RE: New RPG programmers

["Bruce Guetzkow" <bruceg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

To:  Scott Klement...

Since I know you are in Milwaukee, I can tell you that MBTI used to
teach RPG (II) as that is where I got my initial training.  Of course, I
graduated in 1985, so I don't know what their curriculum is today.  At
that time, the RPG course was 5 or 6 weeks (5-6 hours per day), which
included "free" time to work on assignments (or play sheepshead as some
of us also did).  Our big "extra credit project" was to participate in
an IPL of their main computer (can't remember what it was), including
loading the card deck...pretty exciting stuff!

To:  All...

I've worked in RPG II, III/400 and now IV/ILE (fixed & free) and love
the changes.  I hope the real reason people are moving to RPG IV and ILE
is for the added benefits that the enhancements allow us, not just
because it's new.

I'm one of those "starting-to-grey" types, at least the few hairs I have
left are starting to grey, but still like to learn new things.  We need
to find ways to motivate those people that refuse to learn new
techniques to continue to grow, not only for their company but for
themselves.  Yes, the old ways still work, but some of the new ways work
even better, and the combination of experience, system knowledge and
enhanced techniques is formidable.

RPG can be just as sexy as any other language if we (and IBM) make it
so...

Bruce Guetzkow
Information Services Director
United Credit Service, Inc.
Direct: 262-741-1640
Office: 262-723-2902
Fax: 262-723-5568
Email: bruceg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Web: www.unitedcreditservice.com