Re: XML - If there was any doubt . . .

Freda, Fuzzy, Jay and Paul:

I think you have all--in one way or another--hit on what I mean here.

Jay mentions he doesn't see the problem. In his case, he actually has a USE
for XML. And no doubt, he uses it very well. But let's face it--most
websites just don't have this use for it. That is why I say XML is not going
to "take over the world". Sure--some WILL use XML, just as some use Java.
Those who actually have something to haul around, often go out and buy a
truck. The rest of us mostly cling to the good old sedan.

If any scheme comes along--no matter who's scheme it is--its only chance of
working, universally, depends on general practicality.

Fuzzy also sent me a message about Microsoft's 'application lease' model.
Well I'm not going to relate what he said because he did not choose to send
it to the group as a whole.

But in general, that software "lease" business IS already in being. You can
lease most anything Microsoft sells. You can do this with a substantial
savings over buying multiple shrink wrapped copies off the shelf. And you
can already buy a stripped down computer and lease the right to use software
that physically resides on a server somewhere. BUT -----

It has never been much of a success, primarily because it just isn't very
practical. There is too much wasted time between the remote server and the
user's machine. We all know that the idea of a master computer feeding
workstations has been around from the very beginning. But--other than the
businesses who can really  benefit from a "network", it was just too darn
unwieldy.

After all, that's how it started. Server and remote slave, (or workstation.)
There were lots of drawbacks. And that's why self contained, "personal"
computers became so popular. For their versatility and practicality.

I may be wrong--I often am--but I still think it's way too early to panic
over just one more in the constant flow of schemes to return to a
master/slave/workstation. Or the idea that we will all have to throw away
our HTML and learn a new language. The worldwide market is simply too
narrow.

Remember a few short months ago??? Everyone was going to be using some form
of Web-TV. Half a dozen companies went south on that one. And even with
Microsoft's money behind it, WebTV is still just a toy, far short of being
ready for prime time.

Maybe someday a big server full of software will lease to slave computers
all over the world--and with most of the world still using 28k modems yet
(?)--but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Maybe someday XML will be in serious "general" use if the problems that Paul
mentioned, are ever solved.

Maybe Microsoft will get their SmartLinks up and running, (though already
NBCi's similar QuickClicks are being turned off all over the place.)

But for all of these ideas--Just like the Push Technology and Channels--once
the "cute new gimmick" part wears thin--for the vast majority, they're often
just more trouble than they are worth. In the meantime, we can all, still do
pretty well with plain vanilla HTML.

So--I'm not afraid of "Bill". No matter what idea he tries to promote--it
will never fly unless you guy's actually go out and buy the thing.

But--Now--you guys--I'm a little worried about ... ???

Best wishes
Ted Temer
Temercraft Designs Redding, CA
temer(at)c-zone.net
www.temercraft.com/novels/
www.newsredding.com/
www.ramac-rc.org/

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