Uche Ogbuji wrote:

I read this, and I decided not to comment, because there is not much nice to say.

Goddess knows XML has its problems but in effect this guys is saying "I designed an XML app using XML in a very dumb way, and the app disappointed me.  The fault must lie with XML".

Almost every point he touches on is one that I've spent a decade advising clients to deal with successfully.

Fair enough, but this was in 2000 - when I think the XML hype was at its height.  I mostly pointed to it as lessons learned, though by some more than others!

I wouldn't say that the fault lies with XML - but I'd happily say that the fault lies with common practices around XML, practices that I still hear regularly in conversations about how people would like to handle their data.

Bottom line: use XML where it's best suited, and employ good XML and systems design.  I know.  Obvious, right?  :)

In 2009, to people who know a fair amount about XML - yes.  To the rest of the world - I'm not so sure!