[mso] Re: XML Conversation
- From: "Steve Fredette" <mailinglists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 14:11:33 -0500
I almost was tempted to wait for the movie, but...
From: "Greg Chapman" <greg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Much of what XML was expected to be was implemented in a slightly
> different way as Cascading Style Sheets. I have nothing against either.
> I have everything against the following, though:
> - data exchange bloat
Comes with the territory. Since it is user defined, the will be Hybrids
getting 85 Miles to the gallon, and then there will be HumVs.
> - unnecessarily fixing schemas against a free-form medium
If it aint broke, but is it a fix or an upgrade? (If you're referred to
sales, then it's an upgrade; tech support, a fix -)
> - instead of using binary data where appropriate, multiplying storage
> and exchange throughput by a factor of 8 (minimum value)
UM, some of us like the idea of not having to learn binary, that's why
they make faster CPUs...
> - deprecating parts of the underlying specifications which provided the
> utility by which the using audience was greatly increased
Sometimes function beats form.
>
> As a result of abusing the idea, we get databases created expressly in
> string terms (increasing storage and CPU cycles for redundant string
> parsing functions), server pools multiplied by 4 (to implement the XML
> parse and 'business rule' logic in a way more naturally executed in
> binary logic pools) and fewer people who may create the originally
> intended linked pages to data. In such an environment, careless
> implementation of parsers becomes critical and Microsoft shows an
> absolutely horrid record for Interfacing its XML parsing libraries over
> the last 6 years to the point that a change in its XML libraries often
> forces a top to bottom rebuild of an application depending on those libs.
Can you see this happening with Office 07?
>
> So now what I really expect to see is an open standard perverted to
> protect proprietary data (which 'closes' more than it opens), increased
> cost to deploy a web application, even less reliable connectivity to DB
> systems and a HUGE increase in the amount of net traffic generated to
> support the same results.
Yes, but the schemas where meant to be proprietary in nature, that's the
whole idea. The developer having control. This trickles down to the end
user, in that no matter what OS they are running, the data is universal.
Yes, this ends up with a higher cost, but not as much as having to have an
"expert" come in and translated everything.
> The part that really bunches my shorts, however, and a large part of my
> displeasure with XML is that it contributes to an unnecessary technical
> elitism. Because of this, the derivative CSS functions will be depriving
> folks of simple use HMTL terms like "</u>" and table nesting because
> those original techniques and support for them are now deprecated at the
> request of the commercial interests and without adequate acceptance from
> other communities.
I'm still kicking and screaming over not using tables, natively, for
layout purposes. Though, just because it's deprecated, doesn't mean you
can't still do it. "Backwards compatibility" two of my favorite words :-)
(This is were you bring up 508 ;-)
>
> So, if I got right down to it, XML itself ain't a bad thing. It's what I
> see people doing with it which alarms me and piques my ire. Putting
> Office into the mix is sure to make an even bigger mess of the whole
> deal while Microsoft continues on its current path of adandoning past
> work (and the work of its customers) in those environments. I don't mind
> learning the new tools (although, if it's a productivity tool, why do we
> force the creation of new 'experts' every few years?) but I do mind
> watching technical investments obliterated with inadequate thought to
> the investment the core has made in the technology.
I don't think we're getting new "experts" every few years, per se. I
think it's more like some just burn out, goodness knows I did for a while
there. Others, may not truly get things at the present, but when "XYZ" is
released in 10 years, it'll be their time to shine.
I also do not think it's inadequate thought, but more of a "let's keep
the stock holders happy" mentality.
> Oh yeah, most of the time I'm really quite pleasant to work with!<g>
I have never met you, but you seem like you would be, until someone took
your high score in Asteroids, that is, Then you'd be all determination and
leaning to one side, due to all the quarters in your pocket ;-)
Seriously, I hope you do not think I'm being flippant with my replies
here. Due an event in my life over the last month, I am becoming quite
philosophical in life. None of any of this, will mean anything to any of us,
some day, as we pass on. As long as all of this works, and we (either for
our clients or for our bosses) can make it work, hence keep a roof over our
heads, food on our family's table and time to spend with them, I feel it's
worth a few billion extra electrons here and there.
Cordially,
Steven Fredette
President http://www.prowebsites.net
Indianapolis, Indiana. USA (-5 GMT/UT)
"For Your Internet Wants and Needs" Since 1997
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