The end of database-centric design

Where are the database(s) in your mental model of enterprise applications? Are they central with everything revolving around them or are business processes central, with databases revolving around them?
Here is an ITWorld article I wrote that asks some questions around this area.

Linux in US Schools

From the piece:
"A look at the success of Linux in schools, and how it should constitute the model for state and local government."
Get 'em early.

Tim Bray is as mad as hell and I don't blame him

As Tim says. it has gone way too far.

Visual programming

This can work you know. It really can. But not as long as we treat data flow as subservient to algorithm invocation. For algorithms - I think a word will always be worth a thousand pictures.

A novel approach to getting your copy of the truly indespensible GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual

Walter Higgins is getting his via Google Adsense.
I got mine by buying it online from Amazon with a credit card. How Baroque!

Proof positive that the 'killer application' is never where you think it should be

Japan's 'digital shoplifting' plague.