I don't know about that one, by Tracy Kidder's 1981 account of Data General computer engineers rushing to develop a new minicomputer to compete against DEC's VAX series is a classic of its kind. See Wikipedia's description of 'Soul of a New Machine' at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Soul_of_a_New_Machine .........Alex Kuskis Alex Kuskis, PhD Adjunct Professor MA Progam in Communication & Leadership School of Professional Studies Gonzaga University "Learning a living" - Marshall McLuhan -----Original Message----- From: air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org [mailto:air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of Lyn Jeffery Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 3:47 PM To: air-l@listserv.aoir.org Subject: Re: [Air-l] Organisational differences? Check out Ellen Ullman's 1997 novel "Close to the Machine" for a great peek into the software engineer's mind, at least at that time. A good read, too! Lyn ________________________ Lyn Jeffery, Ph.D. Research Director Institute for the Future www.iftf.org phone: 650-233-9577 blog: www.virtual-china.org 124 University Ave. 2/F, Palo Alto, CA 94301 main phone: 650-854-6322 ________________________ On 16 Oct 2006, at 09:34, Elizabeth Van Couvering wrote:
Hi everyone,
I wonder if anyone can lend some literature to the impression I have from interviewing a series of software engineers that their work in technology organisations is more valuable that the work of other parts of the organisation - e.g., "management", marketing, facilities, etc.
Thanks a bunch,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Van Couvering PhD Student Department of Media & Communications London School of Economics and Political Science http://personal.lse.ac.uk/vancouve/ e.j.van-couvering@lse.ac.uk