ANTenna Blog -- Internet/Web

Will Microsoft extend its planned Office Web to Firefox and Safari browser users? That appears to be the case -- and it also looks like both Mac and Linux users will have a standing invitation to join the party.

Late last month, Microsoft confirmed that it would launch lightweight, Web-based versions of four key Office suite components. At about the same time, in a follow-up interview with Computerworld, a Microsoft executive stated that its Office Web applications would be accessible to Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari users, in addition to working with Internet Explorer.

What wasn't clear at the time, however, was whether Office Web apps would work on non-Windows platforms. In theory, Microsoft could still tie Firefox and Safari users to Windows through the use of extensions or browser plug-ins, if that is how the company wants to play its first move into the Web-based productivity software market.

This week, however, a blogger on Channel 10, a Microsoft-sponsored online community and news site, confirmed that Office Web would also work for Linux and Mac OS users running either Firefox or Safari browsers. Although the clarification comes from a somewhat obscure source -- an IT professional and regular Channel 10 blogger named Sarah Perez -- there is no reason to question its accuracy.

So far, Office Web is still in the vaporware stage, although a "private technology preview" (translation: closed beta-testing cycle) is slated to begin before the end of the year.

Microsoft's decision to allow its biggest cash cow to wander fresh fields will make for some interesting competitive maneuvering. Among many other Web-based productivity apps, it will pit Office Web against Google Docs; while Microsoft doesn't exactly have a stellar record competing head-to-head against Google, this is one match-up Redmond absolutely cannot afford to lose. And of course, for small business owners, it will eventually add yet another interesting -- and perhaps compelling -- Web-based software choice.