xls2xml 1.x release series:
Can understand files generated using Microsoft Excel versions 6, 95, 97 and 2000.
Uses standard automake, autoconf and libtool generated files.
Provides a standard configure script.
Builds shared (dynamic) libraries if the plattform and libtool support it.
Provides standard targets in the Makefile (ie. install, clean, etc).
Can use (thanks to the configure script) plattform dependent system calls for better performance.