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Technology Spending On The Rise
securitas writes "After the technology industry's so-called nuclear winter that has resulted in thousands of lost jobs over the last three years, the New York Times' Steve Lohr reports that technology spending is finally increasing (Google / mirror). Much of the investment in hardware and software is spurred by the natural corporate replacement cycle, but the positive change offers a glimmer of hope for techies everywhere. IBM CEO Sam Palmisano says that IBM plans 'to add 10,000 workers in fields of emerging demand over the next year.' Based on IBM's current Linux advertising campaign and market projections, this will probably mean hiring staff who are knowledgeable about Linux and open source software. Is this just a blip as some analysts believe, or is it the beginnings of a resurgence for the technology sector?"
Yes, the 80s with Reagan. If I remember correctly, an unprecedented number of jobs (17% growth) were created during that period of history, and inflation was slowed by over 10%. Probably the most impressive economic recovery in the history of mankind.
I'm admittedly in a weird niche (compressed video consulting and training), but the demand for my services has been ramping up nicely since February, and just blasting off in the last month. I expect to bill more Q4 of this year than I billed in all of 2002.
And it isn't just one client. It's coming from a lot of different directions, from a lot of different companies and industries. And nice, juicy, interesting jobs too. It was like the outsourcing switch just got turned on.
Of course, independent consultants like me are often a good six months ahead of the rest of the economy. When things get tight, consultants get cut first, and when things are looking up, consultants get hired before full-time employees, since if things turn out to be not THAT up, we're easier to get rid of.
My video compression blog
First off, China has pegged its currency to the US currency and still subsidizes housing. I don't see that happening in the United States. They can't have their cake and eat it too. China's a threat right now.
As for India, you can be sure that the overall poor services rendered and lack of accountability will start stinging companies hard. Go look on www.theinquirer.net and search for HP on the quality of customer service outsourced to India. You can't save a sinking ship when so many people live in poverty like India. In fact, by your implied logic it will only increase the differences between the haves and the have-nots.
I will clear the conscience of anyone who wants to mod the parent down: you are not accepting the viewpoint of the parent, you are simply removing a weakly-worded argument from the view of most.
I notice that jobs for embedded programming close to hardware are picking up in the Toronto area. ATI even invited me to a job faire at a pub -- In Ottawa, oops! (I'll go to the one at their HQ in Markham, but I doubt there's beer. *sigh*)
One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
Yes, but the problem with IBM and their new Linux jobs is that most managers are trying to get by with hiring Linux personel at the same costs as Windoze personel. Trust me, I know (don't ask, can't tell)...
The problem with Linux becoming mainstream is that Linux (and as a result *NIX) knowledge is starting to become more widespread and therefore less of a commodity...
I think you will start to see more Linux positions, but they will be paying much less than before...
Of course, as always it is my opinion that the real good ppl will still be paid highly, they will just have to take on more jobs or more demanding positions...
> In addition to the manufacturing to repair the damages from the war, do not forget the following impacts on the consumer side of the economy:
Actually, the families of many of the National Guard members are suffering a great deal of economic hardship right now, because for many of them their military pay is far less than the civilian jobs they left when they were called up.
Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
After an 18 month period with almost zero good positions in the area matching my skill set, I've suddenly had 6 interviews in the last 45 days with contacts for more this week. From my very limited subjective experience things are definitely beginning to heat up again.
Not at the same pace, mind you - most companies after having been scared away from IT are just realizing that doing business requires the technology to stay competitive. They aren't hiring at the trumped up rates of a few years ago, but they are at least acknowleding the need and beginning to take steps to fill roles.
Any spoon would be too big.
Indeed, but it must actually be a competitive advantage to confer competitive advantage. Businesses are notoriously poor at understanding this point or selecting the right technolgies.
:)
That is a moot point. Yes, businesses aren't perfect but they do the best that they can. If they aren't selecting the right technologies, who is?
You mention that MS products are more expensive but they are not. Look at it within the context of a business. The vast majority of hte applications are written for Windows. In fact, they are Windows-only. If you want an accounting solution, Windows offers the best choices. How about ERP or sales? Windows. And so forth. A lot of people don't realize that Linux (or other competitor) adoption is low, not because these OSes suck, but because they don't have the necessary applications. How many people realize that Linux will never be accepted by home users, for example, until games and other multimedia apps are available.
Which also brings up the issue of whether we are going to consider building such skyscrapers as desirable jobs, and then rebuilding them when they fall. Is this the creation of wealth? Less stitches more riches?
That's capitalism! Make a quick buck and ignore the future. That's how everyone acts, including the executives running the show. Don't get me wrong: I'm an anti-capitalist. But that's how the world works.
Well, as has already been pointed out it usually works the other way around. People want apps that their hardware won't run so they have to invest in new hardware.
Pointed out by who? Anyway, I was speaking about the general case. In the vast majority of cases IMO, the software and hardware go hand-in-hand. Organizations don't usually upgrade hardware just to increase speed (unless performance is a major bottleneck). My experience has been that companies upgrade hardware and software together (eg. new Windows+new hardware), often for reasons other than speed. The general philosophy of corporations is summed up as: if it works, just leave it alone.
Yes, but usually fewer jobs overall. They are also typically transfer jobs. In the context of this discussion we're talking about IT jobs, not the delivery jobs you posit.
I was actually talking about tech jobs and not shipping jobs (my wording wasn't very good). The shipping company will hire software developers, or maintainers, or some service provider, if they wanted to use a new computer-based tracking system. They just created some IT jobs.
Based on your opinions, you seem like a luddite. I'm not sure what your theory of jobs is.
Now that's a long thread.
The amazing thing is that you practically replied to everyone who posted
Sivaram Velauthapillai
Sivaram Velauthapillai
Seeking the meaning of life... @slashdot of all places
H1-b/L1 legislation basically allows major corporations to use a chance at a green card as a corporate perk(i.e. it is a corporate subsidy program according to the Nobel Prize Winner and Reagan Economics advisor Milton Friedman). The only presidential candidate that opposed H-1b expansion in 1998 was Dennis Kucinich.
There are some real systemic problems in the US(i.e. the tax structure more or less assures a substantial trade deficit, governmental budget deficit and export of capital). The current immigration/temporary worker visa policy is making this worse-basically assuring that those US citizens generating foreign exchange will face governmental subsidies to lower their wages--while US citizens in "protected" and "licensed" professions(i.e. lawyers, actuaries, accountants) have fewer such problems).
In the context of a political system that is for sale, reviving of an industry may not make much difference to the average tech worker.
Be aware that those 10,000 jobs are in the IBM India research center.