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SAN JUAN ISLAND LIBRARY |
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Tech specialist logs off
posted 05/12/03
As the years went by, I became very interested in computers, and was promoted to Computer Tech, in charge of the care and feeding of between six (at first) and 24 (when I left) PCs, for both staff and public use. At that time, in 1996, I knew all the ins and outs of operating systems and applications. Windows 3.1 was putty in my hands. Today, everything is different. We are so dependent on computer technology that many of the library's functions completely shut down if we have a power or network failure. I could no more do the job of a library computer tech than fly. Integrated networks, cyber-this and wireless-that, Windows NT and XP and HDSL and SQL and PERL and IPAC ….the alphabet soup is so thick I can hardly see. I am a fairly educated and knowledgeable user of the systems, but no more than that. Michael Perren, the San Juan Island Library's Technology Specialist, has one of those brains that interface with we mere mortals using only a fraction of its capacity. His knowledge and practical ability to deal with both big-picture, long-term systems, as well as everyday hardware breakdowns (is it plugged in?) is vast. Not only that, but he's an excellent teacher and a really nice guy. He was also the first person I hired when I came to the San Juans two years ago. That is why his leaving will be such a major loss to me, to the library and to the island. Yes, it's true: Michael has decided to go off and seek his fortune in America. I know the library will survive, but we will miss him. He's only around until the end of July, so please join me in wishing him well.
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