[LINK] Handwriting proves a stretch for computer-savvy students

[Marghanita da Cruz]

Jan Whitaker wrote:
> At 07:31 AM 16/10/2010, Bernard Robertson-Dunn you wrote:
>> It's a common issue in IT, where the focus is primarily on solutions,
>> not problems.
> 
> Not just IT. I've just finished reading a book called Understanding 
> Uncertainty by Clem Malloy. Basic issue: we all seek certainty, but 
> it's an illusion. Life is uncertainty. The best we can hope for is 
> the personal (societal?) ability to accept that, cope with the 
> continual change, stop fighting it, take advantage of it as it is 
> happening and manage the risks that are bound to come with it 
> creating more uncertainty. He talks specifically about technology and 
> gives some examples of areas we have discussed on Link a few times. 
> But it's not just IT that encounters this dilemma.
> 

Jan,

You've hit on a pet topic of mine.
> In Understanding and Managing Risk Attitude*, Hilson and Murray-Webster1 elaborate on the role of Heuristics and Emotional Intelligence in risk assessment and management. They classify Individuals as risk averse, risk neutral or risk tolerant and discuss how this influences individual and groups behavior towards risk identification and management. To some, inclusion in the group is important. Risk Takers may unrealistically emphasize benefits and underplay or not look for threats. Achievement focussed individuals may seek lesser but less threatening outcomes. Individuals' attitudes to risk and their role in the group, also affect the group's attitude to risk.
> 
> Rice, O'connor, Pierantozzi have (3) identified four broad areas of ICT project uncertainty: Technical, Market, Organisational and Resource Uncertainty.
> 
> In undertaking ICT projects and in the ongoing use of ICT by an organisation, its Directors need to be mindful of their obligations. A prudent approach requires a thorough risk analysis of the impact the project will have on the organisation, the risks and uncertainty inherrent in the technology and the new business processes and relationships it will create. This approach needs to continue as the project progresses circumstances may change and new information may come to light. Directors need to monitor the project and ensure it adapts to its changing environment or if it appears unlikely to succeed then its termination should be timely.
<http://ramin.com.au/itgovernance/>

> As for handwriting, mine now officially sucks.
> 
<snip>
So, does mine. However, recently, I had the odd experienc of
handwriting an objection to a Development Application, over
a cuppa, for an objector who doesn't use the Internet and is
temporarily incapacitated. She dictated (with a bit of
discussion along the way),  I was gently asked to write a
clean copy, before she signed. Hope the JRPP appreciates
this! My own objection was lodged by email!

While we are talking about the good old days...I recently
came across an interesting newspaper article...
> ."CARDINAL MORAN AT ANNANDALE...the cardinal went on to remark that he was reading a celebrated work a few days ago on the achievements of the present century. ...It was both a wonderful century and a wonderful age in which they lived - wonderful because of the scientific and distinguished achievements that had been made. One of the paramount features of the age lay in the great facilities that were furnished by commerce in bringing them in touch with distant lands. Nowadays they were so close with the old world that it seemed by comparison to be but the next village, when viewed in the light of what existed half a century ago. ...network of railways that now entwined the various continents...great ocean steamships...vast strides made with gas and the electric light; of the latter even many of the small villages had availed themselves of the privileges....Our leading statesmen were engaged in formulating a constitution which, whilst preserving and safeguarding the interests

> of respective peoples, would enable
> Australia to rise in the exuberance of its resources and
> preservere the energy of its citizens..
- The Sydney Morning Herald 17 October 1898 page 9
<http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/14180372>

Marghanita
-- 
Marghanita da Cruz
http://ramin.com.au
Tel: 0414-869202