In order for a migration to be successful, one needs to be familiar with native Linux applications, and the data needs to be stored in a format that is independent from just a single application.

ODF, an international standard, is an open standard for any vendor to implement without restrictions. Massachusetts recently recognizing both ODF and OOXML as document formats, and Denmark running multi-format document trials. the European Commission has endorsed Open Document while various authorities in Austria, Brazil, France and the United Kingdom have adopted applications that support ODF.

"Linux device software stack vendor Trolltech has acquired Fonav, a vendor of unified messaging software. Trolltech plans to use Fonav's "unified live inbox" application software to enhance its Qtopia stacks for mobile phones and VoIP phones, it said."

Although Microsoft publicly testifies from every available pulpit of their deep longing for multiple document formats, a quick glance at reality shows that this love remains unrequited in their products. For example, what new formats does Office 2007 include out of the box?

This paper provides legal implications of formats and explains why it is better to adopt format based on open standards. Guidelines for implementing open formats are also provided.

The German city of Munich's migration to a vendor independent IT infrastructure is "in time, in budget and on track", says one of the external consultants involved in the project. The city aims to migrate about 80 percent of all the city's fifteen thousand desktop PCs to Ubuntu Linux.

In applying for jobs and contract opportunities, the first hurdle is the request for a CV in a proprietary document format. This article describes the approaches taken and the success stories, one at a time, by which the proprietary document format practices have been successfully changed.

Lenovo finally started shipping SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop on its T-Series ThinkPads for its mainstream business users. Now, the company appears to be considering offering another Linux, very possibly Ubuntu, for the enthusiast market.

"Ogg Vorbis is a new audio compression format. It is roughly comparable to other formats used to store and play digital music, such as MP3, VQF, AAC, and other digital audio formats. It is different from these other formats because it is completely free, open, and unpatented."