MA To Adopt Short-Term Plug-in Strategy for ODF

feminazi writes "Massachusetts is committed to saving documents in Open Document Format. Massachusetts is also committed to using applications that are accessible. Therefore, the Jan. 1, 2007, deadline for the executive branch to begin using applicationsv that default to ODF is being postponed until the applications can be proven to be accessible. 'Instead, the state will on a near-term basis adopt a plug-in strategy to fulfill its policy calling for executive-branch agencies to make use of ODF ... ITD will be following through with testing of the ODF plug-ins in preparation for a phased rollout, expected to begin later this year.'"

Comments

Accessibility of ODF

[Noksagt]

To the best of my knowledge, OO.o works well with all accessibility aids that work across all programs in the operating system. It is true that there are a few applications which only work with Microsoft Office (and, particularly, only work with Word), but it is my impression that those tools are in the minority. However, where are the holes? Why can't the disabled use some of these other applications (just as other workers are being asked to use StarOffice or OO.o instead of MS Office)?

This article begs other questions too:

Who will be making the decision (presumably the accessibility lab of ITD)? By what criteria will they make it? Is there a deadline for the decision? Can the ODF plugin for Office be configured to save ODF by default?

Delayed rollout

[Recovering Hater]

The article stated that the delay was based in part on the fact that the major open source solutions for odf like OpenOffice do not yet support magnifiers and screen readers needed by people with disabilities. I wonder how long it will take for those functions to become a part of the open source office suites out there? Just a question. I am really hoping Mass will roll out open source office software and prove that it is indeed as robust and useful as Microsoft office. Like that isn't the general attitude around here.

Re:Delayed rollout

[archen]

Why are screen magnifiers a part of an office suite anyway? This should be done by the Operating system (windowing system or whatever). You just make the application more complicated and do a piss poor job of really overcomming the problem. For instance you magnify the office suite text, then cut and paste it somewhere else but then have problems reading it because the magnifacation ONLY works for the office suite.

OSX has built in support for screen magnifacation and can read any text you select. I'm pretty sure windows 2000 and higher can do the same.

Re:Delayed rollout

[CastrTroy]

I wonder how long it will take for those functions to become a part of the open source office suites out there?

I wonder how long it will take for them to come out with specialized office suites for those with disabilities instead of bolt on solutions to existing office suites. An application with a GUI doesn't make much sense for someone who is blind. Creating a new office suite specifically for use by those with disabilities would make a lot more sense then trying to bolt on something to existing office suites.

Doesnt matter in the long run.

[Jahz]

But the only office applications that could do that -- such as the open-source OpenOffice and Sun Microsystems Inc.'s StarOffice -- are not fully supported by the major screen readers and magnifiers that people with disabilities use.

Well hopefully this will cause the OO.org people to add support for such devices very quickly. That would be a net gain for the suite and also show MA that community supported software can work and tailor to their needs.

On another note... this should read "Microsoft Office Granted Temporary Injunction in MA"

Is thas a backdoor MS move?

[macurmudgeon]

While the concept of accessibility is incredibly important, JAWS, the most used screen reader is totally tied to Microsoft products. Did Microsoft come back through the back door with accessibility to derail the Open Format initiative?

On the other hand, maybe this will give some impetus for Open Office to get into bed with the accessibility people.

Re:So if I read it right, then...

[Jahz]

True, but remember this is a phased rollout. The ODF plug-ins should be limited to people with disabilities. In the private sector I really would'nt care, however as a resident of MA, I think differently. You and I both know that VERY few people will switch to OO.org if MS Office is allowed to stay. I want Office removed from the default install of MA government machines. Maybe just give excel, etc to people who REALLY need it. That software is expensive, and the costs for ten or hundreds of thousands of site-licensed machines is enourmous. MA is a cash strapped right now. That money is better spent fixing their collapsing tunnel system.

Accessibility FUD

[Pecisk]

It is clear pro-Microsoft move. I just don't buy accessibility argument for few reasons, mentioned bellow:
1) It is clear, that if MA would start to addopt OpenOffice/StarOffice, without doubt there would be plentful of small programming companies who would like to provide plugins/additional apps with OpenOffice.org support. Addoption is slow thingy in any case, so while pilot would be done, access apps would be already aviable. It is just matter of signal what MA sends to software companies;
2) And it is bullocks that Sun itself can't provide accessiblity features/addons to SunOffice. Sun has been big pioneer in this and I think it is clearly "if it doesn't work with Microsoft tools, it doesn't work at all" attitude we see here;

Of course, just my 2 cents