3-Dimensional.Skillsets?

I often think about generalization and specialization of skillsets in an organization. I think most IT companies nowadays want people who are able to do everything (a.k.a. Pao-Kar-Liow or One-Leg-Kick). The management of these companies are usually afraid of the high-turnover in the industry and therefore, want their developers to be able to do everything and anything.

While, I come from a generalized background, I don't really agree with this sort of expectations. Yeah, you can hire me to do network infrastructure stuff, write code, meet clients, write technical solutions for proposals, manage projects, manage people, define quality process, analyze requirements, design systems, implement systems and yada yada yada... but it just ain't right!

After a near decade long of doing this and that, I really don't find myself having the depth in anything, except for the platform that I'm working on which is the Microsoft Platform. I strive to make architecturing as my core and writting code as my second but I guessed it ain't working.

What's worst, my manager now believes that everyone should be skilled in everything in every platform. Meaning, apart form being able to write code and toy with databases on one platform, everyone should be able to do that on whatever platforms. Like everyone can design and implement Java solutions on OSS products and .NET solutions on Windows.

I don't think it is impossible but I don't think it is right either. Can anyone come out with good solutions in this sort of environment? 3 years on Java and 3 years on .NET does not make one, a 6 years experienced Java architect, nor does it make a 6 years experienced .NET architect. Technology requires focus!

So what if I can install Linux now and issue a few commands on the command line? Does that make me an architect for Linux? By the time, I'm comfortable and achieve the level of expertise, Microsoft will have Windows Longhorn released with all the revamped architecture like Indigo, Avalon and WinFS. Heck, after 3 months long of drilling in Oracle for my exam, I'm already left far behind the new features of SQL Server 2005.

Technology is a moving target. So how can anyone be skilled in all areas and in all platforms with 24 hours everyday? When there is no specialization, work quality becomes mediocre. It is like having a GP to replace a surgeon or a gynecologist performing a heart-bypass surgery.

I see there is no way for someone to be skilled in so many moving technologies to be able to acquire the required depth for producing quality work. What do you think?