On Mon, Apr 11, 2011 at 11:14 AM, Sudev Barar <[email protected]> wrote:

> On 11 April 2011 10:52, Vickram Crishna <[email protected]> wrote:
> [SNIP]
> > 1. The website must be compatible with internationally accepted standards
> > for openness and accessibility, as endorsed from time to time for use,
> and
> > avoid the use of proprietary formats that force users into purchasing or
> > accepting restrictive proprietary conditions.
> >
>
>
> Very well put Vickram.
>
> But why restrict choice from people on using open or proprietary
> tools? Let us concentrate on making sure that open tools are
> compatible for accessing and payment.
>

As I said before: "proprietary formats that force users into purchasing
or accepting restrictive proprietary conditions."

If there are proprietary tools that /do not/ force users into making such
choices, why would we be iconoclastic? I don't know of any, but there may be
some. Even mp3 is a standard that is technically proprietary, although very
commonly in use, and using it forces me to accept some restrictive
conditions, that I technically violate from time to time in my usage. That
is my choice, but it should not be forced upon me in order to access
information about the Jan Lokpal Bill, or even participating in the
processes adopted for rapid formulation of the Bill in a manner acceptable
to the people for whom this Government exists.

Your second point, ensuring that open source tools are compatible for
accessibility and payment options, using open source tools is a decision
that can be freely made by website owners. Are you suggesting that
compliance with, for instance, W3C standards is incompatible with online
payments? If this is the case, then this is a fantastic opportunity for
Indian techies to step up to the plate and fix the problems. Separately,
there should be a mechanism for the Government to sponsor such developments,
but why should we wait for that?

If, on the other hand, some bank has chosen to employ a particular
proprietary technology in order to manage its enterprise, if that goes
against the ethos of the country as supported by the guidelines and
recommendations adopted, in terms of making it impossible to transact
business without using proprietary tools, then the bank must rectify its
mistake, preferably according to a public commitment and deadline. As far as
I can see, from my own experience and from that reported by people on this
and other lists, it is not as big a problem as it used to be some years
back, and any bank that stubbornly refuses to comply does not deserve public
support.

>
>
> PS: Replying using bottom post/in-line post makes email conversations
> whole lot easier for meaningful dialogue. Snip out what is not
> relevant. Adopt this and spread the message.
>



-- 
Vickram
Fool On The Hill <http://communicall.wordpress.com>
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