I hope to be able to read this article or another one like it in ten years and read retrospective reviews that wonder why we technologist were in such a state of denial. Complexity leads to simplicity. Until something becomes turnkey, people will evolve that form of transportation, device, or technology until it is turnkey. There appears to be at least two primary reasons. The first is a desire to empower the individual, and the second is a gain in revenue by marketing to the masses.
Software is and has been in a state of complexity. There are many dis-joined technologies and complex orchestrations that require advanced and rigorous management techniques with highly skilled resources. This is still true even after many technological advances. Many vendors and entrepreneurs are aware of this. Prior to the bubble bursting, there were many vendors attempting to market Application Service Providers through the Internet. There were many issues with this at the time with respect to performance, acceptance, and the complexity of automating technology. Then the bubble burst. So, ventures to provide Software As A Service have been deemed too risky by capitalist. On the other hand, vendors that provide online Site Builders, CRM's, and Store Fronts are successful and gaining acceptance.
Why is it that the database, servers, object programming, and other technological complexities not automated? If the technologies were automated to the extent that complexity is hidden from the end u
Online forms, online databases, and business processes created by end users is now possible on the Internet. The Internet is the delivery mechanism for content, is gaining ground as a mechanism for composite web services, and has nothing stopping it from being able to deliver tools for end users to define complex business systems with relative simplicity. With that said, the Internet is evolving through automation of the underlying technologies.
Richard is a practicing architect in the field of information technology. His primary focus is Internet enabled composite software that is available at http://www.netprocesses.com