Chris:
- "XML is cardboard - you can shape it, ship it..."
- "I don't think XML is the important part - I think what you're transferring with XML is the important part"
Chris is really stressing the point that XML is just the middle-man.
There was a friendly disagreement between Chris and Don that sidetracked things a bit, but it was fun. This whole damn thing is fun. It's the kind of stuff you'd never see at a larger conference.
Chris' talk was provocative enough that he pretty much stopped his talk and opened the floor to discussion.
Don had an interesting comment during one of the exchanges:
"I think of you [Chris/Avalon] as the Dave Winer of Microsoft [audience vocalizes recognition of the sting of the comment ("Oh no you di'int - oh no you di'int! ooooooooohhhhhhhhhh")]. Me, Tim, and our group are too close too the pipe, but your team sees XML as a means to an end [audience relaxes a bit - this is actually a pretty nice comment, essentially translating to "You're sane."]."
"Artist's" interpretation of the proceedings, focusing on the exchange between Don and Chris
I have, of course, greatly exaggerated (read: lied) in this picture about how things really went down.
I can't stress enough, though, just how cool this format is. Chris did a spiffy job of discussing his talk with the audience while he was giving it, and Don did a good job of adding perspective. It's nuts.
Then Tim Ewald stood up and provided his feedback. It's weird when Tim talks. I've always been a fan of:
- His voice
- The shape of his head
I wish my head were shaped like his, and I'd also like to hear him sing in a choir.
But that is neither here nor there.
It just makes it hard for me to pay complete attention to what he's saying because I can't stop thinking, "What a cool head. Why can't I have a head like that? My head sucks."
Then I imagine him singing Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire."
Oh, yeah. XML.
I should probably mention that, too.
XML, XML, XML.
(I think that just about covers my ass for XML mentions in this post)