Microsoft Ends Era Of Closed File Formats

RzUpAnmsCwrds writes "According to an MSDN Channel 9 interview with an Office file-format developer, the next version of Microsoft Office (Office 12) will default to newly-developed XML file formats in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The new formats will apparently include XML files along with other files (images, etc) inside of a Zip file. Microsoft will also be providing extensive documentation of the new format to the public through MSDN. The developer likewise announced that Microsoft would be releasing updates for Office 2000, XP, and 2003 to read and write the new formats when the new version of Office is released. If this interview is correct, it could mean the beginning of the end of Microsoft's proprietary file formats." Coverage at Beta News, Information Week, and the Washington Post.

Comments

Re:Loosing lock-in capability?

[Threni]

I think ewe should let loose you're grammar chequer.

Embrace and extend

[DogcowX]

Sure it will be XML. It will be that embraced and extended XML M$ keeps talking about... Sure you'll give us the details, but a non-standard XML implementation isn't really "open".

Re:Sound familiar?

[doublem]

Silence!!!

Microsoft innovated the concept. Microsoft was the first to market with such a revolutionary data storage technique.

On the fly compression of documents was Microsoft's idea.

Microsoft innovated. Microsoft developed the Graphical User Interface. Apple stole it, and did it poorly. They can't even figure out a use for the second mouse button!

Microsoft and it's developers are always first. No one else is ever first.

Windows Media Player was the first to support MP3 ripping.

And when IE 7 comes out, it will be the first to introduce a revolutionary new feature, Tabbed Browsing!

Commit no thought crime. Remember, if it's good and has to do with computers, Microsoft innovated it.