I haven't come up with a good definition for Systems Programmer but here's a test to see if you are one (no offense meant to anyone):
Are You Qualified To Be a Systems Programmer? The following test will determine that without any questions. Read carefully. Answer all questions. Time limit: four hours. Begin immediately. I. HISTORY - Describe the history of the papacy from its origins to the present day, concentration especially, but not exclusively, on its social, political, economic, religious, and philosophical impact on Europe, Asia, Americas, and Africa. Be brief, concise, and specific. II. MEDICINE - You have been provided with a razor blade, a piece of gauze, and a bottle of Scotch. Remove your appendix. If your appendix has already been removed, reinsert it. Do not suture until your work has been inspected. You have 15 minutes. III. PUBLIC SPEAKING - 2,500 riot-crazed aborigines are storming your office. Calm them. You may use any ancient language, except Greek. IV. BIOLOGY - Create life. Estimate the differences in subsequent human culture if this form of life had developed 500 million years earlier, with special attention to its probable effect on the English parliamentary system. Prove your thesis. V. MUSIC - Write a piano concerto. Orchestrate and perform it with flute and drum. You will find a piano under your seat. VI. PSYCHOLOGY - Based on your knowledge of their works, evaluate the emotional stability, degree of adjustment, and repressed frustrations of each of the following: Alexander of Aphrodisias, Ramses II, Gregory of Nicia, Hammurabi. Support your evaluation with quotations from each man's work, making appropriate references. It is not necessary to translate. VII. ENGINEERING - The disassembled parts of a high-powered rifle have been placed on your desk. You will also find an instruction manual, printed in Swahili. In 10 minutes, a hungry Bengal tiger will be admitted to the room. Take whatever action you feel appropriate. Be prepared to justify your decision. VIII. SOCIOLOGY - Estimate the sociological problems that might accompany the end of the world. Construct an experiment to test your theory. IX. POLITICAL SCIENCE - There is a red telephone on the desk beside you. Start World War III. Report at length on its sociopolitical effects, if any. X. EPISTEMOLOGY - Take a position for or against truth. Prove the validity of your stand. XI. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE - Describe in detail. Be objective and specific. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
