What IT People Need to Know About Non-IT People

Not many things get me riled up more quickly than hearing fellow IT professionals ridicule people for being technically unsophisticated. Here are a few things IT people need to know about non-IT people.

Everybody is good at something, but not necessarily IT. If everyone were good at IT, many of you would be unemployed, eating Hot Pockets, living in your mother’s basement, and playing X-Box all day.

Writers don’t need to know a domain from a workgroup, as long as they’re there for you and they know their stuff. If you’re lucky, they can rework that gibberish you write and make you look good to your clients.

Doctors don’t need to know MS Office from MS Windows, as long as they know a metacarpal from a mandible. It would be a shame to have a cast in the wrong place! Luckily, doctors have “M.D.” instead of “MCSE” after their names.

Accountants don’t need to know a router from an access point , as long as they know the difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit.  Who would you rather prepare your financial statements: a CCNA or a CPA?

Financial advisers don’t need to know 802.3 from 802.11, as long as they know a SEP from a Keogh from a 401(k).  You just might prefer to have a CFP, rather than a CNE, help you with retirement planning.

Personally, I’m delighted that there are non-technical people I can earn a living helping, and thankful that there are people who can help me with things I can’t do myself.  Vive la différence!