Microsoft's Open Office XML specifications will be scrutinised by government technocrats in Geneva this week to determine if improvements Microsoft has made to it overcome technical problems noted by ISO members last September.
Microsoft has failed in its initial effort to fast-track the Office Open XML (OOXML) document file format as an international standard but it will have another chance in early 2008.
Contrary to claims by the US Department of Defense that Office Open XML might lead to increased security concerns, vendor lock-in and backwards compatibility issues, Microsoft claims that OOXML resolves exactly these issues.
IBM has taken Microsoft to task over its service-oriented architecture (SOA) approach, claiming the software maker relied too much on Windows-oriented, proprietary standards.
Microsoft disclosed on Wednesday the main design goals for the "Katmai" edition of its SQL Server database, which is due next year.
Steve Jobs' backflip on a key aspect of the iPhone stood out from a normal day -- broadband furore, antagonistic marketing, personal attacks and government inaction -- in the world of Australia's telecoms market.
An emerging Web development technique promises to shake up the status quo in PC software and blur the line between desktop and Web applications.
A distinction that Microsoft is making between professional and standard versions of Office 2003 means that many customers may not get all the features they've been expecting, including broad support for Web services.
Microsoft, BEA Systems and Tibco Software on Wednesday published a specification designed to communicate events between Web services.
The software giant's recent XML-related patent applications highlight the struggle between open and proprietary.
XML-based protocols, or Web Services, are gaining popularity. But expanded use means greater concerns over security. Additional reading: Web Services 101
While Microsoft Office System is the most complete suite on the block, there's no compelling reason for everyone to upgrade.
Microsoft this week plans to deliver the first test release of a new version of its Office software intended to rejuvenate sales and stave off competitors.
Microsoft says it's opening its Office desktop software by adding support for XML--a move that should help companies free up access to shared information. But there's a catch: It has yet to disclose the underlying XML dialect.
The next version of Microsoft's Office software will run only on the latest releases of the company's operating systems, leaving older OS users in the dark.
Microsoft this week gave customers a look at forthcoming development and management tools that are part of the company's long-term plans for the product.
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