The real problem I ran into when working on a basically the same idea was how to maintain a population of millions of objects (most small, some large) and keep performance at a decent level.
Most of the criticisms in the various replies can be answered by bringing more object classes into the mix.
Careful algorithm design is required to avoid touching every object in the system unless there is a specific reason to do so. When the total set of objects will fit in memory it isn't much of a problem. When the object population starts swapping to disk, though, and you try to send a message to each one, then performance goes down the tubes.
The project seems eminently doable and I encourage them to keep going.
Russian kettlebells are really great! I had never been physically active, yet at 50 I got a trainer who taught me how to use them. Unlike regular weightlifting, kettlebells (like a cannon ball, only with a handle) increase your strength AND your balance and flexibility. Highly recommended.
raffe, there is a distinct cultural difference between Sweden and the US. Swedes tend to trust government and expect it to be responsive to their needs. To the great credit of their government, and indeed the people of Sweden, the Swedish government has historically met these expectations (not perfectly but pretty consistently). Some fracturing of this social compact appears to have happened in recent years with the introduction of large non-Swedish populations who bring a different set of values to the table. I wish you all the best in overcoming your current difficulties.
People in the US tend to be much more diverse in their view of the proper role of government, in how much it can be trusted, and in how responsive it will be to their needs. This is currently being played out in the Presidential primary elections. Slashdot also brings a number of semi-anarchists, er, people who don't fully trust the government to the table!;)
Slashdot Mirror
The real problem I ran into when working on a basically the same idea was how to maintain a population of millions of objects (most small, some large) and keep performance at a decent level. Most of the criticisms in the various replies can be answered by bringing more object classes into the mix. Careful algorithm design is required to avoid touching every object in the system unless there is a specific reason to do so. When the total set of objects will fit in memory it isn't much of a problem. When the object population starts swapping to disk, though, and you try to send a message to each one, then performance goes down the tubes. The project seems eminently doable and I encourage them to keep going.
Now we'll just have to build an open source REST/SOAP bridge, if one doesn't already exist! ;)
Russian kettlebells are really great! I had never been physically active, yet at 50 I got a trainer who taught me how to use them. Unlike regular weightlifting, kettlebells (like a cannon ball, only with a handle) increase your strength AND your balance and flexibility. Highly recommended.
raffe, there is a distinct cultural difference between Sweden and the US. Swedes tend to trust government and expect it to be responsive to their needs. To the great credit of their government, and indeed the people of Sweden, the Swedish government has historically met these expectations (not perfectly but pretty consistently). Some fracturing of this social compact appears to have happened in recent years with the introduction of large non-Swedish populations who bring a different set of values to the table. I wish you all the best in overcoming your current difficulties.
;)
People in the US tend to be much more diverse in their view of the proper role of government, in how much it can be trusted, and in how responsive it will be to their needs. This is currently being played out in the Presidential primary elections. Slashdot also brings a number of semi-anarchists, er, people who don't fully trust the government to the table!
(OT) Posts like these are the reason I wade through the dreck on /.! Thanks folks!