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MICROSOFT DETAILS NEW APPROACH TO COMPETITION
DC POLICY SPEECH HIGHLIGHTS EMERGING ERA IN TECH SECTOR
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In this issue of the FINFlash Update...
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LEAD STORY: INNOVATION AND INTEROPERABILITY KEY TO IT SECTOR COMPETITION
Yesterday at Washington, DC’s National Press Club, Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith outlined the company’s principles for encouraging competition and innovation in the Windows ecosystem. “As creators of an operating system used so widely around the world, we recognize that we have a special responsibility, both to advance innovation and to help preserve competition in the information technology industry. We take this responsibility very seriously,” said Smith to a packed house of journalists, policy analysts and government officials. Smith went on to detail 12 Microsoft tenets that will encourage innovation for the benefit of computer manufacturers, software developers and consumers.
Read Brad Smith’s Speech
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/bradsmith/07-19-06WindowsPrinciples.mspx
LEGAL FOLLOW-UP: MICROSOFT ARGUES CLARITY, NOT COMPLIANCE, AT ISSUE IN EU
On July 12, the European Commission, the administrative arm of the European Union, fined Microsoft 280.5 million euros ($357 million), which the company will appeal. Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith noted that the company has made “good-faith efforts over the past two years” to meet the EC’s technology-licensing and documentation mandate, but that the “lack of clarity” of the original decision led to the new sanctions. EC Competition Commissioner praised Microsoft’s recent effort as “an extremely good job,” but said that it had come too late.
Read more...
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=190400070
TECHNOLOGY NEWS: MICROSOFT SUPPORTS OPEN XML TRANSLATOR PROJECT
On July 5, Microsoft announced its sponsorship of an open source software project to create tools that will provide a bridge between Microsoft Office Open XML Formats and OpenDocument Formats (ODF). These tools will be made available as free, downloadable add-ins for Microsoft Office products. Microsoft Office will not natively support ODF technology, but the new XML Translator tools will enable greater interoperability with applications that use ODF.
Read more...
http://www.gcn.com/blogs/tech/41294.html
TECH TIP: HOW TO GET READY FOR WINDOWS VISTA
In early 2007, Microsoft will make Windows Vista available for consumers around the world. The newest operating system from Microsoft, Windows Vista will offer enhanced tools, increased security, and a vibrant new look and feel. If you’re planning on buying a new PC in the coming months, you can find out which models are capable of running Windows Vista at the “Get Ready” Web site. You can also download a free tool to determine if your current computer is Windows Vista-ready.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/default.mspx
TAKE THE NEW TECH TRIVIA CHALLENGE
Here’s another Tech Trivia question that tests your knowledge -- or online searching ability.
Competitive government contracts help drive innovation. NASA was one of the first customers for an early laptop computer, which rode on the Space Shuttle. What was this computer called?
- Gavilan SC
- IBM AP-101
- GriD Compass
- Osborne 1
- Sharp PC-5000
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, “Where have you used WiFi to connect to the Internet?”
Go to 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: http://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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