I'm having to learn to do web services in Java. I've avoided learning this because web services are, in my opinion, little more than an extremely complicated layer that sits on top of what should be a fairly simple technology. They're nothing more than CGI scripts which spit out XML, and handling that shouldn't be difficult, but like all things "enterprisey," if it doesn't take 10,000 lines of XML and code, it's not good enough.
Any of you who don't know what I mean, but who have enough of a background in software development or a C.S. degree, go download the full distribution of Spring Web Services, open up the samples and read the code and configuration files for the "echo" web service. It will make you weep that this is what passes for "Hello World" these days. With every new version, Java's learning curve for neophytes steadily approaches a 90 degree angle.
The only solace I take in all of this is that if I can wrap my head around this needlessly complicated technology, in 15 years Java will be the next COBOL and I'll be paid ridiculously well (enough cash to fill 2 wheel barrels, not 1, for buying bread at the market).
The difference between "progress" and a hampster wheel is the latter at least burns calories
So you are planing to trade the wheelbarrows for bread?
No. I might still need them to carry other piles of cash to the bonfire to help us cook our stone soup.
I have just enough CS experience to feel a pang of sympathy reading your post; I wish you instead a cart and burro for the obscene piles of FSRs that you will be earning. ;)