Article 6

De Palma, P. (2005) The software wars; Why you can’t understand your computer.  American Scholar, Winter 2005

Summary:

Paul De Palma in his article titled “The Software Wars; Why You Can’t Understand Your Computer,” discusses the difficulties associated with the field of software design.  He describes his background as a software designer in the late eighties, a time when PCs where just becoming popular and the field of software design was big business.  De Palma argues that software design started out with many problems and continues to experience these same issues.  De Palma (2005) writes, “People often claim that one of every three large-scale software systems gets canceled midproject.  Of those that do make it out the door, three-quarters are never implemented: some do not work as intended; others are just shelved” (pg. 134).  He argues that this happens because of overambitious program managers who are overly concerned with new operating systems and programs that may or may not have been tested properly.  He goes on to explain why we need to upgrade our version of programs and operating systems each year.  According to De Palma it isn’t necessary.  If something is working there isn’t much of a reason to upgrade right away.  He does argue that upgrades must be done eventually so that operating systems can continue to work with upgraded programs.  De Palma also discusses the issues that come with schools and businesses choosing to buy programs and then ask questions later.  Many times schools and business have the new software but don’t know how to use it.  De Palma (2005) writes, “Computer labs and so-called smart classrooms are obsolete before anyone figures out how to use them, and offices with equipment so complicated that every secretary doubles as a systems administrator” (pg. 138).

Response:

I found this article very telling of questions I always ask myself about upgrades and new programs.  Is it really necessary to buy every new version of Microsoft office?  Why do this when what you have works fine?  I also agree that buying new fancy programs for schools that will supposedly do wonders for the classroom is entirely unnecessary if we don’t know how to use these programs appropriately.  This made me think of our CCE program and how we offer online classes.  It seems to me like we have all the new equipment that everyone else in the field is using, but we are still having problems implementing it effectively.  We really need to focus on using what we have and doing it well before we think about getting something new.