Women in Technical Fields

This article was posted both on Twitter and on Facebook by the lovely and talented Felicia Day, who, a friend of mine had the recent opportunity to meet at FanExpo, which I wasn't even aware was happening... Next year... Next year.

Aside from all that jealousy about what my friend was able to see/do at FanExpo without me, Felicia, interestingly enough, is making quite the point. If you read the article (and admittedly, I was agreeing with the article so much I never quite made it to the end), it's describing a situation where we're almost forcing women into technical fields. I've always felt forcing an issue is wrong, especially of this nature.

This actually reminds me of an episode of the show "rescue me" that I recently re-watched where the lead character "Tommy" (Denis Leary) goes on a rant regarding racial equality in the FDNY; he makes the very important point that maybe it isn't the FDNY that's not hiring the blacks, jews or whatever into the department, but rather that it's the blacks, jews or what-have-you that simply don't want the damn job.

I would apply that logic here, while I agree with this article. While there's an opportunity here to promote women in the workplace, and certainly there are many women who have the physical capability of working in IT/Tech, as well as the brain power to do it as well (if given proper motivation, interest, etc.), however, just simply do not take enough interest in HOW the Internet works, to actually get into the inner-workings of the field. If these people, regardless of their gender, do not have the interest in the job, then are they really the right people for the job? Why should we, or anyone for that matter, be putting them into a position where they are, perhaps, doing something they may not enjoy?

To be totally blunt, I've always had the mindset that, I don't care if you're black, white, Jewish, Spanish, Mexican, Egyptian, Chinese, Cuban or Hungarian; if you can do the job, and do it well, then you should be doing the job. It's all about the right person for the right job, and getting the job done; It's never been WHO does the job, not to me. And that goes for every profession. Everything from Firefighters, to IT and beyond. If you want the job, and you can do it, then go for it.

I don't see why anyone would want anything different from that.

Trying to Untangle the Tubes

Hello Internet!

or as some of us like to call it, the tubes.

This is, of course, my very first posting here and I would like to start with a statement of intent. This, is my very own tech-blog. This will be where I talk about technical matters of grave importance to me, and give my opinions on a vast array of topics, from network security, system security, server setup, network topology, microtechnology, robotics, cell phones, operating systems, applications, and hardware... there's probably more, but you get the idea.

Currently, I'm working on embedding all of my current endeavours into a single unified webspace, and, if you're reading this significantly after I've posted it, it may already exist; you may have even been referred here from it. In either case, I welcome you to my thoughts.

Personally, I am interested in a wide array of technologies, including microsystems and robotic, though my experience in that field is limited. I have also taken some time to get to know various types of cellphones, and their associated embedded applications, and have recently begun branching out into smartphone technologies. I've been slowly reading up on the CCNA tests, and I've been making my way though self-study books. I've also been working through A+ certification books, mostly for fun, since I don't seem to be learning anything from them. With over 10 years in computers, this field is very natural to me, and never ceases to engage my mind with interest, intrigue, and curiosity.

Currently, I run several systems, including a few laptops for personal use, I sacrificed my desktop to use as a server, and maintain several servers, some for use by 3rd party organizations, some belonging to party organizations. I also have a number of electronics, routers, switches, as well as the usual banter for someone in the field (storage, flash drives, external drives, monitors, keyboards... even a PDA (Dell Axim x51v)).

All this aside, I hope you understand and learn something new.