Microsoft Quietly Working on a 'Lite,' Java-Based Version of OfficeInformationWeek Report Posted on CMP's TechWirePRNewswire Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq-NNM: MSFT) is quietly developing a slimmed-down, all-Java version of its flagship Office productivity suite as it continues to publicly downplay the competitive threat of a Java-based network computer (NC) platform, according to CMP's InformationWeek. In the InformationWeek report, posted this weekend on CMP's TechWire™ (http://www.techweb.com/wire/news/mar/0309javaoffice.html), a source familiar with the development effort said "Microsoft is working on a 'lite' version of Office for Java. They don't want to be two years behind, so they've started developing it now." Microsoft's all-Java Office suite won't ship unless Java suites from competitors such as Corel take off, sources added. Microsoft officials would neither confirm nor deny the development effort, according to the InformationWeek piece. "We're not talking about future versions at all, but we're in touch with what customers want in this area, and we'll do whatever they want," said Matthew Price, Group Product Manager for Microsoft Office. Rivals Corel and Lotus Development have a considerable jump on the Redmond, Wash. software giant. Corel's product, a version of which is slated to ship for Sun Microsystems' JavaStations on March 17, will include the core functionality of the company's non-Java Windows version, said Vincent Lin, Director of Java technology at Corel, in Ottawa. Lotus' product, code-named Kona, also is being tuned for the NC model. "We decided to keep the programs small and simple, as our customers wanted," said Barry Briggs, a Lotus fellow. "These are going to be used on NCs and browsers, and should be small, lightweight, fast, and completely understandable to the beginning user." Kona is due to ship this summer. Published by CMP Media Inc., InformationWeek magazine delivers news, strategies, trends and product and technology information to people who manage technology in business. At 350,000 qualified IT buyers, InformationWeek has the largest circulation in the information systems category, according to Simmons CompPro IV. CMP's TechWire (http://www.techwire.com/), part of CMPFs TechWeb® super site, is an international technology news wire service that features news and features contributed by more than 300 technology journalists. CMP Media Inc. provides publishing, marketing and information services to the entire high-technology spectrum--the builders, sellers and users of technology--through print and electronic media. All of CMP's publications and online products can be accessed through the company's TechWeb site on the World Wide Web (http://www.techweb.com/). Print titles include EE Times, Computer Reseller News, InformationWeek and WINDOWS Magazine. -0- 3/10/97 SOURCE: CMP Media Inc. CONTACT: Steve Rubel, 516-562-7434 or srubel@cmp.com, or Catherine |