Why WebObjects is no success
Why WebObjects is no success
- Subject: Why WebObjects is no success
- From: Wolf Naegeli <email@hidden>
- Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 21:23:58 -0500
In market penetration, I mean.
It's not because of the product proper, I bet.
It's also not merely because of poor, virtually absent marketing.
It's because of the packaging
Apple claims it's quick and easy to get started with WO...
That might be true if one's needs are covered by their example D2W
applications, but has been completely opposite to my experience.
I looked at using WebObjects two or three times over the years when
starting new projects that had simple needs at first but good
potential to grow into big complex sites.
Being on short deadlines, I thought I could use D2W initially to
quickly whip something into shape using the "out of the box"
features--as claimed by WO glossies--and then gradually learn more
about it as needs arose and time permitted.
I upgraded to the latest versions, but every time, I found that the
documentation was incomplete and basic examples were missing. Two
things in particular were stumbling blocks that caused us to abandon
the idea of using WO.
1) Needing to put a read-only database table on the Web, I was unable
to find instructions, nor to quickly figure out myself, how to
eliminate or bypass the log-in page that D2W insisted on generating,
without breaking the application, that is. The login page was not
only unnecessary, but unacceptable for the planned site.
I'm sure I would eventually have figured it out if I had had the
luxury to dig into it, but completing the tutorial and browsing the
manuals didn't get me there. At that point, there was no time left to
waste, so I put WO back on the shelf. Instead I used tools I was
already familiar with! That decision also seemed the most prudent
because I didn't see any documentation on how to add more features to
a D2W application.
2) Another time, I was trying to put together a straightforward input
form. (I don't know much Java--though I've worked with more than a
dozen other programming and scripting languages and usually have
little trouble picking up a new one.) Nothing in the materials that
came with the box, on the CDs, and on Apple's Developer website
explained clearly and completely, how to actually enable check boxes,
radio buttons, and pull-down menus.
I also searched the Web for examples that I might copy, but didn't
find any usable source code for what I thought were common and quite
basic needs.
Another opportunity lost to use WO!
Also, I quickly got the hang of EO Modeler, I almost didn't need the
tutorial-style manual, but the lack of a complete reference and
minimal online help left lingering questions about important details
that are still lingering.
I upgraded to WO 5.2 but apart from documentation of new features,
there didn't seem to be any additional information filling the gaps
that had become show stoppers previously.
It's been about two years since my last attempt and with a little bit
of encouragement, I might try again soon.
I see that a few books have since been published on WO 5.x.
- Are they much help in overcoming Apple's inattention to providing
crucial instructions and know-how?
- Which, if any of them, answer the questions I mentioned above?
- I found WOCode.com which has some downloads that sound interesting,
though the berefity or absence of descriptions will make it tedious
to sift through those holdings.
- Are there any shareware sites that sell WO source for major
components and common web applications, such as guest books, FACs,
user surveys, membership signup, etc. like one can buy for a few
bucks written in PHP or Perl?
At 9:33 AM -0800 2/27/04, Marcelo Ruiz Camauer wrote:
And no matter how many books you
read on any technology, nothing beats a good tutor or class to get
started in it.
_ Where can I find that?
- Has Apple discontinued WebObjects training courses?
There used to be some very expensive ones in Cupertino, any once in a
blue moon and very expensive, particularly considering the long trip.
I would greatly appreciate any hints and pointers.
Wolf
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