Gary Nolan wrote:

> I am currently working on my BTI (Bachelor of Technology
> Information) at my local University. One of my professors thinks
> I should take a "newer" programming language.

then Jim Byrne:

> I know that this will light a fire under some, but if you have a
> professor at an University telling you that you should invest
> your time learning a computer language rather than the basic
> theories of information acquisition, storage, retrieval, analysis,
> and employment then you need:
>
>    a.      another professor
> or b.      another university
> or c.      both.
>
> Despite the popular press, a university is not a trade school.

Consider this a slight difference of opinion.

Rather than take what a professor said at face value, Gary chose to
run it by a few thousand of his closest friends. ;)  I think this
was a good idea, born of experience.

Also, such advice from someone in academia is to be expected,
whether on the money or not.  (In this case, I believe the professor
was correct.)

Lastly, given Gary's substantial experience in the field, I suspect
he would view any university course with a substantial reality check,
thus providing his own trade school interpretation.

--Glenn, with not a fire in sight ;)