IT–What is it?
John Gyorki
February 19th, 2008.
It took me about two years, but I was finally able to mentally relate the acronym IT with Information Technology instead of just uppercase it. IT appears in all sorts of publications and seldom does the editor tell you that it represents Information Technology; you are supposed to know that. Which brings me to what I really want to say. What exactly is IT or Information Technology? I looked it up on Wikipedia and the definition begged for authenticity. Their definition is quit thin. Yet, I see that some colleges offer it as a degree. So, I read the syllabus for one small college on a degree in IT and discovered that it taught you how to do things that you ordinarily find in no less than about 25 other occupations! For example, when you earn the degree, you will be able to program computers, network, become a help-desk operator, configure (computer) hardware systems, do something with application software, telecommunicate, purchase something, make decisions, and develop interpersonal skills. But I ask you, how many of you have these skills and do these tasks in your normal workday without being called an IT person? Engineers, scientists, designers, salespeople, clerks, artists, nurses, garage mechanics, grade school students, teachers, and homemakers do many of these things. Are they IT personnel, too?
The list goes on. You will see IT people program databases and spreadsheets, process words, communicate data, and learn verbal and written communication skills (doesn’t everyone?). You can also expect them to install, operate, upgrade, and troubleshoot computers; assist purchasing departments, and program computer systems in both networked and non-networked environments. The only thing missing here is taking out the garbage and getting coffee for the boss (which was probably only a minor oversight).
But what is worse than the scope of work is the fact that “they” call it a technology. How can IT possibly be a technology? Electronics is a technology. MEMS is a technology. Fiber optics is a technology. But Information Technology? That’s a stretch. Now, sales and marketing people carelessly toss around the term technology to satisfy their own egos and to make their product or service sound more important or more complex than it really is. For example, I read about a “new vacuum sweeper technology.” I took one apart and found the same stuff that my mother’s 1945 vacuum sweeper contained. The only difference was that the new one was made of plastic, not cast aluminum like the 1945 model. Incidentally, they both sucked.
Bottom line; are you called an IT person? If so, please let us know what you do. I think it will be extremely interesting to find out the truth in this dumbed-down world we live in. By the way, if you have a degree in Project Management, ditto.
jgyorki@designworldonline.com
Listening to the user and lots of them
Scott McCafferty
January 26th, 2008.
Notes from Solid Works World 2008
While most of Boston was either at Foxboro or listening to the New England Patriots vs. San Diego Chargers football game, part of Boston, at least those in Concord, Mass from Solid Works were beginning their largest user conference in San Diego, CA with over 4,400 pre-registered attendees and hosting the largest press audience in the event’s history. To kick off the media event, Jeff Ray, CEO, Marie Planchard, Education efforts at Solid Works, and Jon Hirschtick, History of CAD captivated the media packed room.
Jeff Ray’s opening comments we were welcomed to a paparazzi type atmosphere with cameras flashing from all angles of the room and early remarks were fostered around the emphasis of being respectful to their user’s needs and design intents. Offering a slight sneak peak to SW 2009, Jeff commented that it will be focused on performance. In speaking openly and without a power point (thank you), Jeff’s introduction was business as usual for Solid Works.
Speaking on education, Marie Blanchard provided an enthusiastic overview of Solid Work’s Global efforts to supporting CAD in the classroom. Interestingly, when asked about concern for future engineers, Marie candidly commented that it is our job (media) to help portray engineering as a rock star profession (check out the January issue of Design World). Marie introduced Scott Fraser from Long Beach Technical College and his student Ian on the impact SW has made on his education program and job placement record (96% of Scott’s student’s get jobs). Scott emphasized that industry has an increased need for a multi-disciplined engineering – not simply a CAD guy, or motor guru, but an engineer that can work with all technologies. In driving participation in schools at all levels, there was a focus on contests centered on youth participation; see the January issue and How to Cultivate Future Engineers.
In 30 minutes or less, Jon Hirschtick provided a quick overview of 50 year History of CAD starting with the 1963 and Ivan Sutherland’s sketchpad. Emphasizing that these are his opinions, he offered insight into his top priorities and his favorite trends to watch. Top priorities for Jon revolve around reliability, speed, ease of use, data exchange, drafting and geometric modeling. As for trends that intrigue Jon personally, he spoke on hosting computing, open source, video games, touch interfaces and impact of 3D printing.
As the Patriots experienced victory over the Chargers, Solid Works World 2008 is well on its way to a victorious, jam packed, educational based, user event in 2008 – in San Diego.
Great Engineers and proud of it
John Gyorki
January 10th, 2008.
You know Leonardo Da Vinci, Edison, Galileo, Marconi, and Bell, but do you know Dave Luchaco, Pete Harper, Glen Drellishack, Raj Gunda, and Bill Peterson, some of the most famous engineering leaders of all? No? Well, they just happen to be five of the dozen or so young Bendix engineers — when in their mid-twenties and early thirties in 1971 — started with a blank sheet of paper and a pencil and designed the first production onboard computers for the electronic fuel injection systems used in every American car on the road today. I know this to be true because I was the Group Project Leader. (more…)
Leadership in engineering
John Gyorki
December 12th, 2007.
In this issue, we announce the Leadership Awards we have been promoting throughout this year. The Design World community elected several companies to represent those with the highest operating standards and reputation for ethical conduct, quality products, superb services, fair practices, and exceptional employees. The readers cast their votes and told us who the winners are. Read about it in the foldout section. We are proud to celebrate these companies; their leaders and employees. They represent but only a few of many similar, well-managed firms that we enjoy doing business with every day. (more…)
What’s Happening in Vegas?
Larry Boulden
November 26th, 2007.
We at DESIGN WORLD recently received two press releases from CAD startup SpaceClaim. The first announced that they would be exhibiting this week at Autodesk University, Nov. 27-30 in Las Vegas. And the second press release announced the ”recall” of the first.
Hmmm… never seen that before.
Turns out that SpaceClaim was apparently disinvited to AU. Disfellowshipped. Booted.
Neither SpaceClaim nor Autodesk is talking much about the situation. But the independent CAD bloggers are having a field day with it. One notes that Autodesk has “asked” other competitors not to participate in the past. Not frequently, but it has happened, that blogger says.
Another one suggests that SpaceClaim might want to go to Vegas anyway. Get a suite, throw open the doors, and network in the hotel halls, where much of the real business gets done anyway.
So what will happen? We have no clue. The two companies, Autodesk and SpaceClaim, are both being very gentlemanly, very discreet about all this. So, Gentle Readers, I’m asking you. Are you going to Vegas for Autodesk University this week? If so, will you post a response to this entry and tell us all what you saw and heard about the SpaceClaim/Autodesk dustup? Inquiring Minds Want to Know…
–Larry B
Authors:
- John Gyorki (20)
- Larry Boulden (6)
- Leslie Langnau (5)
- Mike Emich (1)
- Scott McCafferty (2)
