RSSMicrosoft to 'Open' Office File Formats
By David Worthington | Published June 2, 2005, 2:01 AM
Ratcheting up its support of XML, Microsoft announced on Thursday that it will release a new Extensible Markup Language (XML) technology that replaces existing Office file formats for Word, Excel and PowerPoint with fully-documented, royalty free formats.
The formats, called Microsoft Office Open XML, will debut in the second half of 2006 with Office 12 and constitute a dramatic upgrade to Office and a broad extension of Microsoft's XML strategy - without the direction of standards bodies.
When it reached into its hopper to outline some of the advantages of the change, Microsoft referred to the formats as being compact and robust by design. Integrated ZIP compression reduces the file size by up to 50 percent and files are broken down even further into a modular file structure that will make data recovery more successful and enhance security.
The new format has a built-in facility that can automatically detect damage, segmenting files into components that can be managed and repaired independently.
Because of this design, undamaged parts of files may still be opened. Microsoft contends that this file structure improves security because potentially dangerous code or sensitive content such as metadata can be stripped out by the content's owner. Microsoft will also rely on partners to build utilities to inspect the XML.
BetaNews has learned that files can be renamed with a .ZIP extension, making those components viewable inside of the ZIP containers.
Interoperability
As a consequence of being XML-based, the interoperability capabilities of Office have risen dramatically. Applications and systems such as databases can access the content of documents and spreadsheets for queries or data entry, making those processes autonomous and virtually hands free.
This capability is part of what Bill Gates referred to as "information solutions and IT fundamentals" -- or the promised benefits of open XML standards and rapid deployment tools that extend Office into business information systems -- in a speech given two weeks ago at the Microsoft CEO Summit.
Offering true interoperability, Microsoft promises that the Office Open XML formats will work the same way with non-Microsoft software and systems such as Oracle SQL Plus or MySQL. Office schemas, which define the structure, layout and rules of documents are built atop the Office 2003 schemas. The new versions are, according to Microsoft, "more complete and better" than their Office 2003 counterparts. Schemas will be open, fully documented and carry a "perpetual" royalty free license.
Is it Truly Open?
When faced with the decision of adopting open standards or remaining proprietary, Microsoft opted to preserve the "full fidelity" of past Office functionality and instead developed its own "open" XML-based format. In saying that the format is "open" Microsoft acquiesces to the state of Massachusetts. Under the state's "Open Standards" policy, a format is open if it is fully documented and anyone can use it.
For comparison's sake, it should be noted that Adobe's PDF format is also designated as being "open" under the state's guidelines.
"We have legacy here," Jean Paoli, Senior Microsoft XML Architect, told BetaNews. "It is our responsibility to our users to provide a full fidelity format. We didn't see any alternative; believe me we thought about it. Without backward compatibility we would have other problems."
"Yes this is proprietary and not defined by a standards body, but it can be used by and interoperable with others. They don't need Microsoft software to read and write. It is not an open standard but an open format," Paoli explained.
When asked why Microsoft did not use the OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards) OpenOffice.org XML file format, Paoli answered, "Sun standardized their own. We could have used a format from others and shoehorned in functionality, but our design needs to be different because we have 400 million legacy users. Moving 400 million users to XML is a complex problem."
"This is a case of reality versus standards - this is reality. We can't do (support) everything. Where does it stop?" Paoli is one of the authors of the original XML specification. The schemas flag all of the features in the current corresponding Office files formats.
The Microsoft Office Open XML Formats are backwards compatible to Office 2000. Those versions of Office that are supported will be issued updates to read the new formats. Gartner estimates that only 1.6 percent of customers in the United States will be using versions of Office that predate Office 2000 by the end of 2005 with even fewer legacy users in Europe.
Customers that do not wish to adopt the format may set Office 12 to save in the legacy formats by default. Existing documents may be converted to the Office 12 formats with a bulk converter.
Likewise, customers that use alternative productivity suites including OpenOffice will require converters to translate OASIS standard document formats into the Office Open XML formats. Microsoft's Paoli said that it was too early to say whether or not Office will support the standards.
A New Ecosystem
Paoli predicts that the formats will generate an ecosystem around Office and create opportunities for ISVs and developers. "We jumpstarted the XML movement in the industry," said Paoli.
Commenting on the formats, Jupiter Research senior analyst Joe Wilcox told BetaNews, "If you look at Office 2003 and XML, Microsoft tried to solve the problem of company information being locked on a legacy datastore like a mainframe. And XML was the secret sauce for getting that done."
"However, Microsoft failed to address another problems and that is company information stored in its own proprietary file formats. So with the XML format, Microsoft has provided a means for opening up data locked in its own formats."
More information will be available at the Office 12 preview Web site beginning June 6, which is the start of Tech Ed.
Why everyone hates MS (can anyone explain). Its a good corporation developing good softwares and they are trying to expand technology around the world. Then why hate MS.
Is MS disturbing you or its softwares are destroying your computers. No then why everyone hate this company.
If you don't like there softwares then why are you buying it. Just buy other softwares.
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I can't wait until some noob re-zips these zip files with one of the propietary "enhanced" compression methods found in WinZip 9.0 and other popular zip utilities. Microsoft's "Compressed Folders" (zipfldr.dll) doesn't even support Deflate64. Of course, Sun's JAR files are worse because they don't support any compression method except "Store" (meaning no compression).
But of course the noob will immediately go to Slashdot and accuse Microsoft of underhanded tricks which broke his file. 500 dorks will moderate each other in frenzied agreement before somebody finally figures out that the noob is a noob, and everybody starts looking for the next noob's Microsoft bash to join.
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Mr. Gillespie, with this post I rest my case (made below).
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This is all buisness at the end of the day!
The big dog (MS) is always going to try and hump the smaller dog (linux).
Here's what i think....... let him! are you the one that wants to get bitten and gizzed on?
Linux are still going to be there at the end of the day. They just need to come up with a buisness plan.
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"Linux are still going to be there at the end of the day. They just need to come up with a buisness plan."
I totally agree. Linux has the geeks right now. They need to do what Apple did when they took Unix/BSD to a whole new level. They need a plan and they need non-geek designers.
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The really cool thing about this is the easy way of generating office files. For example, I can create a simple PHP (well, or ASP) web application that gather information from a database and build custom Excel files such as invoices. TRENDY! :)
Well, weait... Perhaps this is another move by Microsoft to take over the world!?
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What's next?
"open" XML Office format? - sure!
OpenOffice (or smt else) will support it? - seem to be sure!
M$ will "upgrade" the standard's version? - sure
OO (or smt else) will be incompatible for each version of standard? - sure
M$ Office will win? - seems to be sure :(
I think the winner will be the one who invest a lot for the standard. and M$ (many dollards) will win. OO may be a first one, but who will be the leader?
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It is a shame they couldn't adopt but the standard already set in XML by OpenOffice, but at least they gave it a try. Microsoft will always be behind the 8-ball with their support for legacy users, so it's still somewhat impressive they've come this far.
Perhaps give it a few more years, and the standard will be just that - standard. Although that always sounds like wishful thinking.
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Poor Microsoft can't win. When they finally do something that certain people have wanted for years, you guys call it "pathetic" and "desperate." That's why they call you trolls. When you can't recognize this as a Win-Win for users of both OpenOffice and Microsoft Office, then you need therapy to get over your irrational Microsoft hatred. (No one is forcing you to use any Microsoft product. No one.)
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and I dont use any ms product :)
too bad ms wont let those of use who refuse to play their game alone.. they want us to comply with THEIR ways and someday we all unfortunately will since MS laughs at all the orders the courts give them telling them not to do this and that and the other thing... and the courts are powerless to enforce their own orders because MS has such a stranglehold on the industry that the alarmists are afraid the whole infrastructure would collapse if ms went down..
News flash.. there were computers before MS
News flash.. there was an internet before MS
News flash.. there was ways to navigate the internet before ms
News flash.. computers will be around a LONG time after microsoft finally finds nothing else to assimilate so it assimilates itself and dies
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Wow. That was funny. Thanks!
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Here's the way I see it. There are "standards", as in guidelines formed by a committee that represents several companies. Then there are "standards" as in the "Hey, we control 80-90% of the market, whatever we do is the standard way of doing it.
Don't get me wrong, I love the former, especially when it comes to XHTML since I do a good amount of screen scraping. But from a pure business sense think about the time that's needed to get a change ratified by a committeee (and the chance of it not) versus the time needed to make changes in your own standards.
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the whole zip thing scares me. now EVERY office document with a PK header that runs through my company's AV will have to be extracted and scanned making double the work. also, we send a lot of office files through the mail system and there are a lot of places that i know won't take zip files. since from the file level these are just renamed zip files this could potentially get messy.
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I bet it can be turned off.
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I bet it can't. OO's files are the same way (if I remember correctly, at least) and I didn't think you could turn it off. The only option will be to save to legacy Office formats.
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This is good news indeed, if the assumption that MS can't screw up XML holds true.
It would make interoperability much easier, and that's definately a good thing.
Even though as a Linux power user, who often groans at how poorly Windows handles an older computer (I'm working on a P3 700 128M of ram that has Win2k. It's thrashing so much it's not pretty), I think it's a good move. Sure they're not using OpenOffice's standard, but at least someone in the FOSS community would spend the time to write a converter or something.
I haven't tried OpenOffice lately, but I'd agree with either MS lovers or Linux lovers that 1.x was a piece of crap. It was slow enough to make me learn LaTeX. But don't think OO is small potatoes. Slashdot just posted that a school had migrated from MSOffice to OO, and OO can open older word documents better than MSOffice itself.
Maybe I'll try out the OO beta sometime.
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Great. Now OpenOffice.org will have *full* compatability with MSOffice files. :)
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Wooo! And the compatibility will extend all the way back to Office 2000 too. How good is that! Will be great to see this. Just hope Microsoft will release the conversion tool as a free standalone app. Then we can change all the old files to the new format and bingo!
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Until MS 'updates' the standard.
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This reminds me strangely of the standardized sun Java and the proprietary microsoft Java.
Stanrds are standards and are there for a reason. Microsoft once again is looking to make non-standard standard because their non-standard format is going to flood the market. It's not about standards though in the end, it's about domination. Bill gates - one of the richest men in the world is also one of the greediest.
Never enough money, where does it end. and doesnt Bill realize that if he gets his way that he is shooting himself in the foot. when he finally dominates the market 100% then his company will shrivel up and die because there will be no more room to grow or expand.
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Erm, XML is the standard here, there is no way even Microsoft can deviate from the XML standard, it's simply not possible.
Proper Java and Microsoft Java is not a valid comparison. Microsoft's Java was closed. XML is entirely open, you can open up the XML file in Notepad, and see what tags Microsoft are using to store the documents data. you can read and write, or make your own word processor.
There is no guarentee, and indeed very likely, that Microsofts XML document format will differ from Open Offices XML format, but they can BOTH conform to being XML compliant! And it also means it's a simple affair for each to open the others documents, without losing information.
Microsoft commiting to XML as a office document format is nothing but good news. Some people will always find some way to turn anything into a Anti-Microsoft battle...
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A very wise friend explained it to me this way:
"Think of XML as a language that you and I agree to speak. Communication should be straightforward, right?
Now think of schemas as dialects.
So let's say you start using geeky engineering jargon I can't understand. Tough to communicate, right.
So you give me a big, fat book of definitions for the jargon--kind of like Microsoft publishing its schemas--so that we can talk. But I have to learn your jargon first."
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" Erm, XML is the standard here, there is no way even Microsoft can deviate from the XML standard, it's simply not possible"
errrm, XML is a scripting language, and with any scripting language you need to have an interpreter - a program or set of functions that tell an application what the scripting values mean. THUS it would be VERY easy for microsoft to develop their own proprietary version of XML, simply create an interpreter that tells the application abc instead of xyz like the rest of the "standardized" xml interpreters do and [taadaaa] you have a proprietary version of xml.
and out of curiosity, you said MS java was closed. That violated the terms of pure sun java's licensing agreement with anyone who used the java (tm) language. There was much said about this back in the day when it happened, and what did MS do, rather than comply with the terms of the licensing agreement, they took their ball and went home removing all support for Java from their os. what poor sports, they found someone who they couldnt bully around so they went home crying to mommy taking their ball home with them in an attempt to break up the game. well, Java is still around no thanks to MS :)
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And you can be sure MS will 'upgrade' the jargon periodically, just to make things interesting.
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Good news, but i'm sure the Microsoft bashers and Linux/Open source radicals will find something to moan about..
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Isn't that the truth!
And . . . (ding ding) their off!
PCMag's Dvorak wrote a great article abouth the death of Open Source(mainly Linux) from within. Basically, he called most of them a bunch of fanaticals.
Linux Community Implodes
http://www.pcmag.com/art...2/0,1759,1816439,00.asp
Intersting article - though I have nothing against the Open Source movement and have a Linux system, I hate how they rant and rave any time they see an article on MS. Quick on the draw for anything MS.
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The only one I see here ranting about like a fool is you.
Guys like you just fuel the whole thing by posting anti-linux-user rhetoric and then bash the poor linux-users for defending themselves like it was their faults.
Now, on topic this is an AWESOME move by MS and a HUGE step towards compatability by all office products.
Kudos to them!
:-)
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Good article, very sad and yet very true. I love my Linux server but there are some real nut jobs out in the "Linux Community"
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Have you met any of the ones in the MS community?
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Those are called MVPs.
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When linux guys make crazy claims like "OOo's emergence as the mainstream Office suite", when the reality being it's got a mere 2% of the market, I think they bring bashings on themselfs..
Microsoft have, and will dominate the office suite market for a long time to come, however, opening up the formats is a welcome move, and will surely keep anti-trust lawers away for a while...
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Depends on how you look at it. From a Linux user point of view, Microsoft Office isn't an option so Open Office is mainstream.
You do have a point though.
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That's bullcrap. Mark G. has a point. I use BOTH Linux and Windows, and I also use BSD for apache/php/mysql. In fact, I've been playing with Linux since Slackware 3... And all I can hear from Linux community is crazy conspiracy theories. I'm not saying that Microsoft is an example of well behaviour, though. I can recall the "Fault on MS DOS Extender" when attempting to install Windows 3.1 under DR-DOS. But this is long gone and all this Media Player and IE conspiracies are bullcrap.
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How about Microsoft sending out letters of support to the DOJ from dead people?
LOL
See the funny thing about the world is that there are extremist zealots no matter which side of the fence you are on. Sure there are Linux nuts out there, but there are at least as many Windows nuts. ;-)
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Computers are tools. I don't give a flat f* if Evil Microsoft or the Home-of-the-free Linux is better. I use both on a pragmatic way: Whatever fits my clients the better on a given situation.
The only extremist wanna-be (and full of shyte) here is you with your cheap demagogy. After all, who else can find a big conspiracy on something so trivial as better XML office file format?
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Find a post where I said anything was a conspiracy idiot.
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Another attempt at confusing users so that they believe they'll get the "real" "OpenOffice" by sticking to MS Office ???
A little pathetic. But it shows how MS is desperate to counter OOo's emergence as the mainstream Office suite...
Interesting developments are to be expected...
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"But it shows how MS is desperate to counter OOo's emergence as the mainstream Office suite..."
Are you on mind bending drugs? Microsoft Office has at least a 90% market share!! So with Open Office, and it's 2% marketshare (3% if you count StarOffice), does this make it mainstream?
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"OOo's emergence as the mainstream Office suite..."
Now that's just stupid.
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"But it shows how MS is desperate to counter OOo's emergence as the mainstream Office suite..."
Agreed. Been waiting to be able to OO.o 2 Beta files in MS Office. Maybe this will get us a step closer.
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Wow! This is so cool and innovative. It's not like OpenOffice.org has done this for years :)
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Yep...very...very...slowly.
Sorry, I'm sure some people LOVE OOo, but personally I can't stand it. It's clunky, awkward and slower then s*** running up hill in a snow storm
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Very true, the 1.x series was slow, but try out the 2.x series, it's oh so much better. (try it with and without the quick starter).
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Well thats good news, but why not open the source to the older formats then one wonders. Also what will happen to MS Works (or is that even used anymore, I don't know I'm kind of out of the loop on MS stuff).
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desperately need a nolf2 no cd crack :)
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WTF? y u asking for a nolf2 cd crack here?! That is one of the most random/stupid things i seen, heh.
Microsoft are trying and this is good news, will make msoffice much better.
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