NyteGeek's Journal: Are most IT people just average users with computer jobs?

When I was not even a year old the most advanced Intel microprocessor, was an 8bit 8080 running at a whopping 2 megahertz. It sold for around $360 at the time. It was the last stop before the x86 processor. It was used in the MITS Altair 8800. The first programming language written for it was Microsoft's first product, ALTAIR Basic.

Most tech minded people I know are not cognizant of personal computers, Microsoft, or Intel before the 1990's. A smaller group of these friends and acquaintances is aware of what was around in the early to mid 80's. I think I know less than 5 people personally that would have any clue about the state of affairs in 1975 as mentioned above. I was still a baby in 1975, what is their excuse?

Most of what I know is self taught. Sure, I went to college and got the degree to back up what I had learned already, but I'm amazed at the ignorance of some "experts". I know software engineers that are so specialized that they aren't qualified to maintain or trouble shoot basic computer problems, CS 101 instructors that had never heard of anything but windows until they had me in class, and MCSE's that couldn't find their way out of a paper bag let alone support an operating system.

It seems like many intelligent computer geeks are either full blown computer science degree types or hobbyists that tinker in their spare time and don't even work in IT. I know a couple exceptions to this but not many.