Explains the risks of exchanging data in non-public format and suggests the main alternatives.

Short document with instructions to MS-Word users on alternatives they can use for document exchange.

Without standards, every job is a one-off, and vendor lock-in is assured after the first project. Open standards are the beating heart of e-Business, without which concepts like intranets and business-to-business commerce would not be practical on a mass scale. (February 20, 2002)

Campaign for replacing the (formerly) patent-encumbered GIF format by open standard graphics. Since the GIF formats has become patent-free, the site advocates against software patents.

Paper investigating economical issues related to the diffusion of public standards. (May 9, 2002)

Article on formats interoperability in audio and video content.

Investigates the effects of patent proliferation and criticizes reasonable and non-discriminatory license terms (RAND) for patented technologies.

Argues in favor of using HTML instead of proprietary word formats.

The goal of the Linux Standard Base (LSB) is to develop and promote a set of standards that will increase compatibility among Linux distributions and enable software applications to run on any compliant Linux system.

Argues in favor of patent-free standards and suggests recommended formats for different kinds of content.

Explains the appropriate use of document formats and argues against the use of Word attachments.

Why not use proprietary formats and what are the main open alternatives.

Initiative aiming to convince software companies to release data format documentation and to pass laws that governments can only store user data in open format. Presents its manifesto, forum, news, links to institutional resolutions.

An association of CAD customers and vendors committed to promoting open, industry-standard formats for the exchange of CAD data. Hisotry, members, FAQ, and published papers.

Supports efforts by governments at all levels to ensure public documents are open and interoperable and thus available without the need for proprietary software. Includes resources and details of how to get involved.

Draws a distinction between open source advocacies and the promotion of public standards, warning against the confusion of these two initiatives.

What is a standard, what is an open standard, and why use open standards on the Internet.

Internet technologies and the economical challenge of open protocols. (May 1, 2001)

Archive of standards relevant to the Open Source community, including licenses, public standards, protocols, RFCs.

Illustrates the principles behind format standardization and the practice of promoting formats interoperability.

Collaborative documentation projects on why use public standards and open formats and why avoid proprietary formats in data exchange.

A not-for-profit organization connecting people to open standards and the bodies that build and foster their growth.

A discussion of the problems of MSWord as a document exchange format and what alternatives are available. Suitable for a non-technical audience.

Intercommunication and file formats should follow standards that are sincerely open for all to implement, without royalty fees or discrimination.

Benefits of the development of open specifications for audio and video formats. By Rich Mavrogeanes.