We're Open enough, Says Microsoft

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft Australia has come under fire from rival vendors and open-source advocates for keeping its Office document standards proprietary. Greg Stone, Microsoft's national technology officer for Australia and New Zealand, faced criticism during his presentation at the Australian Unix User Group conference in Canberra yesterday. However, he stood firm on the company's policy of making the XML schemas for its Office 2003 document standard publicly available provided interested parties sign an agreement with the software heavyweight. "Why should I have to sign an agreement?" one audience member demanded to know."

Comments

wow

[Anonymous Coward]

three refreshes and no first post yet. guess i'll try.

Re:wow

[Anonymous Coward]

Congratulations?

Re:wow

[Anonymous Coward]

>three refreshes and no first post yet. guess i'll try.

I was thinking the same thing. Except I didn't actually first post. I guess I'm just slightly less of a jackass.

Re:wow

[skiman1979]

ah, the coveted First Post... you beat me to it, almighty Anonymous Coward :)

Re:wow

[Anonymous Coward]

re. your sig, restaurants are private property and the restaurateur has the right to choose whether or not to allow smoking. If you don't like the smell of fags, open your own restaurant; but don't tell other people how to behave on their own property.

ha

[Anonymous Coward]

haaa

Re:eeehmm

[R.D.Olivaw]

Could you please point me to the spellchecker that would correct sing to sign based on the context?

Re:eeehmm

[Yer Mom]

Eyes, brain, and a reasonable command of the English language?

Spellchecking doesn't have to be done entirely by computer :)

Re:A better response to this

[Anonymous Coward]

your instincts has its advantages all the time... This is freaky as anything...DO NOT CHEAT (You'll will kick yourself later) I was a little skeptical trying this, but if you follow the instructions to the "t" you'll be surprised!!!! All of my answers were accurate. We'll see tomorrow if the wish comes true. I'll let you know. Take 3 minutes and try this...it will freak you out! The person who sent it to me said her wish came true 10 minutes after they read the mail. BUT NO CHEATING! This game has a funny/spooky outcome. Don't read ahead...just do it in order! It takes about three minutes...it's worth a try :) First..get a pen and paper. When you actually choose names, make sure it's people you actually know and go with your first instinct. Scroll down one line at a time...and don't read ahead or you'll ruin it! 1. First, write the numbers 1 through 11 in a column. 2. Then, beside numbers 1 and 2, write down any two numbers you want. 3.Beside the 3 and 7, write down the names of members of the opposite sex. 4. Write anyone's name (like friends or family....) in the 4th, 5th, and 6th spots. 5. Write down four song titles in 8,9,10, and 11. 6.Finally, make a wish. And now the key for the game..... 1. You must tell (the number in space 2) people about this game. 2. The person in space 3 is the one that you love. 3. The person in 7 is one you like but can't work out. 4. You care most about the person you put in 4. 5. The person you name in number 5 is the one who knows you very well. 6. The person you name in 6 is your lucky star. 7. The song in 8 is the song that matches with the person in number 3. 8. The title in 9 is the song for the person in 7. 9. The tenth space is the song that tells you most about YOUR mind. 10. and 11 is the song telling you how you feel about life NOW...post this bulletin (dont reply) within the hour... IF you do.. your wish will come true... If you don't it will become the opposite u must post this in another room in 3 hours!!!! GOOD LUCK