Tyler Blogs

Today I completed my third day at University of Texas at Tyler. I am studying Computer Information Systems, and have 2 years of classes to complete the degree requirements.
Many IT professionals have opinions about the direction that IT education is going, most from the perspective of an employer or IT manager. That's important, but there is also the perspective of the student that may need to be considered. Or, even the instructors in a computer science department. That's what I am going to try to log.
Whereas most students are in their early 20's and are going to get their degrees, I am an older student with a perspective that may be a little more practical, that looks at workplace opportunities and needs.
Instead of looking at the value of having some letters behind my name when I'm looking for a job, I wonder how my education is going to help me perform in my field. What am I missing and what am I looking forward to? Similarly, what does the university and credentialing organization think I need to know to earn a B.S. and the right to be called an IT professional?

I come to class with a 20+ year background in personal computer experience and study, based on need and availability. I know a number of languages, lots of applications and much of the basics behind computer building and maintenance.
What I would like to learn is everything there is to know about networking and security. I'm not criticizing the value of an IT education, at least not yet, but I do have questions.

An answer to one of those questions came from an instructor yesterday when he described the experience level of a group of IT professionals. His assurance to us as a class was that we would be learning more than most systems analysts working today, or something to that effect. Paraphrasing, he also said that most IT professionals don't have 10 years experience, but 6 months experience repeated about 20 times. Many pros live and work in a narrow swath of the industry, but we would be learning new things every day we study, participate and evaluate our abilities.

That prompts another question. So, what's more important, experience or education? My answer to that must begin with "It depends." A person's professional value must combine education (formal or not) and experience with performance, and take into consideration the scope of both education and experience. You can learn from both, and it is that applied knowledge that makes an IT professional valuable.

But, then, what applied knowledge is valuable in this field? That's what I'll be finding out.

A family member recently sent this zodiac description of my sign, and I was amazed at the accuracy of the description. Sure, any random commentary on a person's character has a chance at getting a few things right, but this... This personality analysis, in every detail, is the antithesis of my character.

SAGITTARIUS - The Happy-Go-Lucky One (Nov 22 - Dec 21)
Good-natured optimist. Doesn't want to grow up (Peter Pan
Syndrome). Indulges self. Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling.
Social and outgoing. Doesn't like responsibilities. Often
fantasizes. Impatient. Fun to be around. Having lots of friends.
Flirtatious. Doesn't like rules. Sometimes hypocritical. Dislikes
being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes. Doesn't like
being doubted. Beautiful inside and out.

Before I started reading this, I was skeptical of zodiacal predictions and analyses. It is difficult to be a critic of everything and be optimist. I feel that too much optimism demonstrates a person's immaturity, and I don't particularly like immature people. I'm not indulgent. I buy stuff when I need it, and look for things that are practical. Luxuries are wasteful if it doesn't have a purpose.
I'm a down to earth kind of person, and want things that are stable, secure, and try to be that kind of person. Risk-taking is just another quality of the childish personality.
I'm quiet (in person), and try to tend to my own business. I don't dislike people, but I don't have or need a lot of friends. I like rules, order and organization. But, then, I also find humor in things, like this caricature of some other people. It wouldn't be bad to be this kind of person. I like some people that are like this, but as some famous person once said, "I yam what I yam."

Oh..., wait..., there's one..., the last one, "beautiful inside and out". I guess that could be me. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

From the City of Tyler news website:

Mayor launches Q&A web page
Do you have a question for the Mayor? Are you interested in what other people ask the Mayor? Do you want to learn more about what is going on at the City? If so, you will want to take a look at the new Ask the Mayor

Of course, this isn't new. I am thinking of two other local examples of such services, one at UTHSCT and the other at The Tyler Paper. As a service to employees, UTHSCT established an internal site called The Scoop. Modeled after another institution's site, it's purpose was to address rumors by answering questions about employees' concerns. Oddly enough, that site was down for maintenance during some of their layoffs. On a little different note, registered readers of the Tyler Paper can post comments on the news.

Unlike the FAQ that accompany software and other products and services, such Q&A resources are primarily PR in nature. In addition, there are several issues that such Q&A systems address, besides answering questions.

Authority
Primarily, a Q&A establishes authority. Any answers are presented as the authoritative word on the issue. When a Q&A is a part of the establishment that is being questioned, whether the City of Tyler, or Beijing (Pravda), its integrity can be questioned. (There is a reason we don't have government controlled media.)

Discussion Closed
Along the same lines, the second major reason for a Q&A is to close discussion. When a question is answered, that answer is presented as the final answer. Related questions can then be ignored. Similarly, based on the Q&A's so far, the City site is leaning strongly toward this with repeated mention of Tyler 21 with the clear message, "It's part of Tyler 21, Discussion Closed."

Censorship
Another problem with many Q&As is that sometimes questions are not answered at all, either because they are supposedly similar to questions already answered or because they are too controversial.
Shortly after submitting a comment on the tylerpaper.com site, I got notice about their new policy, including a note that harassing comments won't be posted.

Coverup
Not unlike political speech, carefully crafted answers expose just enough of the truth to maintain control over the situation. Several years ago, when the senior pastor of Bethel Bible Church resigned, it wasn't until weeks later that we discovered that his resignation was requested, that the elders wanted to go in a different direction. Partial truths are almost always lies. Such are some of the answers to many Q&As.

There really is nothing like the dialog of free speech as guaranteed by our Bill of Rights. Whenever the exchange of ideas is controlled, no matter what method is being used, freedom suffers. Don't accept any substitutes.

Times must be getting hard, and the big guys are having to take drastic measures. Last week I wrote about Lowe's unknown price hike, and this week there's Newegg's renege on an advertised price. My last email has all the details.

I understand fluctuations in prices, but...
It seems that posting that a "sale price" is good until a certain date and then not honoring that price up until that date is false advertising.
And in a blogging world, a bad business practice as well.
Now I'll be sure NOT to get it at Newegg.

On 10 Jul 2008 at 0:53, Newegg.com Customer Support wrote:

Dear customer,
Thank you for contacting Newegg.
We do not offer any sort of price protection. All the items and the prices are posted on our website in real time. Due to the constant fluctuation of prices in this industry, the cost of our inventory is changing regularly. Items costs on our website reflect this, as they are adjusted daily. Our product pricing is determined by our Marketing and Purchasing departments collaboratively due to various circumstances.
Unfortunately, this information is not passed onto Customer Service, and we are unable to provide information for this particular inquiry. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. If you still need assistance, please feel free to email me directly and I will be happy to assist you.
Thank you,
Linda Zhang

Date: 7-9-2008
========== Original Message ==========
Name: Dana Bell
Item#:N82E16828113212

Message: A couple days ago, this printer Brother HL-5250DN showed to
be on sale at 169.99 until 7/11. When I checked back today, it did not
show the sale price. What happened?

I came across this help wanted ad in the Tyler Paper today.

Our365 has an opening for a strong sales & customer service oriented person to take babies' first official photos at Trinity - Mother Frances Hospital...

The wording on the ad caught my attention and two questions popped into my head.
What makes these photos official?
Are parents and relatives allowed to take photos at Trinity Mother Frances?

Theatres all but prohibit customers from bringing in refreshments so they can sell their overpriced popcorn, candy and soft drinks.
Are the hospitals going to start limiting photos to those that are taken by the official hospital photographer?

Then a third question comes to mind. How much are they going to charge? In this digital photography age, photos are easy to take. Good photos require a little more expertise. Unfortunately, there are many photography chains that replace expertise with workflow in a captive market. The basic package is reasonable. Anything else is exorbitant.

In any captive market, clients are very often pressured and overcharged. I've visited a number of photographers that hold their clients hostage, playing one family member against another with low quality photos that were taken by minimum wage workers at places like Wal-mart. The customer is very often on the losing end.

The best thing is to not play the game. Just stay away.