>> I have nothing against newbies who want to learn. In >> fact, I love to teach. However, I am not willing to help a >> *company* that refuses to hire the expertise they need, >> again regardless of location. I see those companies as the >> root of the problem. >>
This whole thread borders on the ridiculous. Any question that is answered can be construed as "helping" regardless of whether one likes the organization involved or not. Similarly, it is preposterous to suggest that an answered question from this forum suddenly conveys "expertise". There is nothing that can be provided here that isn't already provided in numerous sources, so the notion that this is a unique source of information is ludicrous. While answering a question may shorten the path an individual needs to pursue in obtaining answer, it is certainly no replacement for the years of experience necessary to obtain any degree of "expertise". There will always be a conflict when someone loses their job to someone else, and I, for one, refuse to take sides in the matter. A company that doesn't want to pay for expertise will either learn the hard way, or discover that it doesn't need the expertise. I have seen far too many marginal individuals "protected" simply by a long employment history. After all, I still remember a day when all contractors and outsourcers were considered "evil" since they threatened someone's job. Now, the focus is easier for some to rationalize since it often involves off-shoring as well. While there are certainly many problems associated with the use of "cheap labor" and H1B visa's, etc. the issue of answering questions certainly isn't one of them. The simple truth is that, given today's larger systems, consolidation is a realistic option and generally involves fewer people to maintain and support. If the objective is to retain a stable 9-5 workday job, then get over it, because it won't last. Most companies don't require on-site expertise on a continuous basis, so anyone with real experience, will need to leverage it by being prepared to share this knowledge with multiple organizations. In short ... don't count on retiring from the company you're working for as a systems programmer unless you're working for a vendor. >> So, I don't believe that "mainframes are beginning to >> spread faster than people can properly learn them". I >> believe that they are spreading faster than people are >> being *allowed* to learn them, and that it is an economic >> problem rather than a physical one. As for "being allowed" to learn ... There has NEVER been more information available, nor more readily available than today. There is absolutely no excuse for anyone that wants to learn to suggest that they are being denied access to information. Implicit in this statement is the assumption that education is the company's responsiblity. If we are "professionals" then education is OUR responsibility. While it is a tremendous benefit when a company elects to pay for such education, it is by no means our right to have it at someone else's expense. A company is not responsible for enhancing our careers. If it is cheaper to educate staff rather than bring in outside expertise, then it is likely that course of action may be taken. While a classroom might be easier, and a mentor can certainly be beneficial, the suggestion of "not being allowed" is simply over the top. Adam ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
