Microsoft's intention to make .XML format a standard for Office 12 is a significant advantage for both users and alternative Office suites.

The new format will solve the compatibility problems between different Office editions. Until now, users had to deal with frustrating situations when a document created with MS Office 2003 refused to work with MS Office 2001.

Interoperability will be greatly improved, since the new XML format will be supported by three of the most important and utilized applications from MS Office.

But the ones to benefit the most from this format will be Open Office and StarOffice, which due to Microsoft's policy not to charge any sum of money for Open XML Format will be able to offer much easier support for the documents created with MS Office.

This doesn't mean Microsoft intends to give up on the classic .doc, .xls or .ppt formats which will be optional, the user being able to select them from the save menu.

The XML format also means better integration with Web technologies, which offers a lot of perspectives for the new Office 12 suite.

Aside from the technical aspects, there is a more important conclusion which results from this implementation: Microsoft is redefining its concepts.

Perhaps it has finally realized that it cannot fight the whole world and who knows, maybe the giant from Redmond has other surprises in store for us.