> -----Original Message-----
> From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List 
> [mailto:ibm-m...@bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Mark Jacobs
> Sent: Thursday, December 24, 2009 9:44 AM
> To: IBM-MAIN@bama.ua.edu
> Subject: Re: CA MSM
> 
<snip>
> 
> I don't have any philosophical objections making day to day 
> work easier, 
> in fact that's one of my main goals in my professional career. The 
> problem with all these gee-whiz tools is that they 
> remove/eliminate the 
> need for understanding the way things work under the covers. 
> As system 
> programmers we have to know the nuts and bolts of the environments we 
> support else when things break (and they always will) they can't be 
> fixed by using your own personal experience and knowledge.
> 
> Look at the personal computer environment as an example. If 
> an automated 
> install process fails at the best it will automatically back 
> itself out, 
> at the worst your system is dead. Do we want our environments to even 
> more dependent on vendors fixing all our problems?
> 
> These tools are another attempt to dumb down the system 
> programmer work 
> force and allow management to say to themselves why do I need an 
> expensive system programmer when I can get a button pusher 
> who can click 
> an icon on a screen for far less money.
> 
> <snip>
> 
> -- 
> Mark Jacobs

The entire point of IT and automation is to remove the need for non-vendor 
companies to have any technical expertise. I.e. to "dumb down" the workforce. 
This is a plus to companies, in general, as it allows them to hire cheaper 
labor who become productive in a shorter period of time. Again, this is a plus 
because it means that people are easily replaceable and interchangeable. How 
many jobs have computers eliminated? How many accountants does a company need 
now as opposed to 30 years ago? How many file clerks? Eventually, there will be 
no need for any non-management people. That is "company nirvana".

Not that I like it.

--
John McKown 
Systems Engineer IV
IT

Administrative Services Group

HealthMarkets(r)

9151 Boulevard 26 * N. Richland Hills * TX 76010
(817) 255-3225 phone * (817)-961-6183 cell
john.mck...@healthmarkets.com * www.HealthMarkets.com

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