The current project I'm working on involved integrating systems on Mac OSX, Windows 2000, Windows XP and the machines are located in a number of different geographic locations.
Mix in a little bit of Python on the Windows side and in under 20 minutes I had something working.
This is after never writing an XML-RPC server, client or ever touching AppleScript in my life. Not too shabby. I have to give credit to Apple for making not only AppleScript, but for making it such a pervasive part of MacOS.
Why does this matter?
Enter the other side of the project - Windows to Windows integration with closed source proprietary platforms.
I can't use AppleScript to script my clients anymore - Windows doesn't know AppleScript. The closed source app can't talk to any 'native' scripting language on Windows - because it doesn't exist.
So now - I have to dig around and find way to write a C plugin to do RPC? ugh...
In summary:
closed source sucks
unless it's well thought out - or at least as well as Apple
open source rocks - unless you have to talk to closed source apps
I have no idea how delightful or nauseating any of these other channels are, but I can GUARANTEE that mine will get you the attention of that hottie down the aisle from your cube.
Sure - it may be the attention you get when someone is attacking you with mace or that fancy new micro container pepper spray, or worse - maybe they'll see you and stick taser darts into you.
Well, barring any unforseen circumstances - I believe I have my first contract as a self-employed code monkey/orangutan.
It's a scary feeling when you don't have the safety net of having a full time job. The new job will be a lot more people oriented, and less hardcore technical. I think it's about time that I learned how to deal with people without saying the words "go to hell" when there's a disagreement.
It's a good feeling to be in unknown territory for the first time in a long while. I feel like I'm getting my first job.
