Category Archives: tech

There is a rift…

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There is a rift in the IT field.  At a time long ago (before I cared), the IT worker was highly specialized and the technology new.  One person could do it all – networking, workstation maintenance, programming.  Not one field was so specialized that it took all of the IT workers’ time and concentration.  That was then, this is now.

As I read my textbook on data and computer communications I have to ask myself, “how does this help me write the next hot program?”

This:

Network Specialist

Network Specialist - © DCI Career Institute

Is not this:

Software Developers

Software Developers - © Jurgen Appelo

I can’t figure out how it does. Do I need to know how data travels over wire? I would like to write mobile apps that communicate to data sources; does that mean I need to know HOW they communicate or can I just assume that what I tell it to do will be what the app does?

Networking has become so big and so important that it takes someone a lifetime of dedication to master. just as programming as become much larger with the introduction of mobile app stores.  When entering a college IT program, after the decision is made regarding curriculum focus, there should be no intermingling of the two fields.

In my photography program, I had to take an art class as well as a color-theory class.  I don’t know what that did for me in the way of photography.  Perhaps I retained the lessons unconsciously and use them without knowing?

I invite anyone to leave a comment to tell me how misguided I am or to agree with me.  I will like the people that agree with me.

Working Modularly with….?

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I remember years ago watching episode 11 of the CSS-Tricks. screen cast, Working Modularly with PHP and thinking, “Wow, PHP. I just started school, I have no idea what Chris is talking about.” I didn’t pay attention to that one and it was quickly forgotten.

2 years later, I’m finally programming for a living and guess what..? The company I work for builds pages MODULARLY. We use ASP (another dead language I have to learn) but the concept is still the same with any scripting language: instead of copy and pasting the same header code from page to page, why not build a header page and include it with a little code. Duh. Adding new links and header images has become unfathomably easy. The functions to name pages is a little advanced but not hard to learn.

The concept is ridiculously simple and yet it was left out of my earlier curriculum. I’m done bitching about what I DON’T learn in school, there is just too much. However, modern concepts should be introduced.