My take on things: Patterns. Awaken, shower, work, eat, sleep. Repeat. Sound familiar?  How about this? Get a customer request, design, build, test and review with the customer, receive change request and bug fixes. Repeat ‘x’ times!  We all live our personal and work lives with good and bad pattern cycles. It is difficult or even painful to change our patterns.  DNN is part of a significant and recent global pattern of creating effective technology based solutions using an open source development and delivery methodology.  DNN is also part of a historical trend in which technological advances break traditional patterns, specifically methods used to build and manage various types of portals.

I would argue that the use of the best tool during any period of time represents a historical cycle of pattern creation and change. Stay with me now – here is the point.  DNN is timed perfectly and is causing traditional solutions, design and development practices to change. I believe DNN will continue to make old patterns break and create new patterns because it represents the best tool in its market segment today.  If you do not think this is the case, ask yourself how has DNN changed your personal domain and work environment, your view on Microsoft and the make or buy technical and business decision process?

Final thought. Growing up, I always looked forward to summer with its care-free feeling; timed perfectly with warm weather, no school and vacation with family and friends.  Subconsciously I convince myself each summer that I can return to this liberating feeling.  In the “anytime, anywhere” world the reality is this is not the case.  Out of habit, commitment or self chosen life-style, I find myself connected via email or phone to employees, customers, friends and family all the time - even vacations, leaving little time for the care-free moments.  What does this have to do with patterns?  One part of an answer is it demonstrates how the latest mobile devices influence my lifestyle and that directly or indirectly it is here to stay.  The other part involves DNN and how it is now a significant part of my personal domain.  The DNN community is 24/7 and this forces active participation to remain connected.  We have chosen to hop on this moving train and go along for the ride even if it means giving up some things along the way.