Arguably, I should learn more about Java.  At times I do feel the need to understand the Java industry, J2EE, EJB, and Sun, and all that goes with it.  I have been bred, indoctrinated, and inculcated if you will in the Microsoft religion.  And believe me, I am very happy as a devoted MS developer.  It goes without saying, however, that as a consultant I should broaden my horizons.  This would empower me in many ways, ways in which I am not yet empowered. ;)  I have written a few small (very small) programs in Java in an effort to become familiar with it but that was several years ago.  And honestly, having a strong background in C#/C++ I found its syntax welcoming and pretty straight forward.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to delve into many Microsoft technologies and feel very much at home writing applications for Windows.  Regardless of whether the apps are of the Managed (.NET) variety or native Win32 applications I'm very much at home.  Whether the apps are your traditional desktop, single-user apps, or multi-user client/server apps, or enterprise-worthy applications that leverage COM+ services I feel comfortable designing and constructing such applications.  I wouldn't have the faintest idea, on the other hand, how to begin to design, architect, program, and deploy such an application using Java and the Java-based tools.

I feel a lot like N. Alex Rupp as he expresses in his blog.  He raises several valid points, focusing on the US vs THEM attitude that developers seem to exhibit.  I have felt the schizm that for some reason exists between Microsoft and non-Microsoft developers (Is it me or is the industry extremely polarized?  Either you hate MS or you love them...there's very little middle ground).  I prefer not to take sides, always attempting to weigh the matter at hand.  When it comes to technology and tools, I have a strong tendency to lean towards MS for the reasons mentioned above.  I also share in their vision and their perception of computing.  I feel that the schizm exists primarily due to a lack of understanding of the other party.  We must all be educated.