> But the basics of these professions: the chemistry of life, anatomy, > legal precedent, torts, etc. are independent of commercialism. Intel and > AMD may be making a lot of bits, but they did not invent them. A > thorough understanding of algorithmic principles, database, some math, > regression, ETHICS, etc. is what should qualify someone to be a computer > professional.
Computer science # programming Programming # math (not since the 1970s, anyway) Hardware # algorithmic principles There are too many subspecialties here for them all to be covered under the same rubric. But just within the field of programming alone, using modern languages like VFP or Python, it's quite possible to do a very good job without knowing any of the theoretical esoterica of "Computer Science", or any math higher than basic algebra. And in many situations proper choice and configuration of hardware is just as important as good software. The minute you try to create a standardized licensing exam in the area of programming, you step onto the cratered battleground of "Which language is best?" and "Static vs Dynamic Typing". Since this is a religious war, the hapless standardizer is doomed to be crucified. Not to mention the inevitable result of credentialing and licensure in many situations--it increases labor costs without necessarily increasing the quality of the work done. To tackle the ethics issue--the most important one, IMO--the answer is to make it a criminal offense, punishable by fines and jail time, for a "computer professional" to falsely represent the characteristics of a product or service, or to tell customers they need to replace hardware or software that isn't broken--just as such practices are now illegal in the automobile sales and repair industries. Ken Dibble www.stic-cil.org _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: ProFox@leafe.com Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
