OBE

Got quite a bit done in OBE today. Conditions using Jython now work properly. Added implementations of procedures. Current implementations include a procedure which executes a Java method with reflection and a procedure which executes a Jython script. Also got looping working now including fixing a bug in the XPDL parser which caused the Loop attribute to not be loaded correctly.

A Pinocchio World

The axe has finally fallen and alas Pinocchio is not a real boy after all. WorldCom is just one more company in the long string of companies which are being exposed for what they are: avenues for hucksters to lie, cheat and steal. WorldCom's 3.8 Billion dollar accounting errors are just one more sign of the fact that most corporations are lead by greedy people who could care less about doing the right thing. And you know what's sad: you and I are probably part of the lies. Have you ever stretched the truth for the sake of your employer? I know I have - against my wishes, but I have anyhow. Why? Because we are afraid to really say what we think for fear of being without a job? That might be part of it. More likely it is because no matter how hard you try to be honest, the lies of others creep in around you and create a wall which cannot be scaled. We have to lie - lest we appear as the liar even though we spread the truth.

So what does this have to do with open source? A lot actually. Open source is one of the ways to remove the ability to lie, at least when it comes to software and software development. In open source software everything is out on the table. Everyone can see your source code, your discussions with other developers. In open source projects with CVS you can audit who did what - people can be held accountable for their actions. Keep this in mind as you go along your way: the only way to hold people accountable is to be able to see what they are really doing.

Ah, the joys of blogging. This is my first entry in blog history (well through blogger.com that is)...let's see how this goes.

My name is Anthony Eden and I develop open source Java software. What started off as a simple means for building and maintaining tools which were useful to me has turned into what is almost a full-time job. My open source software includes a web application framework, a form processing framework, a workflow engine and so much more.

Right now my main focus is on the Open Business Engine - my workflow engine. I have rewritten most of it to use the Workflow Management Coalition's XPDL. What a challenge. OBE is almost ready for prime time...more coming soon.