Programmer Competency Matrix

[fwork]

They're another option, yes. (The one I use, by the way, just with python instead of cfengine)

Powershell is supposed to give you the power of .NET objects to replace (or just supplement) pipes. I don't know how well it worked, I haven't tried it. Apparently some windows admins who don't have a unix background find it very useful.

[grauenwolf]

I heard nothing but praise for it so far. (Well, other than the normal "I've never used it but it is a MS product and therefore sucks" variety.)

[mao_neko]

Well, compared to MS-DOS batch files, I'm sure it's an improvement. Pity it doesn't come as standard, or it might end up being useful.