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)

cbs5.com has an article on AB 1393, AB 1648, and AB 1668, all introduced by Assemblymember Leno (D - 13, San Francisco).

To summarize, AB 1393 would allow public records requests via state agency web sites. AB 1648 would require police commissions to conduct their hearings in public, reversing an Aug. 29 California Supreme Court decision and allowing the public access to an officer’s discipline records. And, the bill around which this web site is geared, AB 1668, would allow greater public access to documents created by state agencies by requiring open file formats for all electronic government documents.

Taken in aggregate, these 3 bring about substantial reform to California state government. Contact your Assemblymember today and tell them you demand the passage of all 3!

Here’s a look at each of the Assemblymembers responsible for the AB 1668 hearing on April 17:

See the “Who’s My Assemblymember” link on the left sidebar to see if you’re a constituent of any of these assemblymembers.

AB 1668 was introduced by Mark Leno, California Assemblymember from the 13th district in San Francisco. I’m looking to get an official statement or interview from Leno as soon as possible. Would love to post an interview!

AB 1668 is the bill that would, if passed:

“require all state agencies, beginning on or after January 1, 2008, to create, exchange, and preserve all documents, as specified, in an open extensible markup language-based, XML-based file format, and to start to become equipped to receive any document in an open, XML-based file format, as specified.”

Basically, it mandates that data be exchanged in openly accessible formats. More stipulations follow:

(1) Interoperable among diverse internal and external platforms and applications.
(2) Fully published and available royalty-free.
(3) Implemented by multiple vendors.
(4) Controlled by an open industry organization with a well-defined inclusive process for evolution of the standard.

This is pretty self-explanatory. (2) and (3) are there to ensure that whatever the solution, it must not be controlled by any single organization or entity. (1) is there so as not to lock the user into any platform. And (4) just means that whatever document standard is used should be under the auspices of a transparent standards body.