Microsoft Opposing California Open Doc Bill 191
ZJMX writes "Microsoft is going through its email and phone lists asking people to support their opposition to California A.B. 1668 — 'Open Document Format, Open Source' — by writing to the California Assemblymen involved in this bill (contact info in the link). Apparently they fear that California will join Massachusetts in wanting documents based on open standards in their government. Let's see if this community can raise as much support for the California ODF bill as Microsoft can raise opposition."
Re:Allow Me to Summarize (Score:5, Funny)
The only thing "Open" about Microsoft is your wallet.
Copy of a letter (Score:5, Funny)
One of Microsoft's innovations is our ability to help millions of customers with our proprietary file formats. If large purchasers, such as your state government, wrongly conclude that an open standard is in their best interest, Microsoft's proprietary file format becomes substantially less valuable to all Americans, and indeed, the world.
So let us describe to you what will happen if this proposal becomes reality:
(1) Microsoft will need to compete with other products based on attributes other than file format. In turn, Microsoft products will rise in price by millions of dollars, leading to riots in your neighborhood.
(2) This will forever make the USA a 3rd world country. China will be willing to step in and take over Microsoft's responsibility as the engine of the American economy.
(3) An American innovator and icon will no longer be the richest man in the world. Americans will no longer be proud or patriotic; most, if not all, will end up voting against you. Microsoft will no longer be a name loved by millions of children - instead, it could be "Al Jezerra".
Please make your decision carefully. We have included a check of $50,000 to put towards your next campaign. See you at the golf tournament next week!
Face it, Microsoft is right about this one (Score:2, Funny)
Now, if any of these were in Open Doc format, I would have full access to them.
Finally, consider that in the past I have said some really stupid things, and I'm not even a politician. I certainly don't want anyone to be able to figure out what I have said. Thus, I am in favor of closed source formats that go way, way out of date just so I can be sure that what I say today will be rendered even more incomprehensible in the future.
Thank you.
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This post best read before July 18, 2015 when it will become unreadable.
Re:They're against freedom (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Why the govt? Why not the fortune 500 companies (Score:1, Funny)
Gates' Long Lost Cousin? (Score:4, Funny)
No time to RTFA but lots of time to post and read replies!
Re:Allow Me to Summarize (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Allow Me to Summarize (Score:2, Funny)
Ergo the good old US is not a democratic country. And does not honor the rule of law "for the people by the people" but the rule of money and the rule of force.
Re: In Massachusetts (Score:3, Funny)