Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Java and .Net Link

I find this project interesting but I question whether you would ever want to use it in a real production implementation. I'm trying to come up with a case where you would hook in down at this level from Java to .Net instead of at a higher service level. Why would you mix the two? If you have chosen Java over .Net I'm assuming maybe you are a Java shop. You might like the portability of Java. If you need stuff from Windows that only .Net can provide then why not just write it in .Net because it's not going to be portable at that point any way. This Java-.Net link seems complex and brittle to me. Cool but practical?

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Go Naked!

After reading this article on Naked Objects in .Net I think it definitely supports the theory that there is good naked and bad naked. This would be bad naked.

I guess if you are an exceptional OO shop then maybe this is achievable but is it desirable? I'm not sure. It seems to be on the surface another example of over engineering.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

SOA versus SOI

I read this post from Anne Thomas Manes about SOA and SOI. I have to disagree with the assessment. SOA does not have to be extremely disruptive to be started or to be successful. SOI, don't love another acronym, is a very good way for companies to actually get started down the SOA path without the major disruption.

Standards based integration with Services as the focal point can lead to the reduction of the very legacy systems Anne is talking about. If done correctly the plumbing can make the transition to SOA more fruitful and less impacting to the overall business. The idea you have to rip all the systems out and rewrite everything as a service is kind of far fetched.

One of the key issues with SOA adoption and success in my view is this kind of talk. It's the over engineering discussions that either paralyze an organization into inaction on the SOA front or cause an organization to go on some mass rip and replace tear that ultimately has very negative impacts.

Start simple, don't over engineer, don't go on a shopping spree, don't try to explain SOA to your business. Another massive IT project is probably the last thing your business needs right now.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Desperate Times

A couple of crooks steal a Salvation Army kettle. Crime always goes up during economic downturns as people become desperate. My online kettle is safe and goes directly to the Salvation Army. If you want to help the local Raleigh area Salvation Army or the national level, feel free to contribute $5, $10 or whatever you can spare to help out these people helping people. The bell is ringing.

Have a great holiday!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Thankful

For whatever reasons or no reason at all I have been extremely fortunate, blessed, lucky in my professional life as well as my family life. Over the past year I've seen more and more examples of hardships being faced by so many people here in the United States and all over the world.

This is of course nothing new, suffering has been around a long time. I guess for me personally it just seems more acute than it ever has before.

Over the past year I've been finding more and more ways to give back with what I have been so fortunate to receive. One of the organizations that I give to is the Salvation Army. I've started an online kettle this year. Here is the link .

If you subscribe to this feed you can follow the link or go to my blog's homepage and view the kettle along with it's progress. If you have a few extra dollars this year I encourage you to donate to whatever charity or organization you can. If you can spare a few to my online kettle that would be wonderful as well.

Thank you and I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday