微软推出新的开放标准，推动互操作性

Summary: This morning, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and chief software architect Ray Ozzie announced a new initiative to open up its products and enhance interoperability. They embrace four interoperability principles and six "high-volume" products will be covered. Office 2007 will get new APIs, and Microsoft will focus on industry standards. It won't sue noncommercial open-source developers using its protocols. Microsoft's support for industry standards has faced criticism, especially with Internet Explorer. The EU has fined Microsoft for poor interoperability and is investigating over Office Open XML. Microsoft says today's announcement reflects a changed legal landscape and will take more steps. Skeptics await tangible results.
Key Information:
- Announced new initiative for product openness and interoperability.
- Four interoperability principles: ensuring open connections, promoting data portability, enhancing support for industry standards, and fostering more open engagement.
- Six "high-volume" products: Vista, Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, Office 2007, Exchange Server 2007, and Office SharePoint Server 2007.
- Office 2007 will get new APIs for other document formats.
- Microsoft will focus on industry standards and work with other companies.
- Won't sue noncommercial open-source developers using its protocols.
- EU has fined Microsoft and is investigating over interoperability issues.
- Microsoft says today's announcement reflects a changed legal landscape.
Important Details:
- Microsoft will make APIs and communication protocols available royalty- and license-free for covered products.
- IE8 will have multiple rendering modes for better standards compliance.
- General counsel Brad Smith said they will take additional steps to address the remaining CFI decision.
- Ballmer admitted they took steps to get compliant with the EC's decision.
- Skeptics want to see tangible results before accepting Microsoft as a champion of open standards.