[vicsireland] Re: Thoughts On a Tech Vics List
- From: philip_dunne@xxxxxxxxx
- To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 12:52:33 +0000
Fine dissertation, Master Murray, and honest too. I couldn't have put it
better myself.
Regards
Philip Dunne
Information Resource Unit
Aonad Acmhainní Faisnéise
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Kildare Street, Dublin 2,
Ireland
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Cliath 2, Éire
T: + 353 1 631 2100; LoCall: 1890 220 222
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Tel: 01-6312445
Tony.G.Murray@xxxxxx
Sent by: To:
vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
vicsireland-bounce@fr cc:
eelists.org Subject: [vicsireland] Re:
Thoughts On a Tech Vics List
04/12/2008 11:32
Please respond to
vicsireland
Hi Tony and all,
In my opinion, I believe introducing a second list is not such a good
idea. I absolutely appreciate the merits of your argument for a second
list, and believe me... it was discussed many times while I was
Chairperson.
Were VICS to adopt a second list, I do believe it would be something to be
decided at the AGM. So you're right to bring it up now; plenty of time to
knock the idea about!
OK, so why do I think it's better to have everyone on the one list?
1) People on the VICS list, no matter what their skill level learn from
others. I absolutely believe that, because I am a typical case. I've
worked in the I.T industry for over seven years now, and I guess I'm
pretty good at the little corner of the field I happen to exist in, I must
be doing ok, I can do my job. There are areas, many of which would be
considered 'basic computing' I am not skilled in. So, where do I fall? Am
I advanced, or am I a beginner?
2) What if someone who felt they were a 'less advanced' user decided they
probably couldn't contribute to the 'advanced' list... when in actual fact
they were brimming with good stuff? What is advanced, and what isn't?
3) Would those who consider themselves to be advanced computer users
bother with the list for less advanced users? I'd like to think they
would, but who knows? If even one person decided not to go on the less
advanced list, that's a good learning resource unavailable to VICS'
perceived 'less skilled' members.
4) Do we have the traffic to constitute a second list? VICS is often very
quiet, and sometimes it bursts in to life. Personally, I like it that
way. Were it to be split, would anything happen at all? As it stands, it
could never be considered a busy list, even at it's peak times.
5) which topics belong on what list, and why? For example, is HTML
programming 'advanced'? Is Excel considered 'advanced'? Is using a Braille
Note 'less advanced'? When Jaws stops speaking while using Microsoft
Access... Is Jaws 'less advanced' and Access 'advanced'? I don't want to
have the same mails coming from different lists, because people sending
them are unsure as to what belongs where.
6) We all have delete keys (and thank goodness for that!). If something
doesn't interest me on the list, I simply delete it. It takes less time
to do that than to consider the proficiency level of the user who is
sending it by checking what list it is on.
7) Do VICS really want to create an 'us and them' feeling throughout the
society? Maybe that's a little over the top, but maybe not. Granted, I
heard it from some sources while I was heavily involved with VICS, that
there were those who were afraid to post anything to the list, as it was
perceived as being 'too advanced'. This of course should not be the case,
and everyone should be encouraged to post no matter what the query is. I
absolutely believe that every member of VICS has something good to
contribute; something that many of us could learn from no matter how we
view our personal skill level.
8) Personally (and this is very 'me' here), I don't believe I'd like to be
a member of a list of people who consider themselves to be exclusively
'advanced' techies. There are far too many self proclaimed experts in the
world, and especially in technology. I believe that those who have the
goods are happy to do their thing to make a living or carry on a hobby,
without having to exclude others they perceive to be 'less' than
themselves by separating lists, using language and acronyms which are
difficult to decipher, etc etc.
Naturally, people who have advanced skills in some areas of technology
worth their bacon know that being able to clearly communicate with other
techies and nontechies alike, on a level plain, and without any confusion
is the key to success.
Sadly, pathetically, frustratingly, this is not always the case. People
should not be intimidated by some guy who thinks he's an 'expert' or
'advanced computer user' rolling out crap on a list or in an article that
pretty much nobody is interested in. Why? Well, because that's basically
what it boils down to... Crap, nonsense, call it what you will.
'Experts' who feel they have to engage in this sort of thing are at a
basic level lacking in communication skills, and theoretically (my own
theory that is), desperately searching for recognition or respect from
others. It's easy to see why this doesn't work, is it not? A truly
skilled person in their field does not need to be told they're good, or
feel they have to stretch their technical legs in public to try and gain
some sort of status. Am I defining an inferiority complex? God, I think I
am, and I've just noticed I'm ranting too!
Anyway, there's my €0.20 worth, which I suppose is pretty similar to
£0.02 at the moment... A single functioning list is the way to go.
Best wishes,
Tony
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