Microsoft gives ground on multiple fronts - Concessions on APIs, virtualization may be sign of evolution.

Microsoft's used many slogans in its 30 years of existence. Remember "Where do you want to go today?"

But let's face it, other, more potent mottoes have guided the actions of the company and its executives throughout the years. Take "embrace and extend," a phrase that's been used to describe the company's tendency to coopt open standards such as Java in order to better promote its software.

But in two key areas last week, Microsoft conceded to the demands of competitors, regulators, and third-party ISVs, agreeing to make proprietary code and APIs available that would give competitors a more equal footing with Redmond's products.

In the most visible …