Phil Windley doesn’t get WS-MetadataExchange:
I’m just not clear on why a simple URL isn’t good enough. Why do we need to invent new RPC-style request/response pairs?
The reason is simple: It’s because of a conscious decision not to depend on HTTP. And I’m becoming more and more convinced that this is the wrong path. The more I read and think about it, the more convinced I become that ignoring what HTTP and REST offer leads to re-inventing the same functionality on another layer.
Using HTTP and REST is some research I am working on with Dr. Windley. We are trying to see if we can use WS-* standards with HTTP instead of a new layer. It is still in the early research stages but you can see some of the stuff by going to http://www.dan-olsen.org/research/index.php/Web_Services and any input from individuals would be appreciated as the project progresses.