In-Depth

Response Time

• 12/01/2000

Charlie:

I so strongly agree with every point you made, and the overall observations that I felt compelled to send you a note to compliment you on your article ["Don’t Tread on Me," September ESJ, page 8]. Common courtesy and accountability surely seem lost in our new, fast-moving, high-tech/business-frenzied world.

Corporate mergers routinely let go of people who’ve given years of loyalty in the name of progress and profits. High school administrators are afraid to invoke any real discipline, as when I was a child, for fear of lawsuits. Retail clerks don’t even look up at times to help waiting customers.

We have adults acting like impudent children, and children acting like unruly adults.

Courtesy, propriety and moderation are being lost in the shuffle. "Looking up from our keyboards, and politely acknowledging one another," is certainly a highly-needed beginning. If we don’t soon return to traditional values of God, country, hard work and family, we may find ourselves winners in the battle of progress, and losers in the war of civilization.

Charlie,

I read your recent editorial, and I couldn’t agree more. I too wonder where the concept of respect has gone. I recently attended a racing event, and noticed that many people did not even bother to remove their hats during the singing of the national anthem. I hope that your article has opened some eyes, and moved us to show a little more respect toward one another and the people that gave their lives so that we are able to enjoy the many freedoms that we take for granted today.

Charlie,

I could not agree more with your editorial in the September issue of ESJ. I witness on a regular basis appalling actions by both children, and the parents that present themselves as examples. Whether it is disrespectful or thoughtless actions toward others, or parents fighting (even injuring each other!) over plays at their children’s soccer games, there has to be a point where enough is enough. I feel, as you, that these attitudes will only change when parents and children alike are held accountable for their actions. Everything cannot be someone else’s fault.

It’s good to know that others feel the same way, and are as distraught at the lack of respect and discipline that seems to be overlooked by many these days. I’m certainly glad you took your opportunity to bring the situation to the attention of your readership. Hopefully (but sadly, not likely!?), just a few readers will see themselves in your writing, and pause to reflect. Thanks, and keep up the great work with ESJ!

Charlie:

Magnificent!

What a pleasure to see your comments in an IS magazine, or in ANY magazine. I applaud your stand, and could not agree with you more. When we take individual responsibility for our own behavior, and show respect for others, maybe we can overcome our reputation as a nation of yahoos. Please continue to champion this call for civility and courtesy.

Mr. Simpson,

I respectfully disagree with your editorial in ESJ. "Technology is breaking down traditional social skills that are developed through human interaction, and I fear that we will be much worse off for the experience."

Hmmmm, have you been in AOL chat rooms? There is something fascinating going on there. Something amazing about human interaction. I have a friend studying that. It is his hypothesis that the interaction is much more real than face-to-face interaction.

I experienced it myself. I learned that I could enter the room, and become the person I want to be. Unfettered by body language, prejudices, judgments or physical impediments. What I experience there, with a few rare individuals, is a mind-to-mind communication – one that, I think, will revolutionize the world.

Hi, I was just curious regarding the article called, "Riding Shotgun with the Masters of Disaster," written by Jerry Fireman, [September ESJ, page 34]. In the article, he stated, "28 terabytes of data stored on 706 DASD 57 StorageTek tape silos," is the 28TB of data just what is on DASD? and the 57 STK silos in addition?, or is the 28TB total between the DASD and tape?

If Mr. Fireman can clarify the information for me, I’d be really interested, thanks.

According to Verizon:

Total number of silos: 60 Total silo mounts: 1,571,875/month

Total floor drives: 124 Total floor mounts: 38,723/month

Percent automated mounts: 95.12 Total tapes: 1,755,825

Jerry Fireman