There is an interesting post by Leslie Gordon about social computing in engineering ... for one, you dont read too much about the web 2.0 phenomenon in the engineering or industrial sectors, and for another, the discussion here is quite interesting.
One thing that folks working in the information technology space can read and feel a little better about is that just like int he technology sector, in the engineering sector, too, social computing is seen as a waste of time. In other words, anyone who is blogging, or networking with others is not working. Now now ... where have we heard that before? Having said that, this is probably expected, given that technology professionals are supposed to be on top of information technology (which includes web 2.0 tools), engineering professionals are not supposed to be. Which would make this kind of reluctance expected in the engineering space, but not really in the technology space. Having said that, this is more about the value perceived from social computing rather than aout attitudes, though attitudes towards technology also play a role here.
What is also interesting is how CAD software providers are integrating with social computing platforms. The example here is of SharePoint, and how CAD software can be integrated with SharePoint. This is interesting ... given that SharePoint could serve as the repository of documents generated using the CAD software, and at the same time, blend social computing functionality into CAD tools themselves.
Another aspect which might be worth looking at, is the possibilities of virtual worlds when it comes to engineering. There can be plenty of work where virtual worlds could contribute to the development of engineering and design platforms in a way such that visualization, re-visualization, and the entire process of developing prototypes can be simplified and made much more intuitive and fun. Did i hear anyone mention flight simulators?
Many a times while surfing through the net you must have come across articles/blogs by IT students or alumni. It surely gives a certain feel of nostalgia when you read the blogs / articles by other folks of IT. Essentially the story will be the same but it's a great feeling by reading them again and again. While thinking on these lines it suddenly hit me, that while we flaunt it everywhere - LinkedIn, Orkut, etc etc why is blog world devoid of the unity of IT Junta?
ReplyDeleteSo to start this tradition we have started using these badges on our blogs which not only looks cool but gives out IT identity mark also.
Of Memories and Blogworld: Wear the Pride