Giving Away Secrets

I've often been asked why I 'blog' (not that I update this blog anywhere near as often as I would like). I've had people say that I'm "giving away secrets" and that I won't be in demand in the job marketplace if I continually tell other people how to do what I do.

That maybe so, but surely that's a good thing right? I want to be able to move on and learn new things on a daily basis and if I can get others to do the things that I traditionally do, then that creates the opportunity for me to move on?

Then there is the fact that I'm not getting any younger and retaining information in my head isn't as easy these days as it used to be. It's like creaking limbs and deteriorating eyesight... I find I'm becoming more forgetful (which my wife will more than happily corroborate). As such, writing all these things down is actually as much for my own private use as it is to help others.

And finally, altruism feels good. Now, I don't for one minute think that I'm the most altruistic person I know. Giving away information on IBM Tivoli security software can barely be described as altruistic really. But nonetheless, it feels like I'm doing a good thing. Last week, I received an email from a very kind individual which reminded me that it is a good thing. The email said:

"You are a rock star and a gentleman. Thanks so much for all the helpful material you have put together! I owe you at least a suitcase of beer. Feel free to cash in anytime."

I don't get many emails of that type. Mostly, I get emails asking for free consultancy so it brightened my day when I saw the above. So, to the sender (Tim), I say thank you for the kind offer of beer but it's really not necessary. Acknowledgement that the material is worthwhile is quite enough for me.