So apparently Britain doesn't need IT specialists...

[Stretch]

I think it's quite scary how code is so easy to pull together now. I have little or no experience in php but I've created websites using bits and bobs downloaded from the net. I don't see this as a bad thing just it's difficult to realise who is a true programmer and who isn't

It's one thing putting code together in your bedroom that's never going to be used properly in the real world, and another building rich, robust, scalable systems that are going to be used by 1000s of people every day. You can tell the difference between the bedroom programmer and the seasoned developer in about 5 minutes if you know how to ask the right questions.

 

[willhub]

In my opinion, the "super weak" are those who know not a lot more than how to build a machine, apply MSI patches/installs, and may know a little about the registry. They won't have a clue about any OS other than Windows.

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of these people earning 35k+ in the financial sector in London.

That's about all I know , maybe slightly more, guess I'll never get a job :\

 

[Adrianr]

Of course it needs IT Specialists.. You make the rest of us look good

 

[Berserker]

AJUK, you mixed up person. Just make sure you do those the right way around. apt-get doesn't work on a Mac.

I wholeheartedly agree with the way this thread is going. Too many tech wannabies, and too many 'IT managers' getting parachuted in without a clue of how real IT works.

Too many people grab an HTML (or PHP, or whatever) guide off the 'net, write a bit of code (or 'borrow' someone else's) and think that gives them the right to claim that 'they know IT', or worse, think they can set up a web design business. I'm all for people taking the initiative and trying to learn and do something for themselves, so long as they don't start claiming to be something they're not.

IMHO, IT managers must have at least a good grounding in IT at the top level. Otherwise, how can they possibly make sensible decisions with understanding of the implications of those decisions?

As for the BCS, I've thought about it, but to me the only real benefit of membership was the letters after the name, and when they opened up the application process that got rather watered down. Given that I've been in the industry nearly 20 years eek I doubt I'd have trouble getting those letters after my name, but I've never seen the need to do so.

PS - for Huddy's benefit - looks like I might be working with some RPG code in the not too distant future. Woe is me.