STANDARDS FOR A SMALL PLANET

In this issue we continue our examination of the relationship between the public and private sectors, focusing this time on the future.

At key points in history, governments have provided a vital role in accelerating adoption of crucial standards by the private sector. One such instance was the standardization of railway gauges in the 19th century. Today is another, as governments around the world advance the cause of open standards and open source software.

Standards have traditionally addressed discrete, immutable problems that derive from the laws of physics and nature. The regulations and standards that will be needed to address complex environmental issues will face a greater challenge: how to achieve desired results where there are not only multiple variables, but we don't even know what all of the variables are.

It’s a rare event when competitors have a chance to break a monopoly, and with the adoption of OpenDocument by Massachusetts, many of the largest IT companies in the world are pressing their advantage for all they are worth.  We present a timeline of what has happened since our last issue. 

The WSIS process is building towards a climactic meeting in Tunis in November, with Internet governance as the most contentious issue, and the U.S. standing alone in its position that it should retain control of the Internet root directory. A little noticed posting at the State Department's informational Website tells you how you can tell the U.S. Ambassador ...

Of course they do. Here are three reasons why that you've probably never thought about before