Returning To Software Development?

north.coaster asks: "I haven't worked as a software developer for about 10 years, but back then I was a pretty decent C/Unix programmer. Now I'm thinking seriously about getting back into software development, but I don't have much expertise in the latest technologies (Java, XML, etc.). What are the job prospects for a 40+ year old who has been away from the field for that long? Short of quitting my job and going back to school for a while (which is not possible in my case), what can I do to improve my chances at landing a reasonable job?" Yesterday Slashdot was asked "Does Age Matter?" when it comes to youngers getting a fair shake in IT. Now this question proposes a look at this from the other direction. You've already got the experience, but you've taken a break from the field for a time and want to jump back in. What things should you do to prepare yourself, and what kind of responses should you be prepared to get?