Duane Percox writes:
>Gadzooks! The accountants are thinking 'Internet'....
>
>On the cover of "The Accounting Today Marketplace" - The Resource
>Directory for the Tax and Accounting Community:
>
>The Practitioners' Guide to the Internet
>How to:
>- Choose a Web browser
>- Prepare a successful Web site
>- Register a Web name
>
>Uh-oh...this is getting way toooo mainstream....
 
Our CPA firm has been running an "Internet" section in its monthly client
newsletter for almost a year now. Including such gems as "Firms are
making millions on the Internet. Do you have a strategy?"
 
They're now teaching "Introduction to the Internet" classes along with
their regular computer classes. (They've been teaching Word, Excel, and
an accounting package for several years now.) I went to it to see what
kinds of things were being taught. Answer: trash. The person who was
teaching the class was grossly incompetent. Not just on the technical
stuff -- I can excuse that, as long as the instructor says "I don't know"
instead of making up an answer -- but on really basic things, like what
the "Reload" button does in Netscape, or what the "Bcc" field is for in
Eudora. She didn't know the difference between an online service and an
ISP, or how their billing practices differ.
 
She even screwed up some things that could have real financial
consequences: she pointed out that there were several stock quote
services on the Internet, some of which are free and some of which you
have to sign pay for. Then she said it was silly to pay for stuff you
could get for free. I had to tell the class that the free quotes are
delayed 15 minutes, and that the paid-for service is real-time. She said,
"Oh, really?"
 
Not that she wanted people to know about free services, at least where
HER pocket was concerned. She started to talk about some Web sites that
offer free Internet training, then stopped in mid-sentence and went on to
something else. I later overheard her apologizing to the training manager
for her "slip."
 
Now, I pointed out all these things -- and many more -- to the firm's
management, and at last report, they had switched instructors. It turns
out that, unlike their accounting- and office management-oriented
computer classes, which are taught by in-house instructors, their
Internet class was taught by an outside contractor. But it also turns out
that the person they hired makes her living by teaching computer and
Internet classes at local community colleges! She came with such a good
CV, you see, and (I'm guessing here) the firm's management didn't feel
they could allow themselves to be left behind in the Great Internet Gold
Rush, but had no way of evaluating potential instructors.
 
So, yes, it's getting mainstream. The accounting firm teaching this
"class" isn't a fly-by-night operation. It's the largest independent
accounting firm in Arizona, with an excellent reputation. Arizona
reader(s?) of this list may well be familiar with it. And of course,
CompUSA will teach you all about the Internet for only $299 for a ONE DAY
class. No doubt they'll teach you all about how to use the software that
they'll sell you to do things that you could do for free (or for tax
money you've already paid). There are even laser-printed signs tacked up
around our neighborhood: "Internet Classes: 953-1235".
 
Part of me says I should go down to the public library on Saturdays and
teach free Internet classes to counteract all this nonsense. That part
has to fight with the other part that's just disgusted by the whole
business. Everyone's getting in the act now, to stake their claim in the
Internet gold rush. Sorry, Duane, but the flies have discovered the
picnic.
 
-- Bruce
 
PS. I'm sure the world will look much brighter after I get some coffee
:-).
 
- B
 
 
 
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Bruce Toback    Tel: (602) 996-8601| My candle burns at both ends;
OPT, Inc.            (800) 858-4507| It will not last the night;
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Phoenix AZ 85028                   | It gives a lovely light.
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