[oclug] Linux access to Folio Infobase?

[Rod Giffin]

On Wednesday 02 October 2002 01:59 pm, Brian Johnson wrote:
> I emailed them and NFPA - let's see what they say
>
> My guess is that it's not possible, but maybe the shortcoming will prompt
> them to consider another format in the future

I certainly hope so.   I've got a really big beef with CSA and 
NFPA if they're still using proprietary closed file formats.  I would much 
rather PDF, because at least it's now an open standard, or XML, in which case 
the client can choose their format.  I just find it hypocritical that 
organizations that are supposed to support national and international 
standards distribute their material in non-standards based formats - 
especially when it's all ASCII text and bad line drawings.

Just to let you know the IS knowledge level of some the standards committee 
types though, 4 years ago I was working on a project for such a committee, 
and asked for an electronic copy of ISO Guide 17025 (usually called simply 
Guide 25) and a large 4 volume document called the Compendium for short.  
They said they didn't have it in an electronic format.  At the time, I had to 
design a computer system that captured the scientific analysis outlined in 
the Compendium, and capture the data in an ISO 17025 compliant format.
  
I asked them if they used a typewriter to compile the specifications, or a 
pen and paper.  They said, "No, we used Microsoft Word and Word Perfect".
I asked if I could have access to the MS Word and Word Perfect files, to 
which they responded... "Sure, I guess so, but I don't know what good it will 
do you."  So, I explained how the original MS Word and Word Perfect files 
constitute the "electronic copy" I was looking for.

They then wanted to bill me for the files.  Which was fine, because I could 
bill it to the project I was working on... er... for them.   In the end, the 
bill for their own files got marked up 25% and added to the final project 
invoice.  They didn't even flinch.  Go figure.

Rod.