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Microsoft commits to using open document format.

Microsoft intends to integrate use of the open document format (ODF) in 2009.

This move will be a surprise to many given Microsoft’s history of European commission monopoly related fines. The free software foundation gave a cautious welcome to the move as did the European commission.

The essence of this story is the intended move by Microsoft away from the file format interoperability issues faced by developers and users of non Microsoft products. Some would argue that Microsoft should be allowed to use whatever format they wish. Microsoft effectively argued this for some time. Regardless, few are likely to accept this as an altruistic move by the software giant. Already there are two main schools of thought on the issue. The principal belief is that Microsoft simply need to move away from the arena of ongoing combat with the European commission as this has proven to be an expensive path of serial loss. The later group see this as evidence that Microsoft simply accept that they are likely to be more profitable and competitive if they effectively enable interoperability with systems and software which are not by default a part of the Microsoft road-map. This should lead to the entry in to the Microsoft arena of a considerable number of developers who quite simply could not use make use of Microsoft software for their clients because of the cost of moving from legacy formats.

People in business do not avoid Microsoft products for personal reasons. Interoperability and compatibility can only increase market share for the worlds largest software company. This was not always the case and Microsoft jealously guarded their format in the early days to avoid their software being effectively reverse engineered as happened to the hardware solutions offered by IBM in the 80s.

Regardless of the reasons, this is a step in the right direction. The main issue now will be the level of interoperability. Nobody expects Microsoft to release their source code and nobody can expect them to integrate all third party software. This method of integration will likely take the form of a developers forum which provides information to members and assistance to members closely alignedto the intended Microsoft formats. In addition we can expect early release of beta software to interested parties so they can launch complementary products with or soon after Microsoft. Is it a strange coincidence that Bill will be retired before this matures or is it the case that he has put the wheels in motion on this before his departure. You’re gonna have to ask Bill.