My reply (posted here: http://madlab.org.uk/content/stamp-out-the-ads-free- software-pdf-reader-sprint/comment-page-1/#comment-82529)
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Thanks for commenting Leonard.
One of the purposes of the event is indeed to promote Open Standards, and you’re right that the availability of complete implementations of the various PDF ISO standards in Free Software could be much improved. This event is part of the larger PDF Readers campaign, which is in contact with the developers of Free Software PDF Readers, provides assistance (such as translations) where available, and promotes the GNU PDF project which aims to create a standards compliant set of reader and writer libraries.
However the situation regarding the ISO standards is a complex one, and Free Software PDF readers are suitable for the needs of of most people in most cases, which is as much as can be said of any proprietary PDF reader. Whilst we would much prefer greater standards compliance of the Free Software readers, and will continue to work towards this, using such readers offers real benefits to users now in terms of the freedoms that they protect. This being the case, requesting that governments cease advertising of proprietary readers is a valid goal for the sprint to pursue.
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Sam.