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.
Nice work Howard!
Congratulations Howard S. Edidin.
Congrats Howard!
Congrats Howard!
Very impressed by your work, Howard!
Steef-Jan,
Thank you for allowing me to share with the community.
Great job as usual Howard!
I added a link to Howard's profile. Thank you, Howard, for all your contributions to TNWiki!
Howard, I just found a comment you left on our first blog post from October 2011!
blogs.technet.com/…/welcome-to-wiki-ninjas.aspx
Congratulations