and trained everyone in the company�everyone
except me that is. They told me I didn�t need to know how to use it, so I
taught myself during lunch. They weren�t impressed by my initiative or interested
in what I learned, so I found a new job where they were interested, and I just
continued that trend.
My interest in computers was initiated by
survival, but I genuinely enjoyed the opportunity to exercise my brain.
Personal computing was a new field and computer science (as a study) didn�t
really exist yet. I filled the niche and finally worked myself into freelance
consulting in Lotus 1-2-3. The opportunities were endless because everything
was new and totally open to anyone willing to put in the time. No one cared
what my college major was or how many years experience I had. All they cared
about was could I help them�and so that�s what I did. I helped people use their
software more efficiently. In those days, it was called �applications
development,� and I guess it still is but it is just so much larger than it was
then. Then, projects took hours or days to complete, not months. The goals were
much smaller. ��
Q: Can you detail your work with Database
Advisors?
A: Database Advisors is a Web-based support group that�s
owned and operated by volunteers. The group consists of about 350
members�developers, consultants, and users. Originally, the emphasis was on MS
Access, but the group now supports a number of areas. There are now a number of
technical listservs, each dedicated to specific technical areas. I volunteer as
the Publications Director, and we try to publish a bimonthly newsletter when
the content�s sufficient.
Q: Describe your most surprising
experience?
A: This interview�no kidding. I�m not
making decisions that shape tomorrow; I�m helping people do their work. So,
frankly�the idea that anyone would be interested in my thoughts regarding the
industry surprises me. I�m excited, but I�m still surprised.
Q: Do have any humorous stories to share?
A: Are you implying that developers and IT
personnel have a sense of humor??? �Well,
I do have one fateful story. In 1992, I became an Editor-in-chief of a new
spreadsheet journal (Quattro Pro) for The Cobb Group, which use to be based
here in Kentucky. I was a spreadsheet developer at the time. A year or so
later, the guy in the office next to me launched a journal on a new MS
product�MS Access. I didn�t have a clue what it was and didn�t care. Another year
or so later, my boss comes in, sits down and lists several journals that are up
for grabs and wants to know if I�ll take the MS Access journal. �No� was my
response. Three times we had that conversation. The third time I finally said,
�You�re not really asking are you?� It was finally his turn to say �No.� He spent a little bit of time giving me the normal boss strokes,
�You�re the only one that can really take this on right now�� nonsense, but that
decision did change my life in a way I couldn�t �possibly anticipate at the time.
The desktop database was a brand new field
to me and I wrote some pretty bad stuff back then. Considering some of the
discussions prompted by my articles at TechRepublic.com and Builder.com, some
might argue that I still write some
bad stuff, but I like to think it�s just a difference of opinions.
Q: Detail your current work?
A: Right now, I�m working with Mike
Gunderloy on an Access/VBA book for Que, Automating Microsoft Access with
VBA. In between chapters, I still supply articles for ElementK Journals,
Access Advisor, TechRepublic.com and others. Interested publishers might want
to know that my schedule opens up in June.
Q: Can you describe the ICDL program and share
your most important best practices?
A: I can best describe the ICDL program by
telling you what it is not. The ICDL
program is not an assessment tool for developers or advanced skill sets. The
ICDL exams assess one�s basic computer competency. An employer knows that the
accredited person is familiar with the computer, its basic components, the file
structure, and the more common software applications. My recommendation to
anyone considering accreditation is to find a computer and actually work
through the exercises in the book. There�s just no substitute for actual
hands-on experience.
Q: Can you share your ten most valuable guidelines
on the ICDL from your book, Exam Cram 2 ICDL?
A: 1) Hands on practice
2) Hands on practice
3) Hands on practice
4) Hands on practice
5) Hands on practice
6) Hands on practice
7) Hands on practice
8) Hands on practice
9) Hands on practice
10) Review, review, review
I�m not trying to be facetious�that�s just
the honest truth.
Q: What future books, columns, and articles
can we expect from you?
A: There�s a companion to the ICDL Exam
Cram book, ICDL Practice Questions Exam Cram 2, with Mike Gunderloy by
Que. In addition, Upgrader�s Guide to Microsoft Office System 2003, and Automating
Microsoft Access 2003 with VBA, both with Mike Gunderloy, by Que will be
out soon.
Q: What�s in the future for Microsoft and
the Open Source movement?
A: Resistance is futile.
Open source does seem to be a major trend
and MS will adjust to the market demands. The door�s open and even MS can�t
shut it. In the end, Microsoft will use open source to its own advantage and
those predicting that open source will be the beginning of Microsoft�s end,
will be disappointed.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: Running Microsoft�s PR department?
Seriously, in five years, I�ll be doing
less technical writing and publishing more stories and books in children�s
literature. I don�t see myself ever leaving the technical field, but I want to
spend less time in it.�
Q: What are the most important trends to
watch, and please provide some detailed recommendations?
A: I can�t give one specific trend. Microsoft and Sun are collaborating�that�s something I predicted
would happen months and months ago. The venture will accomplish little but
appease many.
The truth is, there are just too many
options, too many choices, too many paths. Your guess is as good as mine
anymore. Apologies all around if I sound negative because I don�t mean to, but
where we are today is so far from where we were 20 years ago that I can�t even
begin to get my head around where we might be in twenty more. Some innovative
technology will make its way to the forefront and we�ll all have to
adjust�that�s been the trend of the last 20 years and I predict that�ll be the
trend for the next 20.
The one thing we do have now that we didn�t
have then is choices. You know, when I go to the grocery I pull my favorites
from the shelves and I don�t even look at the competitors. You can�t do that in
the computer industry�doing that will make you obsolete. I never thought I�d
say it, but I�m about ready to become obsolete. The alternative is mind-boggling
to me. Frankly, I�m weary of all the choices and all the growth. I�m ready to
retire under a tree and watch birds and play with my grandkids.
Q: List the best resources for technology and business professionals.
A: 1)My favorite resource is database
advisors (http://www.databaseadvisors.com).
The truth is, if someone on one of those lists can�t answer your question,
there probably isn�t a solution.
2)http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0972262903/inktomi-bkasin-20/ref%3Dnosim/104-7219111-5950365
-- �The Hod Carrier: Leadership Lessons Learned on a Ladder,� Absolutely the
best book on business philosophy I�ve read.
3) http://www.ittoolbox.com
4) http://www.sqlteam.com/
5) http://www.mvps.org/access/
6) http://www.helenfeddema.com
7) http://www.wopr.com/
8) http://www.experts-exchange.com/Databases/MS_Access/
Q: Who/what do you think are the winners
and losers in IT in next five years and why?
A: The winners are anyone with a little
initiative and a little time. However, I don�t see much of a future for the individual
IT consultant. Individuals are going to have to form groups�and that�s not necessarily
a bad thing. It is impossible to stay abreast of all the technology and give
clients the best advice, day after day. Who can be an expert at everything? I no
longer consider myself an IT consultant in the big scheme of things and most of
the time I pass along leads to others. I don�t intend to work that hard
anymore.
Q: You pick five topic areas and then provide
us with those valuable rare �gems� that only you know.
A: 1) Area 1: MS Access
I don�t know everything there is to know
and I never will.
2) Area 2: MS Office
I don�t know everything there is to know
and I never will.
3) Area 3: VBA
I don�t know everything there is to know
and I never will.
4) Area 4: SQL
I don�t know everything there is to know
and I never will.
5) Area 5:ADO/DAO
I don�t know everything there is to know
and I never will.
Again, I apologize if I sound facetious,
but there is absolutely nothing I could share that someone else out there
doesn�t already know. There are no unpublished gems�unless you�re discussing a
brand new topic. Like all literature, the stories have all been told, we just
keep changing the names and places. My talent is in showing the ordinary user
how to use the software better and more efficiently. I help, I don�t discover.
Q: What kind of computer setup do you have?
A: I have a networked system of three
development systems and two spares. All of the systems run on Win 98 or later.
None of them are used as a server � I leave that to others. It�s totally
unimpressive.
Q: If you were doing this interview, what
five questions would you ask of someone in your position and what would be your
answers?
A: Q1: Do you have enough work?
A1: Absolutely. If there were more hours in
the day, I could easily fill them up.
Q2: Do you plan to change your focus
anytime in the near future?
A2: Yes.
Q3: If so, why?
A3: The industry is growing faster than I
can assimilate it. I�m tired and I want to take a real vacation.
Q4: What do you see as your major challenge
in the coming year(s)
?