IBM joins forces with OpenOffice.org to contribute code and resources starting with the iAccessible2 accessibility tool. Once it's assimilated into OpenOffice.org, it'll make ODF more attractive to governments, which often require that the technology they purchase be accessible to all of their users, including the disabled.

"...This much is clear - arguing about HTML vs plain text or complaining about standards support in email isn't going to get us anywhere. It's time to get off our butts and actually help email client manufacturers to introduce better standards support..."

Is it time to standardize ISO? In light of the recent events relating to the standardization process of EOOXML, it seems appropriate to look into possible standardization of the process itself.

Zürich’s two big universities (ETH and UZH) have a joint laptop discount program for all of their students and staff. Starting this fall, you can get these laptops without Windows, giving you a price reduction of ~76 Euro. This was made possible by a student’s organisation at the ETH.

Late last month, evidence emerged indicating that Microsoft has used financial incentives to influence the outcome of Office Open XML (OOXML) fast-track approval in various national standards bodies. Although ISO ended up voting against fast-track approval for OOXML, the company's efforts have created doubts about the reliability of the standards process.

AMD announced on Sept 7 a major strategic change in open-source graphic processors support. It announced it would provide open-source information and a development package supporting the ATI RadeonHD 2000 series ATI Radeon X1000 series of graphics processing units on Linux desktops.

"Lots of news this month!

Heavily funded by the European Union, the Science, Education, and Learning in Freedom (SELF) consortium launched the beta version of its site this week with the motto, "Be SELFish, share your knowledge!" By the end of the year, SELF hopes to develop into the Wikipedia of free learning materials, with a heavy emphasis on material about open standards and free and open source software (FOSS).