Openization

Voluntary Industry Standards

9 years ago
by John Gøtze in ,

While in Washington, I met Bob Haycock, the program manager of the Federal Enterprise Architecture, FEAPMO. His work is important, and is inspirational.

Today, OMB published the E-Gov Enterprise Architecture Guidance (Common Reference Model, download pdf), which describes a Federal-wide E-Gov target conceptual architecture, about which is said:

“The architecture is based on the business requirements derived from the initiatives as well as system engineering design best practices. It provides a workable description of the components needed by E-Gov Initiatives and business activities to move rapidly into the web service-enabled business transaction environment.”

This is a must-read.

OMB has also just published a CBA (Component-Based Architecture) White Paper, which outlines a set of recommendations encompassing the selection of tools, technologies and standards that should be considered when implementing new systems and/or components to support the 24 Presidential priority E-Gov initiatives. This document is more or less what UK would call an e-GIF.

Quote:
“Success can be based on the extent to which the CBA will support the efficient and
effective development, acquisition, use, and operation and maintenance of IT to support
business operations. For that, the FEA-PMO has recommended a set of technologies that
support both industry-proven standards and emerging technologies. Together, these
technologies provide a forward-thinking set of capabilities targeted at completing the 24
Presidential Priority E-Gov initiatives, while providing a foundation for growth,
interoperability, integration and expansion. The list is intended as a starter set based on
their relevancy to E-Gov. It was intended that this serve as a point to begin considering
relevant standards and to serve as a place wherein appropriate and obvious voluntary
industry standards can at least be included in an architectural context.”

It will be interesting to follow how the guidelines and the CBA will be implemented.

It will also be interesting to see how the preference for open standards will be handled.

A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

9 years ago
by John Gøtze in

When I read the NY Times article Balancing Linux and Microsoft about Bruce Perens and his new initiative, Sincere Choice, which is a response to the recent Initiative for Software Choice, which Microsoft sponsors, I came to think of Jack Worthing’s closing words in ”The Importance of Being Earnest – A Trivial Comedy for Serious People“, Oscar Wilde’s 1895-classic:



“On the contrary, Aunt Augusta, I’ve now realised for the first time in my life the vital Importance of Being Earnest.”


Microsoft = Earnest ? Hmm.


The Initiative for Software Choice encourage governments to consider the following “neutral principles”:



The rhetoric is strong. They almost shoot themselves in the foot a couple of times, for example here: “Governments are best served when they can select software from a broad range of products based on such considerations as value, total cost of ownership, feature set, performance and security.” Exactly! So, why put up long-term licencing deals, which by nature takes away the choice?


The Global Software Choice Tracker on their site is useful, but a bit too selective.


Sincere Choice sets up parallel principles:



To spot the difference, one must read what they mean. For example, they write: “Intercommunication and file formats should follow standards that are sincerely open for all to implement, without royalty fees or discrimination. [...] No user should be required to use a particular product simply because other users do. Competing products should interoperate with each other through open standards.” Naturally, this would not, I assume, apply to Microsoft-policy.


Choice and exit must go hand in hand. Freedom is to be able to choose either, and to have a voice about the choice.


I have invited Bruce Perens to Copenhagen for yet another conference, we’re setting up, on 30 October. I’m still looking for someone from “the other side”, so we can get a counter-part to Perens. Any candidates?

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