mca blog

it's been a very interesting year for me.

first, my work projects have been rather enlightening. we produced an entirely new XML-based content system that work rather well. it's now relatively easy to produce content that renders well in most all browsers and includes a decent amount of work-flow support. this is no real feat. it's been done before [g]. but, in our case, there are a number of constraints we have to deal with (client support, old code/workflows, limited time/money, etc.) that gave us some challenges. all in all it's been a good year of building that will - hopefully - pay off in 2008 as we start to release working web apps/sites based on this new system.

also, i spent a good deal of my personal time learning HTTP/REST principles. this has *really* paid off for me in several ways. first, i finally *get* HTTP. it makes a lot more sense to me now. second, i pretty much understand the REST constraint model, too. while i'm not a 'guru' in this space, i think i have a pretty good handle on the concepts and related implementation issues. it has given me lots to think about as a go about implementing web apps day-to-day.

in addition, i've used the HTTP/REST experience to write a web engine (exyus) that is designed to support the REST constraint model. this has also been a great experience. by going through the details of implementing a REST-like programming model, i've had to deal with caching, GET vs. POST, PUT w/ ETags, etc. i've also finally getting to the point of understanding representation (MIME-type) issues and how they play in the HTTP space. finally, all this REST work has led me to a better appreciation of Microformats and Atom. i have even started to implement some Atom-based content. it makes a lot more sense to me than it did a year ago.

finally, all this success in the past year has spurred me on. i now have a sense that what i need to do (what works for *me*) is to set some annual goals tech-wise and devise ways to meet them. what i need to do is pick a technology and work to learn it well. so i plan to do the same in 2008.

in the coming year, i plan on focusing on RDF and Sematic Web issues. that will also mean i need to continue to improve my HTTP/REST work as well as continue to work on CSS and javascript. i'm looking forward to it!