The webUML initiative wants to simply "set UML free". It wants to release it from the desktop and bring it to the world wide web, where online technologies enable a more social way of modelling.
CASE tools have evolved dramatically over the past few years, offering state-of-the-art model transformations and code generation. But at the same time they haven't evolved a single bit when it comes to the one entity that, in the end, makes or breaks any model: the modeller. The modeller still just has a incredible piece of technology sitting in front of him, but it doesn't offer him a simple way to collaborate with other modellers, besides those in the same group, using the same tool, connected to the same in-house repository.
Take a look around: The world wide web version two point oh my god, everybody's online, poking each other, tweeting and re-tweeting, chatting, gaming, blogging,... Everybody's doing it, except for UML and the CASE tool gang. They stay in their little desktop corner, playing just with their own selected group of friends and while the others are having fun, sharing and combining so many great toys, they only play with their toys, which they also only keep to themselves. But you can't really blame them. Afterall, they have been bullied for a long time...
UML's early years were pretty rocky. From day one UML has received tons of critique. Some of it was justified, some of it wasn't. But even with such resistance, it stood strong and after about 10 years, it seems that UML is still around and more alive than ever. The critique has died out and it seems that UML is ready for a second life, being accepted by the other kids on the block.
With the advent of such a public resurrection, we also need to raise the bar for UML and CASE tools. It's not good enough to be just accepted, we need to blend in, we need to learn to play by the new rules. It's no longer the year 2000, it's 2010. Welcome to the future.
If you too believe that UML should be made available on the world wide web, read what you can do right now.
 The webUML initiative is a non-commercial and open call for action to the entire online community. It was conceived by Christophe VG and realized by TheSoftwareFactory as an initial sponsor. |
 the webUML initiative by http://webuml.org is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Belgium License. |
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| This page was last modified on 17 January 2010 at 09:19 and has been accessed 541 times. (Editor Login) | ||
