Robert Barksdale (Radio X Neophyte) posted some interesting thoughts and a link to an article "Top 5 Uses for XML". This was posted to the Radio-Developers list (the Beta user's list), which I wandered into by a fluke. I replied, in my usual contrarian fashion, but prior to reading the article.
I've gotten as far as point #1 in the article, and am already having trouble following the logic. Not sure who's confused on this issue, me or the industry. The author, Dan Wahlin, says "It's no secret that XML can be useful for data exchange between applications and companies, so this is a no-brainer for the #1 position." In my experience, "no-brainer" usually signifies an idea that it's obviously good, or or one that people accept without thinking about it sufficiently. Again, not sure how the industry is gonna flop, but IMV (in my view of the world) the idea of using XML for data transport should be scrutinized pretty closely.
I'm afraid XML, applied in the wrong circumstances, will be a kludge the industry is going to regret. Having read this part of the article I see that Dan Wahlin compares XML data exchange with exchanging flat files... I definitely see the advantages of XML, but abhor the idea that businesses are going to try to send business transactions as amorphous information.
Business transactions should be very carefully defined. There are both legal and social contracts involved. Leaving it up to the computer to sort these things out seems a little premature, IMV... EDI is tough enough as it is, and the old saw applies: "To err is human.. But to really foul things up, it takes a computer..."
I reposted the correspondence between Robert and I (with his permission) and the initial reply to the Radio-developer's list... Wish I had time to continue writing about that, but I have other windmills to tilt with...;-)
2:47:15 PM 
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