Standards body Ecma International has created a committee to standardise Microsoft Office document formats, handing the software giant a victory in an intensifying struggle over desktop software.
The company behind Web-based word processor Writely announced on Monday that it will handle documents saved in the OpenDocument format.
The next version of Microsoft Office will be "dramatically better" as a platform for creating applications, according to Bill Gates, Microsoft's chairman and chief software architect.
The OpenDocument Format has been submitted to the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), according to OASIS, the standards body that developed the format.
The group behind the OpenDocument standard has submitted the document format to a key standards organisation, a move that could make open-source desktop applications more attractive to governments.
A group of companies working on Web services specifications is calling for a new standard to handle desktop application documents.
Multiple standards muddy the waters and keep customers from taking the Web services plunge.
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.
Disagreement over intellectual property issues could derail a new Web services standards effort.
XML has been called everything from the technology that will revolutionise the Web to a nuisance. What's really the story?
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.
Do you Google Wave?
If you want attention online, then mention that you have a couple of Google Wave invites to giveaway and watch… Watch it now
Thunderbird 3 takes flight
Thunderbird 3 is finally here, after a gestation period measured in
years. The latest version of Mozilla's fr… Watch it now
Google Chrome beta for Mac
It's not fully baked yet, but Google Chrome for Mac reaches a major milestone with the release of an official … Watch it now
How do you build a smarter planet?
Having problems with complex data center? Simplify your data center now.
Welcome to National Censorship Day
That sinking Tcard feeling
The challenge of government 2.0
Best Servers
Want to find out what the best servers are?
Check out the top rated here!
Optus Deal
Broadband + home phone + PlayStation®3 in a single package price!
Click here for more!
Best Laptops
Check out the best laptops here!
Click here for more.
