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ADOBE QUESTIONS MICROSOFT PLAN TO USE PDF STANDARD
MICROSOFT OFFICE WILL SUPPORT PDF AS A FREE DOWNLOAD
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In this issue of the FINFlash Update...
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LEAD STORY: DISPUTE OVER PDF RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT OPEN STANDARDS
Last month, Microsoft said that discussions had broken down with Adobe about Microsoft’s plan to include Adobe’s portable document format (PDF) technology in the upcoming release of Microsoft Office. Customers of Microsoft Office have long said that they would like to be able to save documents in the PDF format -- a capability provided by many office productivity programs.
Until now, Adobe had made the PDF format an open standard, available for any company to use. In Microsoft’s case, however, Adobe has demanded that the company provide PDF support only as a separate download and charge a fee. Microsoft agreed to provide PDF technology as a separate download, but will not charge its customers a separate fee. Adobe has said that it may file a legal complaint against Microsoft and expressed concern that Microsoft would “extend” the PDF standard. Microsoft has no intention of modifying the PDF standard, and only wishes to support Office customers who want to save documents as PDFs.
Read more...
http://www.informationweek.com/software/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=188702598
MICROSOFT NEWS: BILL GATES TO RELINQUISH DAY-TO-DAY ROLE AT MICROSOFT
In a story covered in media around the world, Microsoft announced on June 15 that Bill Gates, company chairman and co-founder, will transition out of his daily duties at Microsoft in July 2008. Gates will retain his duties as chairman, but will devote greater day-to-day attention to the operations of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which focuses on global healthcare and education issues.
Learn more...
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/leadership/default.mspx
TECHNOLOGY NEWS: ADVISORY GROUP TO IMPROVE INTEROPERABILITY
On June 14, Microsoft announced the formation of the Interoperability Customer Executive Council. Made up of technology officers from government agencies and global companies, this advisory group will meet twice each year to discuss ways to improve interoperability and data exchange across computer platforms and applications.
Read more...
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1976513,00.asp
LICENSING NEWS: NEW TOOL AUTOMATES CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSING
On June 20, Microsoft and Creative Commons, a nonprofit copyright licensing organization, announced the release of a free tool that enables Microsoft Office users to embed Creative Commons licenses into their documents. These licenses provide flexibility for content creators to retain copyright, yet share their creative works.
Read more...
http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/article.php/3615131
Download the new licensing tool
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=113B53DD-1CC0-4FBE-9E1D-B91D07C76504&displaylang=en
POLICY FOLLOW-UP: FIN MEMBERS HELP BRING ATTENTION TO NET NEUTRALITY
Thank you to FIN members who contacted their U.S. Representatives to support the principles of Net Neutrality. Unfortunately, the Net Neutrality amendment, which would have prevented broadband providers from charging hidden fees to content providers, was not included in the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act (H.R. 5252). Net Neutrality could still be added by the Senate, so we encourage FIN members to email their two Senators, asking them to support Net Neutrality.
Take action now!
http://www.freetoinnovate.com
COMPETITION NEWS: IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED IN EUROPE
In Brussels the European Commission is soon expected to rule on penalizing Microsoft for providing insufficient documentation on Windows Server technology. This ruling could include a new fine against Microsoft by European competition authorities. A separate judgment from the European Court of First Instance on Microsoft’s appeal of a 2004 EC ruling is expected later this year or in 2007. We’ll alert FIN members when the EC makes its announcement.
Read more...
http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=governmentFilingsNews&storyID=2006-06-27T175059Z_01_L27820517_RTRIDST_0_TECH-MICROSOFT-EU-UPDATE-2.XML
TECH TIP: CHECK OUT FIRSTGOV FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PORTAL
Many of us interact with the federal government several times each year. We pay taxes, renew our passports, visit national parks, and on and on. Wouldn’t it be great if you could find government information all in one place? Well, you can at FirstGov -- the single portal for a wealth of information and support from the U.S. government. There’s also a FirstGov Web site just for kids.
http://www.firstgov.gov/
http://www.kids.gov/
TAKE THE NEW TECH TRIVIA CHALLENGE
Here’s another Tech Trivia question that tests your knowledge -- or online searching ability.
Today, computer generated imagery (CGI) is used in a wide range of films, but the technology was first the domain of science fiction movies. What was the first film to be released that used CGI?
- Star Wars
- E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
- Tron
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
To submit your answer and view the answer to the previous question, visit
http://www.freetoinnovate.com/techTrivia.asp
THE FIN PULSE
The FIN Pulse is an informal online poll that lets FIN members see how others use technology and think about policy issues.
This issue we ask, “What Internet communications services have you used?”
Go to http://www.freetoinnovate.com to participate in the FIN Pulse.
Write us with your tips, trivia and FIN Pulse suggestions at msfin@microsoft.com.
Check the FIN online for tech news, policy updates and more
www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/
Need help writing your legislator? You can find tips for communicating with legislators, along with news, tech policy information and more, at the Freedom to Innovate Network Web site: www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate/
Back to top
Write us with your tips, trivia and FIN Pulse suggestions at: msfin@microsoft.com
And remember, it’s never too late to write your legislators to let them know what issues are important to you. To identify and email your legislators, visit: www.freetoinnovate.com
To view Microsoft's privacy policy, please go to: http://www.microsoft.com/info/privacy.mspx
Legal Information. http://www.microsoft.com/info/legalinfo/default.mspx
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