Microsoft Office 2007 will be compatible with Open Office

[Phat Pat]

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/07...ith_OpenOffic/

"Posted 15:30 - 7 July 2006 - by Brett Thomas

Microsoft is embracing the Open Office standard.

It seems that just when we're getting used to enjoying Microsoft twist in the wind over some big-business style uproar, it does something to take the wind out of our sails. Sadly, Wednesday was no different, as Microsoft once again proved that it has a bit of consumer interest and open-standard love at heart: Office 2007 will have support for ODF files.

I'll insert a dramatic pause here while the users of the ever popular Open Office pick their jaws back up.

Yes, Microsoft is not only accepting an open standard, but embracing it as a step forward to Open XML in general. Office Programmer Brian Jones had this to say on the matter:

There has been a push in Microsoft for better interoperability and this is another great step in that direction. We already have the PDF and XPS support for Office 2007 users that unfortunately had to be separated out of the product and instead offered as a free download. There will be a menu item in the Office applications that will point people to the downloads for XPS, PDF, and now ODF. So you'll have the ability to save to and open ODF files directly within Office (just like any other format).

A very interesting (and unusual) feature of this plugin is that MS will host it on Sourceforge as completely open-source, in an effort to stick with the Open XML concept. That means it can be maintained and evolve as Open Office does, so that the plug-in does not become out of date with each new revision of OO.

It's times like these that make me want to just go hug someone, what with all the free love and respect for other software and all. Oh, nevermind, I'm over it now, but the announcement is still pretty cool."

I'm in shock. It's a small step, but one in the right direction.

[Áedán]

Yeah, right. Those who don't think that MS have another agenda really need to think again.

[Staz]

You know Aedan, Microsoft has been very predatory in the past. However if you notice what Bill Gates is doing with his money personally there is a different story. He has started giving it away. Albiet to a charity orginizatio created by his wife and named for him and his wife. However he has [ledged to give away more than half of his money. And not just software like he used to for tax breaks, but actual money.

Remember that Bill Gates turned 50 last October. There is a very good chance that he has looked back on his life and realised his own mortality. He may have come to the conclusion that there is such a thing as being to greedy.

[aghastpumpkin]

He's famous for his charity work...
He's giving billions away. He's been responsible for thousands of schools, wells, houses and clinics in Africa.

[Daniel ~]

I wonder if Office 2007 will run on a windows platform.
...":O}

Oh, yeah, Bill's my hero.

[Daniel ~]

Originally Posted by aghastpumpkin

He's famous for his charity work...
He's giving billions away. He's been responsible for thousands of schools, wells, houses and clinics in Africa.

Then money can buy anything?

Dig deep, what else has Bill been responsible for?

[Phat Pat]

Originally Posted by Daniel ~

I wonder if Office 2007 will run on a windows platform.
...":O}

barely

[Áedán]

Originally Posted by Staz

You know Aedan, Microsoft has been very predatory in the past. However if you notice what Bill Gates is doing with his money personally there is a different story. He has started giving it away.

Oh yeah, I noticed that. I noticed that he has given money in the past, especially to govenments in poorer countries. I've also noticed that it tends to come at a time when MS were trying to push said governments not to move to non-MS solutions. Call me cynical, but I don't think that MS is about to change it's spots.

[cloasters]

It's very easy to envy The Bill enough to have a natural dislike for him. That said, his charity comes with strings attached sometimes. Is that real charity?

[Gizmo]

Originally Posted by Daniel ~

Then money can buy anything?

Evidently.

[Daniel ~]

For me it's like this:

No matter how many women a man rapes, he'll never be a father. No matter how many toys he sends on birthdays.