Microsoft offers to support ODF

IT WATCH / K.Venugopal

As part of its attempt to shed the monopolistic image, Microsoft has said that it would support the open document format from next year. Though open software enthusiasts welcomed the move, they also expressed doubts about Microsoft's commitment.

It has been a constant criticism of the open software movement that Microsoft was deliberately not providing support for ODF in its applications. To address this complaint, the software major has said that it would add ODF support to Office 2007 when it is updated next year.

Microsoft has been more or less successful in getting its Open XML format recognised by the the International Standards Organisation.

The move to offer support ODF is widely seen as an attempt to make peace with the open software community which has been vigorously opposing Open XML.

***

Now, ask Laila through phone

Asklaila.com, a popular desi search engine, has launched a mobile service too.

Mobile users can SMS their queries to 58989 and Askla-ila.com will SMS back results for their questions. Those with internet-enable phones can also access the service at m.asklaila.com. As of now, the service is available in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai.

It will soon be launched in other cities as well.

The SMS search service of asklaila. com is available on Reliance, Vodafone as of now. Other service providers will soon be roped in.

***

A bonus for searchers

Microsoft has scored one over Google and Yahoo by offering a rebate on purchases made through its Live Search engine. The 'cashback' scheme has been adopted from a website called Jellyfish.com.

Under the scheme, certain products would be offered a discount and surfers can make use of this.

The scheme is available only in the United States.

Those who want to avail it should open a Microsoft cashback account.

The rebate money would be deposited there and released after 60 days to the purchaser's account. It is believed that the scheme could affect the businesses of eBay and Amazon. com.

It may also persuade many to switch over to Microsoft Live Search from Google, the predominant search engine in the United States.