Editors' Newswire for 18 March, 2002. Newswire stories, including: Business 2.0 on Web Services; "Fear and loathing of Web services"; DL: A "pure" Data Language; Weblog article : Macromedia reinvents the Web; Non-XML RELAX NG syntax to become official; XML Serialization for Ruby. [xmlhack]
Two excellent [Business 2.0] articles [Infoworld] on web services. How do I get my machines to talk to your machines? Web services. It's a babel fish for business that allows transactions to take place as well as data migration. Need to get off that big iron mainframe? Set up a web service to funnel the data off that iron and onto a set of smaller servers, or a single one if it can handle the traffic.
Digression: Some genius is probably working on a way to set up private we services so that you can have a shop that is running out of your personal site. This is another tie into the avatar/personal assistant/Major Domo that I have been on about. Being able to schedule meetings, vacations, and travel setting certain parameters as to the times and qualities you desire (First class or business, morning flight or red eye, 5 star hotel or bed and breakfast, luxury car or convertible?) with some voice commands would be fantastic.
User:"Higgins, I need to fly to Hawaii, two months from now. Two week stay, and I'll need a rental car. "
Assistant:"Yes sir. Are you travelling alone?"
User:"No, plan for the whole family. Five of us total, see if there is suite available, or any townhouses for rent, two bedrooms, two baths if possible."
Assistant:"Noted. Given the number in your party, do you want a minivan?"
User:"No, let's go with an SUV, the larger the better."
Assistant:"Noted. The last time you went to Hawaii, you stayed in San Francisco for three days on the way there, do you wish to do that again?"
User:"Not this time, thank you Higgins"
Assistant:"You are welcome. How would you like the results?"
User:"Email them to myself and my spouse, we'll need to discuss this."
Assistant:"Done sir. FYI - there is a special that expires by 4:00 PM today that you may want to review. "
User:"Thank you Higgins, Remind me about that at 2:00 PM"
Assistant:"Noted. Will that be all?"
User:"Yes Higgins, thank you."
Assistant:"You are welcome, sir."
User then confirms their itinerary with Higgins, who searches for the best fares. Assuming that the vendors that are being dealt with are using some form of CRM, the web services are going to know that it's Higgins checking prices and give it a better price than otherwise, and Higgins is going to learn that FLY ME AIR has the best prices, so it'll check that vendor first. Likewise, vendor managed bonus programs (frequent flyer etc) will weight results one way or another, as will user input form experience with the various vendors.
User:(via cell phone)"Higgins!"
Assistant"Yes Sir?"
User:"FLY ME AIR has lost our baggage, rescheduled our flight, and we are now on a layover in Chicago. We need a hotel, a limo to get there, and the next flight to Hawaii, canceling our tickets and rescheduling our existing reservations based on the changes. Take first available, price is not an issue."
Assistant:"(Noting new rules Higgins looks it up) One moment sir."
User:"(muttering)sonofa"
Assistant:"(Notes language, starts weighting against using FLY ME AIR given current circumstances and User's language, Higgins ) Sir? I have a limo on the way, you will be staying at the Hilton in downtown, there was a suite available "
User:"Thank you Higgins. Flight time?"
Assistant:"10:00 AM, direct to Seattle, one hour layover, then direct to Hawaii. FYI - Tickets are business class, with an option to upgrade to First Class should seating be available. Hotel reservation ahs been shifted, and you are in the same suite. Should I arrange for dinner at the hotel?"
User:"Umm, yes. Something light, please."
Assistant:"Noted. Will you require toiletries, or anything else?"
User:"No Higgins, thank you."
Assistant:"6:00 AM wake up call sir?"
User:"Yes. Thank you."
Assistant:"You are welcome, sir."
