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Bob Utech
<bel454@wiktel.com>
Powder Visions, Baudette, MN
One of the tremendous difficulties of the Internet (message board)
is learning how to evaluate sources. How does one assess the value of
readings on the message board when one is new to the field or has
little knowledge in the field? How do we establish a clear separation
between ideas and production of a product or service for sale? The
Internet message board has given a voice to many who have been denied
an opportunity to articulate their views. In my opinion, this aspect
of the Internet is its most important advantage: I can get
information that has generally been unavailable to me before. But the
Internet is also a haven for the ignorant, the vulgar, and the
mean-spirited. As one who adds technical information, we need to
enrich the offerings of the Internet as well as teach our colleagues
and/or customers how to find the valuable and useful sources of
information.
The difficulty arises because the Internet message board means so
many things to so many people. To some readers, these messages
reflect the writer's judgment as to what the most important readings
on a subject are and the assumption may be that these readings are
the best available. In today's networked world, teamwork is more than
just a laudable goal--it's a required skill. If you're going to
create a truly collaborative environment, you have to model, repeat
and reinforce the sharing of ideas.
Many times, we learn better from our peers and with so many new
and changing technologies, even you can't be the only expert in every
detail. Let others become teachers as well.
When ideas are freely circulated, they become more powerful (and
valuable) in direct proportion to the number of people who are
exposed to them. In this way, ideas will be judged on their own
merits, and not how well a product was marketed or produced.
The best-fit ideas compete among themselves for survival, and
cross-pollinate among themselves to create better ideas. This theory
only works if ideas and information are shared, and works better the
more they are shared.
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