Elizabeth Montalbano

Novell said it would support the proprietary document format in Microsoft Office 2007, Open XML, in its open-source version of the OpenOffice productivity suite by the end of January.

After five years and numerous delays, business customers can now get their hands on the final version of the Windows Vista operating system, as Microsoft celebrated the launch of Vista -- as well as Office 2007 and Exchange 2007 -- at events across the globe today.

Microsoft may have to pull its Office suite from the shelves in South Korea as a result of losing a patent lawsuit in that country, according to published reports.

Microsoft has no plans to add a controversial Windows Vista antipiracy feature directly to its Office 2007 suite, but will consider offering it as an add-on system, the company said.

Microsoft plans to extend the wireless capability of its new Zune devices to PCs and the company's Xbox 360 game console, according to Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.

Microsoft continues to expand ways customers can get access to Windows Vista as the OS' official launch date approaches. The company said it was teaming with CompUSA stores to offer early access to Windows Vista to U.S. small businesses.

Microsoft confirmed Vista would be available to consumers on Jan. 30 and released the Operating System to manufacturers.

Linux has won, said Red Hat putting a positive spin on a deal between Novell and Microsoft that may threaten the company's position as the leading supplier of Linux. The company scoffed at the financial deal that involves up-front payments from both companies in exchange for a release of patent liability. Despite Red Hat's take on the deal, most analysts agree that the deal gives Novell the edge.