GeekPAC

This blogger is just shocked, *shocked* that Microsoft is opposed to AB 1668. Well, he’s right in that they shouldn’t be opposed, yet I’m not surprised at all. In all honesty, Microsoft does some very interesting things at Microsoft Research and their Open Source Software Lab. There are many times when I get the sense that there is an internal struggle at Microsoft about future direction. The part of Microsoft that opposes this bill is the one that sees Office as its continuing cash cow and is loathe to lose control of it. Why, then, can’t they see that this issue is only just gaining steam? That they are getting in the way of transparent governing?

The linked blog post has some great analysis of what AB 1668 would do for California. A couple of quotes:

This bill is common sense. This will be in the best interest of any organization, any industry, and technology in general. Massachusetts has already passed a similar bill. The great state of Minnesota attempted a similar bill previously. Now Minnesota is trying again and Texas plans to attempt a similar open standards bill. No one in their right mind would object to any of these bills. Allow me a moment to explain why this is common sense.

Read the rest (highly recommended)