Re: RPG and Web.. (was Using OO concepts in RPG)

[Jeff Crosby <jlcrosby@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hans Boldt wrote:

> To be fair, that's not an unreasonable argument. But I still like 
> playing devil's advocate, so here goes a counter argument:
>
> Let's say your competitor down the road has a staff of two developers 
> fluent in tools that provide a definite productivity improvement. That 
> may well translate into a competitive edge for that other company. What 
> does your company do then? Push your IT staff to work harder to keep up 
> with the competition? Cut the education budget for your IT staff 
> further? Cut corners elsewhere in your company?

At what point does an IT person need to put a 'hold' on learning yet 
another programming language or latest IT stuff so he/she can actually 
learn something about the _business_?  We're all mortal and can only 
cram so much into our little heads, at least in my case.  I argue that 
at some point my being thoroughly knowledgeable about the food 
distribution business is far more beneficial to my company when I write 
software than what programming language I used.  The fact that I got it 
done and "it's just what I wanted!" is what is important.

When does a carpenter have enough tools in his/her toolbox such that 
buying another and learning how to use it is not really necessary?  When 
does an IT person have enough 'tools' in his/her toolbox such that 
buying/learning another is not really necessary as opposed to making do 
with what is already known?  I argue that is a very tough question on a 
very complex issue that has a unique answer for every carpenter and for 
every IT person.

--
Jeff Crosby
Dilgard Frozen Foods, Inc.
P.O. Box 13369
Ft. Wayne, IN 46868-3369
260-422-7531

The opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily
the opinion of my company.  Unless I say so.