Re: [libreoffice-marketing] An office Suite Ballot

On 11/28/2012 04:26 AM, goldfish@aol.in wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Can we try to have Governments mandate an 'office Suite Ballot' on new 
> PCs, something like how the Europeans have a browser ballot?
> Can Opera help us with expertise in this regard?
>
> Can some legislators help with bills to help ODF gain popularity?
>
> I think this can help spread LibreOffice.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Regards,
> Paul

Interesting approach, but I wonder who is the best person to help with 
creating a ballot.  I think that it needs to be someone who understands 
the legal terminology and what a ballot needs for correct wording and 
such. There are specific requirements to get a ballot properly worded 
and then get it sponsored by enough people to place it in contention in 
the ballot process.  I know some of the things it takes to get something 
on a local ballot and I do not envy the people who has to go through all 
the mess and hassles to do the process.

The philosophy behind mandating [think forcing] what can be used or not 
used is a tricky one.  Right now, MS forces people to use their 
products, for many reasons.  Now a mandate will force the governments to 
use some other product.  Yes, having a mandate to start using open 
source, in a certain percentage of new system purchases, would be 
great.  Yet, I would rather see users choose ODF and LO over being 
forced to use them.

The USA has an open source mandate, but it is not a 100% movement to 
open source products and open document formats.  That mandate will start 
the process though.

I would like to see a mandate to look at the open source options before 
any purchases of computer software, with the specific reasons why they 
have to buy the software over getting it free.  Make then explain in 
detail why they have to spend "our money" on MS and other costly 
software in these times where there is a need to cut spending.



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