Microsoft now is a OGC member

That's true, just read this press release.

From the Microsoft point of view, this seams like a logical move as some of their flagship products (SQL Server 2008 and Virtual Earth) will include or already include spatial support. What this also means is that for sure MS products will support the OGC standards witch is very good news.

I'm a confess addicted to OGC standards, even wen using third-party engines that do not provide the standard interfaces, I tend to create a abstraction for OGC compliancy.

With all that said, I welcome Microsoft move to join the Open Geospatial Consortium.