>>>This is not the first time the use of XML instead of OLE DB is discussed. They are not disparate as you may think. For example, several people have been using XML strings instead of ADO recordsets for a long time now.
>>>
>>>The new concept, or at least to me, is that now MS is openly promoting the use of XML instead of OLE DB. You don't see MS disaccrediting its own technologies quite often.
>>
>>Hector;
>>
>>Like the world before .NET and the world of .NET?
>>
>>Tom
>
>OR, the world AFTER .NET?

Jerry;

I did not want to add that one but we know it is coming! Somehow I expect to see such a campaign before .NET is finally released as Visual Studio 7.0, or shortly after it’s introduction. Reminiscent of all the TLA’s that were introduced around January of 2000 by Microsoft and how .NET dropped such technologies when it was introduced a few months later.

As for when Visual Studio 7.0 will be introduced, that is unknown, but Steve Ballmer stated Around April of last year it would not be released until it works. I see that as a positive statement but then I am a developer and like tools that really work as opposed to those that the marketing department hail as the greatest thing "since apple pie"!

Tom