From the Dark Side--FOSE 2000 Keynote

by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer yesterday morning focused on XML in place of HTML as the future language of e-commerce and e-government. XML is an internet language like HTML but is more flexible in many ways and more rigid in others. XML more or less defines what things are using rigid rules while HTML more or less defines what things look like and is very forgiving with regard its rules. Here is a good Tech Encyclopedia discussion. Ballmer stressed his view that XML is the key to true cross-platform and cross-agency communication. He showed a slide with the NOAA logo as he gave examples where Microsoft has been working with the federal and state governments.