IT Departments are a "poisonous force"?

The IT education world has gone nuts over this salvo by reknowned personal technology guru Walter Mossberg.

"The usefulness of the personal computer has peaked, kitchen appliances will one day be online, and large technology departments are slowing down the progress of mankind.

So said Walter S. Mossberg, personal-technology columnist for The Wall Street Journal, as he spoke Monday to more than 250 college presidents and other administrators attending the Chronicle Presidents Forum. He talked about trends in technology and about upcoming developments and products.

But he began his speech by calling the information-technology departments of large organizations, including colleges, "the most regressive and poisonous force in technology today."
They make decisions based on keeping technology centralized, he said. Although lesser-known software may be better, he said, technology departments are likely to use big-name products for their own convenience. That may keep costs down for an organization, he said. But it puts consistency above customization, preventing individuals from exploring what technology products are best suited to their own needs.

And change is coming, he said, whether IT departments can keep up or not. He laid out a vision of a future in which computer technology is far better integrated into everyday life."