cw (10/24/82)
I recently posted an item that asked for information about packages to help in project management. I claimed that I had read about such a package on the net. The article generated a very heavy mail response and I would like to summarize what I learned. 1. I received a large amount of mail from all over the net. With but four exceptions, all of these items said "Goddddddd, if you find such a package, let me know, because I need one too!" 2. The clear implication is that there is a dramatic need for packages (particularly UNIX-based) for project management. If you are looking to make a fast buck, write such a package and market it. It would be gracious to send me a small token of your appreciation if this advice causes you to become filthy rich. 3. Three of the remaining responses pointed out to me that I had not read about the system on the net, but rather on a Bell Labs cover sheet. Naturally, I had filed the cover sheet in the traditional place for very important papers and had forgotten about it. Hence, I could not send for the paper. I would like to thank those people who reminded me. 4. This suggests that, for me at least, the net is becoming as important a source of random (but potentially useful) information as traditional paper. Fascinating if true. 5. It also means that you non-BTL types are out of luck. The package is proprietary. Sorry to get your hopes up. BTL types will find a notice on the net about the package. 6. I made a file with all the responses I received so that I could send mail back to the nice people. I learned another useful fact from that file. Do not type "rm" if you wish to use a file again after you have made it. So, in lieu of personal responses to each of you, please accept this public message and this gem of wisdom about "rm". 7. Oh, that other mail. Well, it congratulated me on my impending promotion. Obviously, the author thought that anyone who needed project management software must be a high mucky-muck. Were it but so. But the inference was ill-founded. I think I get the best of both worlds--no promotion and project management. Oh, lucky me. With thanks, Charles