🚀 go-pugleaf

On Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 12:52:59 PM UTC-4, Lynn Wheeler wrote:

> Late 70s and early 80s I was blamed for online computer conferencing
> (precursor to social media) on the internal network (larger than
> arpanet/internet from just about the beginning until sometime
> mid-80s). Folklore is when the comporate executive committee was told
> about online computer conferencing (and the internal network), 5of6
> wanted to fire me.

That seems strange.  Why would a computer company object to finding
a new application for computers, and one that improves communication
and efficiency?

Of course, over the years, being on "the wrong side" cost a number
of good IBM managers their position.  Being IBM, the person did 
keep his paycheck and employment, but they would be regulated to
a dumpy department and be obviously humiliated.  Both Pugh books
and even Watson's memoir describe some of that.  During S/360
development, Tom Watson had to demote his own brother, who wasn't
cutting it.  That caused a permanent rift and may have contributed
to the brother's early passing.  Ironically, the brother apparently
had been doing a great job at World Trade.

>I created process to get monthly complete copy of all vmshare for 
>placing on internal systems (includine HONE systems) and making 
>available on the internal network. Biggest problem I had was with the 
>lawyers that were afraid customer information could contaminate IBM 
>employees. Archives here: 
>http://vm.marist.edu/~vmshare/

Sadly, I think an issue most working people face over their
careers is bureaucracy and lawyers interfering with progress.
It is a big contributor to burnout.

In my own career, I had one assignment to computerize a 'backwater'
office.  The good thing was that no one cared about this department
and the project was under the radar--we could it as we pleased
without bureaucrats interfering.