Send IT workers to jail

[The Lone Gunman]

It still amazes me that "some" software doesnt require some sort of preofessional or engineering status to produce.
If a building or bridge collapsed and it was found no qualified architect or builder had been used someone would be in court.
Would you allow a non qualified doctor treat you? How about having an amateur lawyer or accountant?
Yet there is no requirement for safety critical software to be written by a suitably qualified, experienced and certified software engineer.
Aircraft systems, rail signalling systems and hospital equipment have all been produced using least cost rather than best qualified.

[Spacecadet]

has no one seen the Shawshank redemption

Guard 1: I can't get access to my emails any more
Guard 2: Hmmm, are you using outlook?
Guard 1: Yeah, been working fine for years

IT Geek: Do you trust your wife?

[sasguru]

Don't you mean white-collar?

(Or daft wig in the case of the worst Lawyers)

Yes, sorry. Have changed it.

[DimPrawn]

It still amazes me that "some" software doesnt require some sort of preofessional or engineering status to produce.
If a building or bridge collapsed and it was found no qualified architect or builder had been used someone would be in court.
Would you allow a non qualified doctor treat you? How about having an amateur lawyer or accountant?
Yet there is no requirement for safety critical software to be written by a suitably qualified, experienced and certified software engineer.
Aircraft systems, rail signalling systems and hospital equipment have all been produced using least cost rather than best qualified.

Oi! Some of us are an MCP in VB4!

[TimberWolf]

Employers and agents aren't bothered if IT people have (conventional) qualifications these days, let alone some kind of meaningless professional certification.

[DodgyAgent]

The best (probably older) programmers think of themselves as craftsmen (like a carpenter) rather than a standard white-collar professional.

I can start calling you "chippy" friom now on then?

"craftsmen" my

[BrilloPad]

I can start calling you "chippy" friom now on then?

I think that is reserved for HRH.

[TheBigYinJames]

Employers and agents aren't bothered if IT people have (conventional) qualifications these days, let alone some kind of meaningless professional certification.

Been doing .NET programming for about 4 years now (after many years doing other things), and I hardly ever get asked about MCSE any more. Rule of thumb is that most agents are lazy, and anything which gets them out of checking your references, finding out what the words on your CV mean, etc, they will take it. Accreditation is one of those things.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

It still amazes me that "some" software doesnt require some sort of preofessional or engineering status to produce.
If a building or bridge collapsed and it was found no qualified architect or builder had been used someone would be in court.
Would you allow a non qualified doctor treat you? How about having an amateur lawyer or accountant?
Yet there is no requirement for safety critical software to be written by a suitably qualified, experienced and certified software engineer.
Aircraft systems, rail signalling systems and hospital equipment have all been produced using least cost rather than best qualified.

Bridges do collapse (or wobble!) occasionally though. As for the law, I'd rather be represented by someone who had a keen interest than someone who saw it as an easy way to a gainful career. Same with a doctor.
Considering the process by which this software is delivered, it is interesting that it seems very reliable

[sasguru]

"craftsmen" my

No I would guess the low-level cowboys you place wouldn't be able to spell the word let alone understand what it meant.
Programming is exactly that - a craft.