Bryan and I spent most of yesterday exploring Longhorn and XAML. This was the first time Bryan had seen anything Longhorn. Bryan and I are long time C++ developers, so we're cautious when it comes to XAML and the managed object world.
We ask: Does it help our products? Does it improve the customer's experience? Does it provide our companies with any advantages? Is it straightforward to use? What do we give up? And most importantly, is it a complete enough design so Microsoft doesn't have to rework it in three years and bankrupt the applications we've written with it in mind?
Bryan and I are proficient enough with C++ so that we're pretty fast and efficient with it. In addition, we have a large collection of tools we've built up over the years. And we've evolved styles of development that leverage being in control--whether its memory management, file structures, communication protocols, or whatever. Many of the C# arguments aren't that compelling with how we work. However, we listen. We watch. Because we know that if there's a "better" way which won't require us to sacrifice the things important to us and our customers, we'll use it. That being said, Bryan puts the alternative succinctly: If Microsoft mucks up the OS and the development process with a bunch of junk, that's it, he's going to Linux. I understand his sentiment.
OK. This is just a fluff post for now. I just wanted to set the stage for some discussions later. I expect Bryan will be posting on Longhorn technologies too. His opinions run stronger than mine much of the time and he's got a technical edge I admire as a mentor. He often gets me thinking. I'll crosslink when he posts. I, on the other hand, typically have to take my time, try things out, and learn by doing. So you guessed it. I'll be dabbling with some "Longhorn" development. I can barely type a single XAML statement without it being branded an error, but I'm going to see how far I can push the XAML concept, particularly in terms of some products I've worked on in the past and yes, ink too. I'm guessing that my understanding of XAML and the other Longhorn technologies are woefully lacking so this is going to be a challenge. It's going to be a side project too, so I'll be doing things in small increments as time permits.
OK. Enough of saying nothing.
Posted by Loren at November 6, 2003 10:17 AM