Re: Newbie Questions

Glenn,

In a message dated 98-10-09 09:03:50 EDT, you write:

> I personally don't think the latest set of newbie questions belong here.  If
you
>  can't figure out the VERY basics of cl programming then you haven't checked
the
>  manual first.  Same goes for the simple task of how to display the
different
>  record formats of a display file etc.  This stuff is day one in the ATS
courses so
>  I don't know where these people are studying this stuff.  The manuals show
a ton
>  of examples and they're all on-line.  They should also just check out the
source
>  of programs already on their AS/400 that other people have written.

Ahhh, but therein lies my point.  I do not know from whence the questions
originated but, in case nobody's looked lately, there ARE NO MANUALS.  It
wasn't that long ago that I worked for an agent firm -- very profitable but
the most advanced PC system in the building was a PS/2 Model 30.  No CD-ROM
except for a shared model that you had to fight over.  Overseas, they don't
have a P166 or better with a CD-ROM on every desktop.  Older AS/400's don't
have a CD-ROM either.  While ATS is a good primer, it certainly is no
substitute for a good mentor.  Don't forget that most shops can't afford ATS
_OR_ the IBM online training.

>  At the last insurance company I worked for, we hired a graduate from school
that
>  didn't know an AS/400 from an NT Server and never looked at clp, rpg, etc.
He
>  dived into the ATS courses we had and the manuals and he never asked me any
>  basic questions forget about sending an e-mail message to a public forum
like
>  this.

Yes, but he _HAD_ the ATS courses _AND_ manuals.  Many employees and students
lack these basic resources.  Many of them lack good instructors, as well.
Personally, I hate to discourage _ANYONE_.  We've got more than our share of
"lurkers" here, and someone legitmately seeking to improve themselves (_AND_
posting) warms my heart...

JMHO,

Dean Asmussen
Enterprise Systems Consulting, Inc.
Fuquay-Varina, NC  USA
E-Mail:  DAsmussen@aol.com

"Those who agree with us may not be right, but we admire their astuteness." --
Cullen Hightower
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