>Hi Bill,
>
>>Here's some analysis: http://www.microsoftmonitor.com/archives/008558.html
>>
>>"I would strongly encourage Microsoft competitors to take charge and not let the company define what is open. Additionally, I would caution competitors and partners to avoid getting sucked into the hype about Microsoft abandoning its proprietary file formats; the company isn't."
>
>Well, that's an interesting spin on MS new Office formats. I'm not sure I share author's conclusions. For me and my customers, there's much more good in the new Office formats than there is bad.
>
>Thanks for the alternative perspective,
>
>Malcolm

I don't think there's any bad news, per se regarding the release. So on that point we agree.

The key (similar to .NET) is to separate the hype from the actual released product.

Bill