On the doing-actual-work level, governments aren't really different from private companies, so one shouldn't expect dramatically different outcomes. The idea t

On the doing-actual-work level, governments aren't really different from private companies, so one shouldn't expect dramatically different outcomes. The idea that governments' actions should strive for some more idealistic goals isn't entirely wrong. But then again: why should we expect less from private citizens and corporations? They are just as much part of society, have rather more power to influence the software market, and tend to have more money to spent (I've recently seen a government office still using CRT). But mandating open standards: yeah, totally.