I've just been asked back to do some work for a client continuing from the work I did for them a couple of weeks ago. However, this time round I'll need to do a bit more learning... the conversation went along the lines of "I'd like you to help us to develop a custom ISAPI filter for ISA Server. Oh yes, and there's Biztalk involved now too."
I've never done any work with C++. I'm aware of its existence, naturally, and I occasionally see some C++ code in passing, but that's as far as my experience goes. I did once think about learning it (way back several years ago) but I've been too busy learning everything from ASP to .NET, data access, various servers... just never C++. So that's the first hurdle.
Hurdle number two - I know how to configure ISA Server 2000, but I've not played with 2005 yet. I also know what ISAPI filters are for from web dev exeprience of several years, but I've never researched them or even seen what they look like before they're installed. No idea how you'd plug one into ISA server. And since ISAPI filters are written in C++. this bit sounds nice and difficult.
Oh yeah, and I've never used Biztalk before. I saw some slide shows on the older version of Biztalk a few years ago, but that's all I know
The customer in question knows all of these facts, yet they still want me to work on the project. It's a vote of confidence, and yeah, I love learning new stuff, but bloody hell - what am I letting myself in for?! The project is scheduled to last for around two months, so by the end (assuming I last that long) I'll either be an expert or a vegetable...