I picked up a document from @chapman_john on the twitter last week. http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/PPN%203_11%20Open%20Standards.pdf.
It’s quite an interesting, if ambiguous document, but in essence extends and formalises the Government position on preference for open standards when procuring IT systems. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20091111095652/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/cio/transformational_government/open_source.aspx
In my opinion this is a good thing.
My concerns with the document revolve around the definition of Open, the prescription of International standards and the issues surrounding IPR. Have a read through and see if you are clear which standards you should be using?
So I emailed my questions back to the contact listed in the form, and then promptly read a post from Adam Cooper highlighting a survey by the Cabinet office on How we define Open, which standards should be used etc..
Almost like an answer to prayer, except involving technical standards.
Anyway, the survey is up :
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/UKGovOpenStandards
I would encourage you to answer the questions relating to your field of interest. The cynical part of me doesn’t really believe it’ll make much difference, but I’m delighted at the prospect, and also encouraged that the cabinet office is using surveymonkey…
