Rob's RITS! -

Rampant
Information Technology
Syndrome

"A set of signs or symptoms indicating an undesirable condition, problem or quality resulting from information technology developing in an unchecked and unrestrained manner, and on a widespread basis."

Introduction

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Over recent years there has developed a bewildering variety of new high-tech products. Their extensive ultra-modern capabilities and relatively small size are really quite amazing. Things like compact disks, pocket computer games, fancy video recorders with special effects and fully automatic cameras. And computer systems are no exception.

Just for starters, things like: Pentium MMX processors, EISA and PCI bus architectures, cache, zero wait-state, interleaving factor, VGA, SVGA, PostScript, 200MHz, RS-232C, LAN, routers, WAN, Internet, WWW and multitasking. What about the endless list of software product names that appears in computer magazine advertisements? What on earth do they all do, and how do we pick one for our own use?

All these things hint at some of the tell-tale signs of The "RITS!" - the Rampant Information Technology Syndrome ! It sounds a bit funny, and it would be if it wasn't so serious!

This web page is a brief extract from the text of "Merlin's Techno-Guide", where the "RITS!" is more fully explained. (It is updated frequently, and printed in very small batch runs. The copy that you buy is very up-to-date.)

There are fifteen "RITS!" symptoms described below under four major headings. These headings, and the fifteen symptoms are summarised as:

Table of Contents

Introduction

What is The "RITS!"?

  1. Information Technology - in General
    Symptom #1 - Too Much, Too New, Too Soon

  2. In Search of Equipment
    Symptom #2 - The Best Equipment Today, Won't be Tomorrow
    Symptom #3 - Rash Promises and Vapourware
    Symptom #4 - Shopping Around Extensively
    Symptom #5 - All of the Bells and Whistles
    Symptom #6 - 'Standard' Computer Equipment

  3. Implementing the Equipment
    Symptom #7 - Training is Necessary!
    Symptom #8 - The Computer - Just a Tool
    Symptom #9 - After-Sales Support? What's That?

  4. Using the Equipment
    Symptom #10 - Inherent Abilities are Required
    Symptom #11 - Creeping Improvement Sickness
    Symptom #12 - Despise Writing Documentation
    Symptom #13 - Under-utilised Equipment
    Symptom #14 - Constant Upgrades - the 'Leapfrog' Affect
    Symptom #15 - Catastrophic Failures

Summary

The basis of the material here was first written in 1989, and is updated to mid/late-90s relevance. If anything it is now even more relevant and prevalent than before!

WHAT IS THE "RITS!"?

The "RITS!" is to do with information technology which itself refers to the use of computers to gather, classify, store, retrieve, manipulate and evaluate information.

This Rampant Information Technology Syndrome is literally the problems resulting from the rampant development of information technology. Or if you like:

"A set of signs or symptoms indicating an undesirable condition, problem or quality resulting from information technology developing in an unchecked and unrestrained manner, and on a widespread basis."

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Information Technology - in General

Symptom #1 - Too Much, Too New, Too Soon

The Symptom: There is always something new to be learnt, some new product on the market, or a new technology appearing. It is difficult to keep up with it all and some of it could even be said to be not necessary!

If you think you are afraid or concerned because you don't understand a lot about information technology and you can not keep up with all of the developments, then don't be afraid! just join the queue with all the rest of us.

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In Search of Equipment

Having decided that it's time to get some computer equipment there are several things to watch out for, especially when searching for the right equipment to do the right job. The following material is not a definitive guide to choosing equipment, but highlights some of the pitfalls.

Symptom #2 - The Best Equipment Today, Won't be Tomorrow

The Symptom: 'Equipment is continually being improved, but I want the best available!'

In order to buy the best possible equipment available, then wait until tomorrow! Today's equipment will be updated by then. Today's equipment probably will not be out of date tomorrow, but simply updated tomorrow with some improvements.

Symptom #3 - Rash Promises and Vapourware

The Symptom: While most promises of newer and better equipment and products are fulfilled, many others are just a lot of hot air.

In order to remain competitive some manufacturers of computer hardware and/or software sometimes initiate rumours, or make public announcements of new products that are currently on the drawing board. Sometimes these products are either late in getting to the market, or they never appear at all. These products are known as vapourware.

Symptom #4 - Shopping Around Extensively

The Symptom: It is very tempting to try to see every system, product and package available, in search of the best one to suit specific requirements.

There are many different products available that are all quite similar. So many, in fact, that there is probably a lot more than just one product that will almost completely suit anybody's specific requirements.

Symptom #5 - All of the Bells and Whistles

The Symptom: It is very tempting to opt for the very latest, the very best and the fastest equipment which has all of the bells and whistles.

If you only want to drive around town then why buy a turbocharged, high performance racing car, or a luxury four-wheel drive complete with heavy-duty tow bar, bull bar and winch?

Symptom #6 - 'Standard' Computer Equipment

The Symptom: It is wise to use standard equipment. However, in some areas there is either no standard, or there are plenty of standards available to choose from; so a buyer can just take their pick.

In some industries there are established standards that can be relied upon. In the information technology industry, however, there are some de facto standards, there are some established standards and there are some instances where there are several so-called standards.

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Implementing the Equipment

Having purchased or leased some equipment there are still many more pitfalls to watch out for. If the implementation and initial training is not carried out well then the foundations that are being built on may be very unstable.

Symptom #7 - Training is Necessary!

The Symptom: 'I have been playing with it for a long time now, but I still can not get the results that I am happy with!'

Just handing a person a scalpel does not automatically and instantly make them a good surgeon. If investing money in equipment then it is important to make sure that the users are taught what it can do, all that it is capable of, and how to use it!

Symptom #8 - The Computer - Just a Tool

The Symptom: 'The damned thing didn't do what I wanted it to do; it actually did what I instructed it to do!'

Computers are basically a tool to help do a job quicker, better and smarter. They can't be expected to do your thinking for you. They actually rely on unambiguous instructions from people.

Symptom #9 - After-Sales Support? What's That?

The Symptom: 'The software supplier said it is the computer's fault, and the computer supplier said it is the software. Who will help me?'

If anyone thinks that they are getting a raw deal from their equipment supplier, then they shouldn't get upset about it, because they are probably not the only one. Whilst there are many good suppliers of equipment, there are also some terrible ones.

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Using the Equipment

Having successfully implemented some computer equipment does not mean that the hard work is all over. Some people would argue that the hard work has just begun. There are still many pitfalls to watch out for, and only some of them are mentioned here.

Symptom #10 - Inherent Abilities are Required

The Symptom: 'I have done some training, but my graphs look plain and my newsletters still look amateurish.'

Giving someone some paint, brushes, an easel and some art training will not automatically make them a good artist. So when implementing computer equipment it is important to not overestimate the inherent skills and abilities of the people involved.

Symptom #11 - Creeping Improvement Sickness

The Symptom: 'The document (presentation, spreadsheet or graphics) that I have put together is not quite perfect yet. It is so easy to make little changes with this fancy equipment, so just let me fiddle with it a little bit longer, and a bit longer, and a . . .'

Now that computers are here it is very easy to get carried away with minor adjustments to the wording in a document, the appearance of a graph or graphics image, the layout of a drawing or the details of a spreadsheet.

Symptom #12 - Despise Writing Documentation

The Symptom: Nobody likes writing documentation.

For many years, in fact as long as computer systems have been around, many programmers and analysts have always tried to avoid writing documentation. Some form of documentation is needed to help the user learn how to drive a system or program and to help someone else make changes to it later. But documenting is often considered a chore.

Symptom #13 - Under-utilised Equipment

The Symptom: Having acquired a computer system and implemented it, there is a very good chance that it could still be better utilised.

Unfortunately, for many people it is a struggle to acquire a computer system and successfully implement it. The system is often intended for a particular use, and that is what it does. The user gains some experience with the system and becomes competent in using it.

Symptom #14 - Constant Upgrades - the 'Leapfrog' Affect

The Symptom: Now that you have got the best system for what you need today, you will be tempted to constantly upgrade.

Whether it was a marathon effort or not, many people who have successfully implemented a computer system do feel a degree of satisfaction and achievement. Many of them are then happy to become comfortable with using the system that they have, rather than continually strive to improve it.

However, that is not the end of it because after a time there is on-going pressure to upgrade the system to something better - either the hardware or the software.

Symptom #15 - Catastrophic Failures

The Symptom: Despite all good intentions, many people do not adequately guard against catastrophic failure of their computer system.

There are basically two ways that catastrophic failure can strike a computer system, and they can both be guarded against. Unfortunately, many people don't adequately guard against them until the failure occurs the first time. For some people it is not too late to learn at this stage, but for others there is no possible way of recovering and they have learnt their lesson the hard way.

The first basic failure is a loss of stored data.

The second basic failure is a physical loss of part or all of the computer system.
Provided the backups have been diligently performed, and a recent backup copy of the software and data is stored off-site, then the system can be readily restored to a recent condition.

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SUMMARY

There are a number of pitfalls awaiting the unwary. Be cautious, ask questions, and try to understand some things about technology, and you might be able to avoid many of them. If in doubt, then try to find a reliable source of advice and assistance.

By being aware of The "RITS!" and its symptoms, you will be better placed to avoid the traps and pitfalls of Information Technology.

The "RITS!" is more fully explained in "Merlin's Techno-Guide". (It is updated frequently, and printed in very small batch runs. The copy that you buy is very up-to-date.)

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