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I believe that all pervasive technologies ultimately evolve into social utilities. One of my favorite examples is electricity. What started as a luxury for one very wealthy man, J. P. Morgan, became a technology that governments around the world invested in to empower their citizenry. It took almost a decade for those deploying electricity to settle on a few standards, but standardized electricity transformed economies and created opportunity for billions of people across the globe. Electricity is not alone. All social utilities require standardization to stimulate development, remove barriers to participation, and expand the market. In the 19th century, moving goods around the United States was incredibly inefficient and expensive. Why? Because freight had to be loaded, unloaded, and then re-loaded whenever differing railways connected — they all had their own proprietary set of rail sizes, widths, and gauges. Over time, wiser minds prevailed and standards were set. Railroad companies saw a massive increase in the opportunity to sell — not rails — but locomotives, rail cars, shipping services, and freight to be shipped on those rail cars. Standards enabled a rising tide, a far broader market, and big efficiencies in manufacturing and service delivery. Next time you think about Java think about it as the standard rail gauge for the Internet. The Very Real Risk of Proprietary Technology This isn't an imaginary scenario — it happened in New Orleans last year. It seems plainly wrong for a government to suggest that its citizens purchase any type of software before reading a storm warning or applying for disaster relief. In a democratic society, agencies, corporations or individuals that serve the public's interest should be free to do so without burdening their constituents with an obligation to purchase one company's product. Rather than stand by, we are working with you — our customers and partners alike — along with a broad range of competitors and a cross section of global industry and library associations. We are all banded together around the Open Document Format (ODF) Alliance to promote a standard for the free interchange of document-based information. A standard that doesn't require any one company's technology, or a royalty check or fear of patent litigation. A standard that leverages a common interest in having a free, open and neutral standard to which any company, individual or government can subscribe. The promise of the Internet is unlike anything the world has ever seen before. It heightens transparency, broadens economic opportunity, speeds social progress, and drives efficiency. And there is nothing but more opportunity over the horizon. But without free standards that potential is at risk. Sun's Commitment to Free Standards I encourage all of you to get involved in the ODF Alliance or any other project that drives open standards for your business' interests — and for the public's interest. There's no better way to expand the market than to tear down the barriers to choice. Jonathan Schwartz |
