Linux.com

They aren't mandating particular software, they're mandating a vendor-neutral *format*. This allows them to select among multiple software providers, who can choose to support the format or not if they want the state's business. They want out of the vendor-specific formats; they gave the example of having Wordstar files laying around from the 80's they can't read anymore. It's political only in that it's a government entity doing it, and that MS' paid shills (that's YOU, binky) are lobbying against it 'cause they don't want to lose the MS-Office lock-in. They also said they have to retrain regardless of the upgrade path, and not having to upgrade thousands of PCs to support Office 12 will save them millions; $5M vs. $50M . Sounds like a prudent use of the public funds to me.

#