Look, Up In The Skype...

One of Java's main competitors in the market for enterprise-application-languages is C#, specifically as implemented by Microsoft's .NET framework. The development environment for .NET is Visual Studio, and when I moved into my office a year and a half ago, I found this poster advertising Visual Studio 2005:

The text reads "...Mr. Infinity harnesses the power and flexibility of the .NET framework to combat the feature creep."

So, that's cute, a superhero mascot. But here's the thing, if "Mr. Infinity" is supposed to be some kind of representation of the .NET framework, then I want nothing to do with it. Let's start with the image:

First, it lacks symmetry or cohesion. His gloves don't match. He only wears half a belt. He's wearing something that looks like it ought to be a cape, but his arms have come through it, so it's more of a really long vest. How does any of that make sense? At least his name kinda works. The Visual Studio logo contains a stylized infinity symbol that has been incorporated into his mask, and kudos for going with "Mr." instead of "Captain".

Now let's talk about the blurb. Disregarding the leading ellipsis, apparently Mr. Infinity is fighting his nemesis, the Feature Creep. Also cute. "Feature creep" is a real problem, but it's not the kind of problem that can be solved by your choice of framework. It's a problem of scope: when you keep adding and adding features until the software gets overbloated or runs out of money without being completed. So, there's no reason the .NET framework would help you with this. Also, Mr. Infinity doesn't "embody" the .NET framework according the blurb, he "harnesses" it. Does this mean that you have to have superpowers in order to use Visual Studio 2005?

Lastly, there's a philosophical consideration. Visual Studio is a building tool. Mr. Infinity is not shown to have any particular superpower, but it's intimated that he is largely combative. Would it not have made more sense to show Mr. Infinity building something with his superpowers? Maybe he could build a bridge to get people to safety from a burning or collapsing building. Rather than "fight" a villain that can't be "beaten" with software.

I'll stick with Java, thanks.

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