7.6 Summary

This chapter provides concise descriptions of technologies that are relevant to our case study. This level of information should be sufficient to guide your understanding of the case study, and provides pointers to additional resources. However, we believe that any knowledge derived from reading books and manuals or even attending training is limited and that the only way to fully understand how to apply these technologies is through direct experience. This type of competency can be gained through the use of "toys" or model problems ” prototypes for which the primary purpose is learning. The philosophy inherent in this approach was well stated by Confucius (circa 551 “479 BC ): "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." In the next chapter, we continue our exploration of the design space by looking more closely at transaction technologies.