Association for Competitive Technology Executive to Address State of Massachusetts OpenDocument Format Controversy at the Gilbane Conference on Content Management Technologies Boston

Business Wire, Nov 29, 2005

BOSTON -- Q&A Session to Offer Attendees Information on why ACT is Supporting Microsoft's Position Against Standardizing on the OpenDocument Format

WHO:
    David Berlind, Executive Editor of ZDNet, will interview Morgan
    Reed, Vice President of the Association for Competitive Technology
    (ACT).

WHAT:
    The State of Massachusetts is currently embroiled in a controversy
    about its decision to standardize on the OASIS OpenDocument Format
    (ODF). ODF competes with the Microsoft Office format, and the
    decision is strongly opposed by Microsoft. The Association for
    Competitive Technology (ACT), a lobbying organization focused on
    the "...interests of small and mid-size entrepreneurial technology
    companies..." also opposes the State's decision. David will quiz
    Morgan why ACT is supporting Microsoft's position.

WHERE:
    Live on the stage in the exhibit area of the Gilbane Conference at
    the Essex ballroom at Westin Copley in Boston.

WHEN:
    Thursday, December 1, 1:00 p.m.

WHY:
    The Massachusetts decision is being watched very closely by other
    state and national governments as well as private industry, and if
    it stands, it will have dramatic effects on both the technology
    governments buy, and on the way they manage and store all their
    documents.  This interview is a chance to hear what is really at
    stake, and why a lobbying organization for small technology
    companies would support Microsoft's position.

MORE INFORMATION:

    -- Full Conference Program:
http://www.lighthouseseminars.com/gilbane_boston_05/ConferenceProgram.
html (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into
your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one
exists.)

    --  Press/Media Sponsors - Evan Weisel, (703) 628-5754,
        evan@w2comm.com