An open society, if it utilizes communications systems, requires open 
standards. The personal computer revolution and the internet have 
resulted in a vast new wave of internet users. These new users have a 
material interest in the technical standards that proscribe their 
communications. These new users make new demands on the 
standardization processes, often with the rallying cry, "Open 
Standards." As is often the case, a rallying cry means many different 
things to different people. This paper explores the different 
requirements suggested by the term Open Standards. Perhaps when 
everyone agrees on what requirements open standards serve, it will be 
possible to achieve them and maintain the open society many crave.

http://research.yale.edu/isp/osis/papers/Krechmer%20Position%20Paper.pdf

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