<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">IMO:</font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>Good points Michael.</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt><br>
> I'm not looking to start a debate, but...</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>ditto. (perhaps I should stay out of this...)</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt><br>
> <br>
> >> We call on all governments to:<br>
> >><br>
> >> 1. Procure only information technology that implements
free and<br>
> open standards;</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>This is desirable, however consider:</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>There is often existing proprietary technology in
use that meets the requirements of a business. There may have been a significant
investment over a large period of time to implement and use this technology.
The business unit may not have achieved its return on investment. There
may also have been a significant investment in training end users in this
product range. Another consideration is the availability of trained users
and consultants within industry. Another is the overhead in data conversion
of significant repositories, and the potential for lost context during
the conversion process (e.g. topology).</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>Considering the above, it may not be realistic to
expect this to occur quickly.</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>This is something that needs to be phased in strategically
over time, if it makes sense to do so.</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>From my viewpoint it is more important to make sure
that data maintained within these 'proprietary systems' is able to be freely
shared using open standards. This can be implemented parallel to the proprietary
systems. </tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>In time systems can be converted when investment decisions
allow and business functionality is met.</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt><br>
> >> 2. Deliver e-government services based exclusively
on free and open<br>
> standards;</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>This another of those 'holy war' issues that never
seem to go away and flair up from time to time.</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>Not all countries, or even government organisations
within countries have the same liberal approaches to free and open access
to data that the US and Canada do.</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>Many organisations still have their budgets tied to
sales of 'licenses' to their data. There are also security issues for some
countries.</tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>We can have open access to data as a goal, but don't
expect overnight success.</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>Also there is a significant demand for governments
to provide data in someone's favourite format, so that they don't have
to do the conversion into 'their' spatial tool.</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt><br>
> >> 3. Use only free and open digital standards in their
own<br>
> activities.<br>
> >></tt></font>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>Again desirable.</tt></font>
<br><font size=2><tt> </tt></font>
<br><font size=2><tt>My comments to point 1 above are also relevent here.</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>Bruce Bannerman</tt></font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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