The answer?
In a post explaining Python for Java developers, there's a hilarious paraphrasing of a comment on RegEx:
XML is not the answer. It is not even the question. To paraphrase Jamie Zawinski on regular expressions, "Some people, when confronted with a problem, think "I know, I'll use XML." Now they have two problems."
Heh. Oh, read the entire post as well. Everything he said about Python relative to Java goes for Smalltalk as well.
Comments
I'd attribute that to Erik Naggum.
[Gordon Weakliem] December 6, 2004 12:23:27.523
I've actually run into that one in an older USENET posting by Erik Naggum.
Yes
[Hmmm...] December 6, 2004 19:08:34.960
So true... but it sure justifies some people's salary!
The reverse is also true?
[Rob] December 7, 2004 5:34:46.083
In a follow up posting Java is not Python, either, the author examines things that the Python community could perhaps learn from the Java community. Would you say the Smalltalk could learn the same things.
My own personal experience would suggest *yes* is the answer - particularly in light of the partially fragmented nature of different smalltalk platforms; where only a few packages can be transferred between implementations, most being impossible or requiring work.