It looks like battle lines are brewing once again between Sun and Microsoft.  So far, I've only read what is published in popular press, and what is out there is a bit confusing.  But from what I see, there is value in both positions.

Microsoft seems to be pushing the idea that users can define and document new XML vocabularies, and providing tools that will assist with creation of documents that conform to such vocabularies.  This is goodness.

Sun seems to be pushing for the idea of standardized and interoperable vocabularies for such concepts as pie charts.  This is also a good idea (much as a standardized and interoperable vocabulary for unordered sets of key, value pairs would be a good idea, but I digress).

I don't know if either ideal can be pulled off, but any effort to produce XML vocabularies that are widely supported, not mandatory, and extensible is a good thing.

  5:34:18 PM   Comment 

Best part was the Town Hall meeting, where we discussed what being an Apache member meant to us, and the differences between projects.  I thought it was quite healthy to get this out in the open.  In general, differences seem to melt away when you get the opportunity to talk face to face.  Then I see this.  (note: search for "between times" as the permalinks are broken at the moment.) Kinda sad, really.  I do not get this impression from Brian, Roy, Dirk, or Greg.

Biggest missed opportunity: I saw Ugo Cei twice in passing - once when I was in a rush to get some place, and once when apparently he was.  Damn.  At least I got to spend some time with Stefano Mazzocchi (how I wish he had a weblog).  And to meet Ben Hyde.  And, as an unexpected bonus, I had a lengthy conversation with Tim O'Reilly.

  4:43:41 PM   Comment