World embraces real open standards
Microsoft may be trying to 'take over' OpenDocument Format (ODF) [1, 2, 3]. Can anyone blame them? They fail to implement OOXML (which one anyway?) that they know is a technical mess and an increasing number of nations are migrating to ODF, neglecting Microsoft's largest cash cow in the process.
In the following new interview, Red Hat's CEO is
quoted as saying:
More countries will use ODF and have OS tenders accordingly. More government lobby efforts are being seen. This has only raised the awareness in general.
There is a very strong momentum for ODF, which typically brings Free software and GNU/Linux along its side. Contrary to common belief (misconception), OpenOffice.org is not only downloaded over one million times per week; it's actively used by many people too, with good presence in lesser-wealthy countries such as Brazil. According to a report found by Glyn Moody,
Brazil is a big OpenOffice.org consumer. It also has its own localised derivative, which demonstrates the power and importance of source code.
All around the world, it seems, people just can't get enough of this amazing free office suite, which is now turning in serious market shares in some countries. For, example, according to this report, there are now 12 million users in Brazil, representing fully 25% of the entire office market there.
These facts are often concealed or simply fail to reach the attention of more people. Despite the fact that Microsoft
happily permits people to 'steal' Office and Windows in developing nations, GNU/Linux and OpenOffice.org are doing pretty well. DIsinformation seems to be the last remaining thing Microsoft can use in Brazil [
1,
2,
3]. They sell the illusion that only poor people use GNU/Linux and Free software because it's cheap. Cheap, not Free (as in "Freedom"). It's a form of hypnosis and it's it's important to know who
not to listen to.
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“Linux is being widely used on the desktop in the third world, where applications are limited and labor is inexpensive…”
--Rob Enderle, Microsoft propagandist
