"Fred A. Miller" wrote:
Microsoft upgrades have two purposes. One is obvious -- cash flow. The other purpose is to cut off your avenues of escape. Every version breaks compatibility with other software to which you might transition. When UCITA passes in Washington State, it will be illegal to reverse Microsoft software for the purpose of importing its data files.
I wonder about that. I'd think that the prohibitions on reverse engineering would apply to the processing but not to the output. The case seems very strong that you can determine data formats merely by trying various input documents and seeing what output they produce without ever attempting to discover the design of the program itself. In any event, there's certainly a countercurrent to UCITA, and much of it comes from enterprises that have no particular interest in Linux. It might make it through in Washington State because Microsoft is to Washington as the auto industry is to Michigan. But as long as it isn't a Federal statute, there's nothing to stop someone from doing reverse engineering in Maine or New Mexico. Paul