People are beginning to realise that good personal service, is worth a lot more that inefficient don't care monopolies. A lot of the people I deal with are changing as they see the economic benefits of it. No one likes to have their business interrupted by computer problems, failed deliveries or wrong accounts and payments.

Today we just finished upgrading our open source POS, it cost just over $50 for a geek to fine tune it and you can configure it in any combination you want. It was built on a DVD so that it could be put into a computer and tried, then taken out again without the computer missing a beat. You just can't get that much control or versatility from commercial windows packages.

The satellite is available to everyone that doesn't have access to broadband. The government provides it with a subsidy called HIBS, Vsat. Free equipment, free installation and charges that are equivalent to the city. Check out www.bordernet.com.au if anyone is interested. It means you can drop your landline and do everything over the satellite. Bonus for us is that we are also on solar/wind power, so we never have a power outage or spikes. Way to go if you can do it, you would be amazed at the savings after start up costs.

All the best

Thanks for the info Alchemist - you are doing the things I have plans to do. Way to go! My own satellite dish - I am in dream land. Now if I can just get a (reasonable paying) job.....