by Krishna Mohan
A Microsoft-sponsored open-source project is expected on Friday to release a translator that will convert file formats between Microsoft Office and rival standard OpenDocument, or ODF. Microsoft started the project at SourceForge last year, relying on three partners to develop the code that lets a user open and save word processor documents in two different formats. The Microsoft format is called Office Open XML (OOXML), which is the default document format in the company’s recently released Office 2007 suite. The other is ODF, which is backed by Microsoft competitors IBM, Sun and Novell.
The plug-in will work with Microsoft’s Word application, including the latest Office 2007 version as well the Office 2003 and Office XP editions, Microsoft said. Once installed, a person can open and save documents in the ODF format from Word. People can download the software, available under the open-source BSD licence, for free from SourceForge on Friday. Microsoft intends to make the software available from its own website as well, the company said.
Sorce: ZDNet
Posted in Office | Comments (1)
by Krishna Mohan
Not only Microsoft is disappointing users big time, by not releasing Live Messenger for Windows Mobile, but here comes another debacle: Microsoft’s own Office 2007 will produce files that will not be readable with Office Mobile that is pre-installed in Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC edition!
Apparently Microsoft has just confirmed, rather unofficially, that support for Office 2007 files will be provided in windows Mobile in the middle of 2007, what coincides with a time when first devices powered by Windows Mobile Crossbow (Windows Mobile 6.0) will go on sale! Interestingly Windows Mobile Crossbow offers Office Mobile also in MS Smartphone version of Windows Mobile, not just in Pocket PC version, so the support for new Office 2007 files may be provided in these both Windows Mobile platforms.
Conclusion: situation is fluid and if Office 2007 compatibility is crucial for you, you may end up buying a Windows Mobile phone now, that will not be upgrade-able to Crossbow… or to a version that can read Office 2007 files. Unfortunately once again end users of Windows Mobile are in limbo due to Microsoft’s strategy “to get new features buy new device with new operating system”. It would be only proper for Microsoft to state clearly (and officially) what is the road map for Office 2007 compatibility in Windows Mobile.
Posted in Office | Comments (0)
by Krishna Mohan
Reports that Office 2007 will sport an anti-piracy “kill switch” that can disable the upcoming application suite after it’s activated are incorrect, a Microsoft executive said Monday. As with previous versions of the productivity bundle, Office 2007 does include an activation scheme that requires users to authenticate the product key either online or by telephone, said Ashim Jaidka, the director of Office Genuine Advantage. OGA is the umbrella program for Office product activation and validation.”Activation technology isn’t new to Microsoft Office,” Jaidka said in an e-mail. “It’s important to note the distinction between activation and validation.”
Under Office 2007′s activation rules, users can launch a suite application up to 25 times without entering the product key. Once that launch allowance is exhausted, however, the applications slip into what Microsoft dubs “reduced functionality mode,” under which the user cannot create, edit, or save documents. Viewing and printing of documents, however, are allowed. Office 2003, released three years ago, gives users a grace of 50 launches, twice as many as Office 2007 will allow.
“In reduced-functionality mode, 2007 Office programs function more like viewers,” stated a support document posted last week.
More can be read here at Techweb
Posted in Office | Comments (0)
Subscribe to RSS feed
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Google+ 
![[Valid RSS]](http://www.drkrishi.com/wp-content/themes/layers/images/valid-rss-rogers.png "Validate my RSS feed")
