Imagine if the Declaration of Independence was written in "Word 1776." What are the odds that we'd be able to open that original document today?
Great quote by David Egts, Principal Solutions Architect at Red Hat, Inc., in a interview on the WashingtonPost.com web site Viewpoint. He was highlighting the importance of not only Open Source but Open Standards in everything from business to government. There is a lot of talk of companies that are struggling through these rough economical times and the Open Source road maps that can help them through. Those exact "road maps" are also being explored for government implementation which I personally think is long over due.
The discussion with David Egts was a great forum that allowed the public at large to ask direct questions. David Egts covers a wide range of topics. It's a good read. Suggest you go over to the web site and check it out.