I'm quite sure Jay didn't realize he was drawing a political cartoon with The Mows but it's either that, or my mind is slightly skewed into reading between the lines. However, Jay again has managed to capture a unique view (yes, pun intended) on my worlds of open source and standards.
You often hear the phrase "Perception is Reality" used in marketing. A well-turned phrase, it indicates that what someone perceives about your product or service is (their) reality. And often, that reality is contagious, spreading rapidly to make others perceive a similar reality.
Companies often use this concept to distort reality, adding to their own ego-dollar (and real dollar) pile. You know, the ones that say "My car makes you more virile", My clothes make you look thinner", "My products make you better". We hear see and probably even taste this every day.
In open source implementation, self-delusion is not a good idea. Perception is perception and reality is reality. Yet time and again, we see a similar play in marketing of open source. I always like the one: "Microsoft is a bad company, so buy me instead". (Not to say Microsoft isn't a bad company. .., but, just sayin').
Too often open source inside of large companies is "Perception is delusion". I'm seen (and worked for) companies that see themselves as good citizens, while chaos reigns around them. A product is not good just because it's open source; a product is equally not bad just because it isn't open source. Experience the reality, if the product solves your problem, then it is good. And you should be the ultimate arbiter of what solves your problem.
A few companies back, it was decreed that the company would use Exchange and Outlook, because it was the "only calendar system that works". Note the "Perception" here. That perception was created by a failed attempt at other calendaring systems in 1997... yes, 10 years ago. Anybody got a different view? (I certainly do.)
A recent consultation started with the concept that "opening our product would reduce costs". Wrong again. Open sourcing a closed product will always increase costs, in spite of the potential improved QA.
I do admit, when I first saw this comic (and yeah, I visit every day, it's my perceptional delusion), I immediately thought of the recent spin on OOXML and the failed ISO ballot. I leave it to the observer to do the logical proof, but let me point out that a press release is not (or should not be) a reality distortion generator, despite the existence proof of Steve Jobs at Apple. As for the press release, do the math.
While here at Adobe, we have delivered the PDF specification to ISO for standardization, we being very careful to avoid self deception. Note that we haven't managed to buy countries, stack ballots, or anything like that. We are offering to have a conversation (remember that thing about openness, it's a conversation), check out the Inside PDF blog to find out more.
Perception is perception, reality is reality. In open source or open standards, the reality matters. Be it in Posh and Beckham (as Matt Asay points out) or in "The Mows", be sure you are not the one dis-floor-einted
comments welcome
