How to surf the technology waves we created

Technology waves are hitting the computing profession in succession. Computers, communications, and media are coming together both technologically and as an economic sector. Everything being based on digital technology and the synergy of methods, attitudes, and technological approaches has yielded a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Communications of the ACM 1997-02, Vol.40 (2), p.49-54
Main Author: Tsichritzis, Dennis
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Career development
Careers
Computer industry
Computer scientists
Computers
Economic forecasts
Future
Generations
Human resource management
Information society
Information technology
Mainframes
Methods
Middle management
Network computers
Predictions
Professional development
Professionals
Retirement
Social change
Technological change
Vocational guidance
World Wide Web
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Summary:Technology waves are hitting the computing profession in succession. Computers, communications, and media are coming together both technologically and as an economic sector. Everything being based on digital technology and the synergy of methods, attitudes, and technological approaches has yielded a great environment for professional fulfillment. Computing professionals are split into 5 groups called generations: 1. the Fortran-Cobol-Card generation, 2. the OS-360-PL1-Mainframe generation, 3. the Unix-C-Minicomputer generation, 4. the MS-DOS-Windows-PC generation, and 5. the Mail-Web-Internet generation. Each generation is profiled. The new generation of the future is also profiled. Some applications or tools for the new generation are: 1. imagination description language, 2. virtual character creation, 3. community forum moderation, and 4. Kansei services. However, it should not be forgotten that decisions about hiring, promoting, and firing are made by people. Some observations on personnel issues are presented.
ISSN:0001-0782
1557-7317
DOI:10.1145/253671.253700