Massless

Microsoft, while being an intellectually dishonest company, are very good marketers. I've been trying to explain the value (and technology) of XML web services to various parties at work. I've at times built little examples, mainly sample order or inventory management services via SOAP or XML-RPC, usually in Java. They look at it and feign interest. *yawn*

Yesterday, on the front page of Microsoft.com, (in the center space and in bold) is an ad enticing developers to "develop your first XML service". And what is the "Hello World" of .NET? A "Favorites Service" which would allow users to save their favorites on the server and make it easy to move their bookmarks from their office PC to their home PC.

Suddenly, out of nowhere and thanks to this example, all those parties at work just got it. And are now asking me to set up their favorites service for them. :) Of course, do they ask for it in Java? Noooo... The ad created an identification with the technology and they have equated Web services with .NET. I wonder if I will I get decision-makers to realize that the much-touted Web services can occur without .NET? I also wonder what flavor of Web services I should be looking into developing. Is .NET the best solution? Will the open source stuff kick its ass? I really need to do so much more research. If I can just get some more of these bugs fixed...

The .NET bandwagon arrives; we all jump. Mainly because, given our background, the distance is short. This time, though, is there even a bandwagon to jump onto?

Which reminds me...Computer User's Sean Dugan said the following in a recent article: "You really have to admire Microsoft for its proficiency at what it does. You also have to admire the proficiency of sharks, scorpions, and black widow spiders. "