Interview with a Wiki Ninja: Howard S. Edidin

We're continuing our Monday series, "Monday - Community Interview". Today it is Howard S. Edidin!

Howard is a veteran in the industry and still going strong.

I really appreciate Howards opinion of the TechNet Wiki:

 "You do not have to be a MVP or expert in order to post an article. An article can provide a high-level view or go into detail on a subject."

Who are you, and what do you do?

I am an Architect that specializes in BizTalk and Windows Server AppFabric. With the introduction of Windows Azure BizTalk Services (WABS), I will be adding it to my specialties.

I have been working with BizTalk over twelve years now. Since most of my work has been contract, I have had the chance to implement BizTalk in many industries and utilized almost all of BizTalk’s capabilities. 

About two years ago I started my own consulting firm, Edidin Group, Inc. I have one employee, my son Mark, who is following in my footstep and is becoming an excellent BizTalk Developer.

This also brings me to what else I do. Besides Architecture, I provide guidance and training to my clients on BizTalk Development, Administration, and Operations. I am also a totally hands-on person, being a firm believer that “You cannot design it without being able to build it”.

Recently I took a contract-to-hire with Sogeti in Chicago.

What do you do with TechNet Wiki, and how does that fit into the rest of your job?

Since BizTalk is a complex product and used to solve so many problem, I utilize the TechNet Wiki to find answers to questions, read about new (and sometimes old way that I have forgotten about) ways to use BizTalk, and to keep up to date in general.

Many versions ago, there was application called “Hitchhikers Guide to BizTalk”.  I forget who published it. I utilized this Guide in the same way I use the TechNet Wiki.

How does writing Wiki articles differ or is similar to writing a book? Your ESB book you co-authored with Andres del Rio was just released right?

There is a great difference between writing Wiki articles and writing a book. But there are also a few similarities. The main difference is when you write a Wiki article you are proving information on a single subject. Many of the Wiki articles are a single source for referencing other Wiki articles and external Blog Posts. Others provide key information on a subject. Although I had published one lengthy article that was a tutorial about using BPMN in Visio for designing and documenting BizTalk Solutions, I believe Wiki articles should a reasonable length for viewing on-line.

Just the other day, PackT Publishing released the book I co-authored with my good friend Andres Del Rio. Andres is also a contributor the Wiki. The book is “Microsoft BizTalk ESB Toolkit 2.1”.

This is the second book I co-authored. The first being “Microsoft BizTalk Administration Essentials” (authors Howard S. Edidin, Andres del Rio, and Steef-Jan Wiggers), which we decided to give away free on BizTalkAdminsBlogging.com.

What are your favorite articles you’ve contributed?

There are two articles; “Using Visio 2010 BPMN to Design, Model and Document BizTalk Solutions” and “The BizTalk Anti-Pattern List”. When I get a little free time, I plan on updating the first to include Visio 2013.

Do you have any tips for new Wiki contributors?

• You do not have to be a MVP or expert in order to post an article. An article can provide a high-level view or go into detail on a subject.
• You can also modify an existing article by appending new information, or removing information that is no longer valid.
• Try to keep your personal opinions out of what you write.
• The Wiki is all about sharing knowledge.  If you have something that would be of interest, the Wiki is a great place to share it.

Thanks Howard for all your dedication and support for BizTalk and your contributions to the TechNet Wiki.

 - Ninja Steef-Jan (Blog, Wiki, Twitter, Profile)