There will always be the workers who are management favorites, like a teacher's pet. Good for you if are able to achieve that. Instead of working out in the fields, you get to work inside and maybe even become a master someday if you please the current master well enough.
But, on the whole, I'm talking on a societal level here, unions have done more to lift ALL boats, not just your personal dinghy, than any other institution.
Now the rights unions fought for are enshrined in law.
Oh really? And what law gives you the right to vacations, pensions, sick pay, etc.
And who do you think is gunning right now to gut any laws that do happen to exist?
Yes, tech workers need unions
on
Should IT Unionize?
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
Yes. It is the corporate DNA to pay workers as little as the can get away with and produce as much work from workers as possible. That's just the nature of capitalism. By joining a union, workers can push back against being treated as nothing more than a disposable tool.
Are unions perfect? Of course not. But neither is anything institution run by mortals. But like anything, you have to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages.
There's no question unions have brought more balance to laissez faire capitalism. Unfortunately, they have become victims of their own success. Health care, vacation pay, pensions, 40 hour work weeks, overttime, health and safet regs, etc. All of these were the result of workers pooling their money and getting themselves political muscle. Believe me, it wasn't given to them. Ask you grandfather or great grandfather who got his head cracked open with a club for participating in a strike.
Unfortunately, it's in most people's nature to be sheep and be complacent to try to protect what they have. Why risk your job by going against the company's wishes to remain union free. It won't be until workers really feel the sting of boots on their necks grinding them into the pavement will workers actually get pissed off enough to fight back.
So, look for your hours to get even longer, your paychecks to shrink even more, and lose more benefits before unions can become a reality.
But ff they were smart, and could learn to stick together (get over that rugged individualism bullshit they like to believe), techs could do a lot for themselves here and now.
I should know. I'm a union guy working in the tech industry.
Seems you don't really understand free software. I know when I write free software, I get paid for it. What I don't so is get my clients over a fucking barrel and hold my code hostage just to make a buck.
Think for a moment how incredibly inefficient what you are proposing is. Every single time a company does something stupid that's detrimental to the rest of us we have to organize a boycott and start educating everyone else? No thanks.
We have government to make this process easier. It makes laws and it enforces them. We elect people run it for us. It collects taxes to finance itself. Perfect? Hell no. But government is certainly a of a lot better and reliable than having everybody trying to police everybody else. I don't know about you, but I prefer living in an advanced modern society instead of a cave.
So, now, go out and educate your law maker as to why they need to pass a net neutrality law and we won't have to revisit this issue again.
It's illegal for anyone to open mail not intended for them. The same should be done for electronic communication.
And if I hear one libertarian say we need less laws, I'll puke. It's as if they though they had a magic wand and all the troubles of the world would disappear by removing government. Unfortunately, the world hasn't worked that way since we left the caves 12,000 years ago.
Microsoft will give this technology away, which requires their software which you have to purchase additional Windows server software for. Google will give their technology away and as a way to build their brand and reputation and your trust in them so they can more effectively deliver ads to your eyeballs.
The difference is you have clients. You are your own boss. But if you are a wage slave where the rewards for your good performance are much more indirect (if there are any), it's a huge intrusion into your life. Most people would rather stop thinking about work when they clock out and I don't blame them one bit. Try to put yourself in their shoes.
As the guy in the article points out, it is trivially easy to move bits from one person to another.
If I amass a 1,000 song collection with mp3s, won't it be trivially easy for me to "share" my music with all my friends? Wouldn't that really help build my reputation with them? And wouldn't those who received the free music be inclined to give away their music to others as well to help build their reputation?
It's good that the record companies now understand the scourge of DRM, but I don't see how the artists win in this scenario.
"Talk to our guy over at NSA, the one you gave the special clearance to. I think those Dems might be up to something. Let's see who they've been talking to."
One version the story is that this guy was pushy in getting to the mic and about asking his questions even though they were out of time.
Even if that's the case, there are far better ways to handle a questioner who hogs the stage. Whoever was in charge of that event should have politely interrupted, loudly say "Sorry, we have no time for further questions," and cut the mic off. This was totally uncalled for. The University, a state institution, should get their asses sued off.
They will buy it because it tastes good. How many kids out there would would make a buying decision based on what's in the best interest of others. The costs of carelessly discarded gum are externalized and don't affect the chewer. So I don't see how this product will ever be successful.
I wonder with telco/cable company this "research" firm was paid by. This bit of disinformation helps support their case for why we need to turn the net into an information superhighway dotted with toll booths. However, there are better ways to do things.
Isn't funny, that a country of South Korea does just fine with super fast broadband connections many times faster than ours in both directions? No problems there. Unfortunately, this country's moronic embrace of unfettered capitalism and foolish trust in corporations to deliver essential public services is stopping us from seeing the best approach to delivering an infrastructure that will serve people well.
Step 1) Put the technological infrastructure in place Step 2) Place your political friends and allies in charge of the infrastructure Step 3) Reduce measures to control abuse of they system by claiming it's in the interests of "national security" Step 4) Undermine the efforts of your political enemies with your newfound power
To me, this is evidence of a better educated society in Europe. I think a larger portion of the population over there understands the politics behind software (and anything else, for that matter).
This can only help those phone companies. Once we're done deregulating the telecommunications industry, we can start getting rid of those pesky traffic light and parking restrictions that regulate where and how I drive MY car.
"For more than 200 years, our country's legal system has refused to recognize 'product libel.' People can maliciously libel a human being and be required to pay damages; but not inanimate products like Corvairs, Pinto fuel tanks, asbestos, the Dalkon Shield, fruits, vegetables and meat products.... One has only to look back at our history and see how the dissenters of the past -- criticizing tobacco, coal dust, useless over-the-counter drugs and a variety of health-damaging food additives and pesticides -- have been proven right again and again.... These ranchers know they will not be awarded any money by the time their case is disposed of in Texas or before the higher courts. The main objective of these frivolous lawsuits is not money; it is to send a chilling message to millions of people that if Winfrey can be sued for speaking her mind about not eating hamburgers then they had better keep their opinions to themselves."
Remember when Oprah got sued by the beef industry for expressing her concerns about the safety of meat? Better watch what you say in public about the products you use. Unless it's gushing, fan-boy enthusiasm, you could have the "product libel" lawyers all over you. So, yes, it's safer to just shut up; don't make any waves. It's one of the small prices we have to pay for freedom in this country.
"You are an old man who thinks in terms of nations and peoples. There are no nations. There are no peoples. There are no Russians. There are no Arabs. There are no third worlds. There is no West. There is only one holistic system of systems, one vast and immane, interwoven, interacting, multivariate, multi-national dominion of dollars. Petro-dollars, electro-dollars, multi-dollars, Reichmarks, rins, rubles, pounds, and shekels.
It is the international system of currency which determines the totality of life on this planet. That is the natural order of things today. That is the atomic and subatomic and galactic structure of things today!"
--Arthur Jensen, played by Ned Beatty, Network, 1976
Slashdot Mirror
There will always be the workers who are management favorites, like a teacher's pet. Good for you if are able to achieve that. Instead of working out in the fields, you get to work inside and maybe even become a master someday if you please the current master well enough.
But, on the whole, I'm talking on a societal level here, unions have done more to lift ALL boats, not just your personal dinghy, than any other institution.
Now the rights unions fought for are enshrined in law.
Oh really? And what law gives you the right to vacations, pensions, sick pay, etc.
And who do you think is gunning right now to gut any laws that do happen to exist?
Yes. It is the corporate DNA to pay workers as little as the can get away with and produce as much work from workers as possible. That's just the nature of capitalism. By joining a union, workers can push back against being treated as nothing more than a disposable tool.
Are unions perfect? Of course not. But neither is anything institution run by mortals. But like anything, you have to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages.
There's no question unions have brought more balance to laissez faire capitalism. Unfortunately, they have become victims of their own success. Health care, vacation pay, pensions, 40 hour work weeks, overttime, health and safet regs, etc. All of these were the result of workers pooling their money and getting themselves political muscle. Believe me, it wasn't given to them. Ask you grandfather or great grandfather who got his head cracked open with a club for participating in a strike.
Unfortunately, it's in most people's nature to be sheep and be complacent to try to protect what they have. Why risk your job by going against the company's wishes to remain union free. It won't be until workers really feel the sting of boots on their necks grinding them into the pavement will workers actually get pissed off enough to fight back.
So, look for your hours to get even longer, your paychecks to shrink even more, and lose more benefits before unions can become a reality.
But ff they were smart, and could learn to stick together (get over that rugged individualism bullshit they like to believe), techs could do a lot for themselves here and now.
I should know. I'm a union guy working in the tech industry.
Somewhere between Friday and Saturday, they handed over information on political enemies of the executive branch.
Seems you don't really understand free software. I know when I write free software, I get paid for it. What I don't so is get my clients over a fucking barrel and hold my code hostage just to make a buck.
Think for a moment how incredibly inefficient what you are proposing is. Every single time a company does something stupid that's detrimental to the rest of us we have to organize a boycott and start educating everyone else? No thanks.
We have government to make this process easier. It makes laws and it enforces them. We elect people run it for us. It collects taxes to finance itself. Perfect? Hell no. But government is certainly a of a lot better and reliable than having everybody trying to police everybody else. I don't know about you, but I prefer living in an advanced modern society instead of a cave.
So, now, go out and educate your law maker as to why they need to pass a net neutrality law and we won't have to revisit this issue again.
It's illegal for anyone to open mail not intended for them. The same should be done for electronic communication.
And if I hear one libertarian say we need less laws, I'll puke. It's as if they though they had a magic wand and all the troubles of the world would disappear by removing government. Unfortunately, the world hasn't worked that way since we left the caves 12,000 years ago.
Microsoft will give this technology away, which requires their software which you have to purchase additional Windows server software for. Google will give their technology away and as a way to build their brand and reputation and your trust in them so they can more effectively deliver ads to your eyeballs.
Thanks for posting. Saved me for screaming RTFA!
Aw, you beat me to it! Curse you, you are just as uncreative as me.
The difference is you have clients. You are your own boss. But if you are a wage slave where the rewards for your good performance are much more indirect (if there are any), it's a huge intrusion into your life. Most people would rather stop thinking about work when they clock out and I don't blame them one bit. Try to put yourself in their shoes.
As the guy in the article points out, it is trivially easy to move bits from one person to another.
If I amass a 1,000 song collection with mp3s, won't it be trivially easy for me to "share" my music with all my friends? Wouldn't that really help build my reputation with them? And wouldn't those who received the free music be inclined to give away their music to others as well to help build their reputation?
It's good that the record companies now understand the scourge of DRM, but I don't see how the artists win in this scenario.
"Talk to our guy over at NSA, the one you gave the special clearance to. I think those Dems might be up to something. Let's see who they've been talking to."
One version the story is that this guy was pushy in getting to the mic and about asking his questions even though they were out of time.
Even if that's the case, there are far better ways to handle a questioner who hogs the stage. Whoever was in charge of that event should have politely interrupted, loudly say "Sorry, we have no time for further questions," and cut the mic off. This was totally uncalled for. The University, a state institution, should get their asses sued off.
They will buy it because it tastes good. How many kids out there would would make a buying decision based on what's in the best interest of others. The costs of carelessly discarded gum are externalized and don't affect the chewer. So I don't see how this product will ever be successful.
Actually, my Mom still has it. Bought the thing in 1997. Still works!
I wonder with telco/cable company this "research" firm was paid by. This bit of disinformation helps support their case for why we need to turn the net into an information superhighway dotted with toll booths. However, there are better ways to do things.
Isn't funny, that a country of South Korea does just fine with super fast broadband connections many times faster than ours in both directions? No problems there. Unfortunately, this country's moronic embrace of unfettered capitalism and foolish trust in corporations to deliver essential public services is stopping us from seeing the best approach to delivering an infrastructure that will serve people well.
Step 1) Put the technological infrastructure in place
Step 2) Place your political friends and allies in charge of the infrastructure
Step 3) Reduce measures to control abuse of they system by claiming it's in the interests of "national security"
Step 4) Undermine the efforts of your political enemies with your newfound power
To me, this is evidence of a better educated society in Europe. I think a larger portion of the population over there understands the politics behind software (and anything else, for that matter).
This can only help those phone companies. Once we're done deregulating the telecommunications industry, we can start getting rid of those pesky traffic light and parking restrictions that regulate where and how I drive MY car.
Well, it's a bit of a tragedy that my statement might actually be taken seriously. It was meant as a joke.
"For more than 200 years, our country's legal system has refused to recognize 'product libel.' People can maliciously libel a human being and be required to pay damages; but not inanimate products like Corvairs, Pinto fuel tanks, asbestos, the Dalkon Shield, fruits, vegetables and meat products. ... One has only to look back at our history and see how the dissenters of the past -- criticizing tobacco, coal dust, useless over-the-counter drugs and a variety of health-damaging food additives and pesticides -- have been proven right again and again. ... These ranchers know they will not be awarded any money by the time their case is disposed of in Texas or before the higher courts. The main objective of these frivolous lawsuits is not money; it is to send a chilling message to millions of people that if Winfrey can be sued for speaking her mind about not eating hamburgers then they had better keep their opinions to themselves."
-- Ralph Nader
Remember when Oprah got sued by the beef industry for expressing her concerns about the safety of meat? Better watch what you say in public about the products you use. Unless it's gushing, fan-boy enthusiasm, you could have the "product libel" lawyers all over you. So, yes, it's safer to just shut up; don't make any waves. It's one of the small prices we have to pay for freedom in this country.
"You are an old man who thinks in terms of nations and peoples. There are no nations. There are no peoples. There are no Russians. There are no Arabs. There are no third worlds. There is no West. There is only one holistic system of systems, one vast and immane, interwoven, interacting, multivariate, multi-national dominion of dollars. Petro-dollars, electro-dollars, multi-dollars, Reichmarks, rins, rubles, pounds, and shekels.
It is the international system of currency which determines the totality of life on this planet. That is the natural order of things today. That is the atomic and subatomic and galactic structure of things today!"
--Arthur Jensen, played by Ned Beatty, Network, 1976
Good point on the comparison in progress between Linux and Windows since 2000. Never thought of that.