Microsoft just announced the release of BizTalk Server 2006 R2 (note to Microsoft, it's nearly 2008) which apparently is the cornerstone of their SOA strategy (please insert Nelson Muntz Ha-ha!

That's a half-Nelson as in Nelson Muntz of The Simpsons, not a full "HA-ha" but a quick little "ha." It was very clear when I was there that anybody who wanted a long term career in Nortel had to be ...