Amplifying Interoperability...

contolledagility makes some great points in this post.

I guess in the end no one has the motivation to solve for INTEROPERABILITY.
It's not an Open Source thing since those that code in this space are (generally) one language oriented. It's not a Microsoft thing since they would be making it easier for customers to stay with non-Microsoft integrations. It's not a IBM/BEA/Oracle thing since they would be making it easier for customers to stay with non-JAVA integration.

Who has the confidence to step up to this? Vendors have nothing to gain. Speeding up delivery time for Integrators/Consultants costs them contract dollars. Middleware vendors make money off the complexities of the integration problem. CTOs and CIOs are trying to consolidate their platforms and not stratify them even more.

Perhaps if someone creates a tool for proving TRUE INTEROPERABILITY they could Open Source it ... Microsoft/IBM/BEA/Oracle can go fight for licensing rights.

In the meantime, its good architects supporting good developers to master the approach to "contract first".

What do you think?

Let's See Your Cards...

To some, the world of architecture seems like a game. I see it in my company, I hear about it from friends in other organizations, and I read about it in the blogosphere.

So if Poker is the game, I have some questions:
(1) what are the table stakes?
(2) how does one get invited to the table?
(3) who's dealing?

As that I am a vigilant people watcher I also see the interesting behaviors.

Some folks play "just by the cards" . They react to what they are dealt and know the probabilities. Some are good enough to count the cards, but then it seems no one wants to play anymore.

Other folks play by the people. They read their opponents eyes, watch for cues and "tells" and are constantly on the look out for that darting of the eyes that suggests an "alliance" has formed.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that good work, or playing rather, does not go unnoticed. Sometimes the best players just get bad cards. Sometimes folks just get lucky. How do you decide what card is wild?

Are you a expert bluffer with the dark shades and cold as steel? Or maybe you are like me and cannot hide the Full House in front of you. Either way I hope most would agree that the most successful IT teams play "open face".

I call! Let's see your cards...