Here's another excellent discussion about REST for web services.

There is a huge and contentious debate under way right now related to "Web services". A sizable contingent of the W3C and various XML pioneers are challenging the value of SOAP, WSDL, and other "Web service" technology. This is a nuanced discussion with many different positions being taken by the opponents. Some are critical of the W3C's participation in something viewed as a "pay to play" maneuver from Microsoft and IBM.

For the ultimate in temporal, architectural, language and spatial decoupling, try two of my favorite fluid technologies: publish-subscribe messaging and tuple-spaces.

Ethical decisions in software development do not only arise when we are talking about malware or copyright infringement. If my programs are successful, then they impact the lives of thousands or millions of people. That impact can be positive or negative. The program can make their lives better or worse–even if just in minute proportions. Every time I make a decision about how a program behaves, I am really deciding what my users can and cannot do.

Lately, I’ve been grooving on emergent behavior. This fuzzy term comes from the equally fuzzy field of complexity studies. Mix complex rules together with non-linear effects (like humans) and you are likely to observe emergent behavior. Recent example: web browser security holes. Any program inherently constitutes a complex system. Add in some dynamic reprogramming, downloadable code, system-level scripting, and millions upon millions of users and you’ve got a perfect petri dish.

Names have power. Shamanic primitives guard their true names -- give me your name and you give me power over you. In the ether, your name is your only identity. Give away your name and you give away yourself. No cause, issue, or crusade has a follower until it has a name. A good name evokes images, emotions. A well-named issue becomes uncontestable. (Who is really opposed to "family values", anyway?

Lately, I have been struggling to find the meaning in my work. I suppose that’s not surprising. I am a human being–a mortal creature. My age will soon flip a decimal digit. (I decline to specify which.) These can certainly cause one to spend time reflecting on one’s legacy. They can also cause one to buy a flaming red sports car. I may explore that option later. I also work in a field of incredible transience.