Many already have, and brush wars are raging as companies and investors try to lock down generic names that some critics say should be open to all users.

FORBES: Cybersquatters Get Rich New Territories With Generic Domains

Second, a stumbling block could emerge from ICANN's efforts to hold an open and fair election among all Internet users to choose nine new members for its 19-member board.

CNN: New domains at last

Open architectures are all about choice, allowing users to choose the components best suited for their needs.

FORBES: Red Hat's Formula for an Open Cloud

More advanced users can use the squiggle line to expose all open apps, and then use the gaze-and-delete trick to select one.

ENGADGET: Hands-on with Tobii REX, a peripheral that brings eye-tracking to any Windows 8 PC (video)

On 28 October, Microsoft announced that it was starting technical trials that would lead to all the users of its Windows Live service being enrolled in Open ID in 2009.

BBC: Typewriter,

Users can view changes, notes and edits from all collaborators in the FileSpace without having to open the file.

ENGADGET: CloudOn outs v3.0: iPhone compatibility, optimization for 7-inch tablets and SkyDrive integration