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User: catherder_finleyd

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  1. Vote Democrat on U.S. IT jobs Down 400K Since 2001 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Vote Democrat (Kerry). A Democrat will listen to Labor!

  2. Re:This should serve as a warning to US lawmakers on China: the New Advanced Technology Research Hotbed · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Actually it should serve to make US lawmakers ask hard questions about US Companies "Offshoring" R&D to China. China is a major long-term security threat to the US. Giving them a major economic-techbological base "hands them the rope they'll use to hang us!".

  3. Re:Good for nothing? on Wheat Field Wi-Fi · · Score: 1

    1. According to studies, discussions of the offshoring trend, while the wages might be lower by a factor of 10, the actual cost differential is a lot less (around 10 - 50%). While some costs may still exist for rural US (broadband access, being remote from customer), other costs (culture, data security(*)) will be a lot less if the outourcing is domestic USA.

    2. Rural IT could be located in a number of places. Most of it would probably be located in smaller towns / cities in rural regions. I know that my state, Virginia, and other states are actively trying to get IT oriented businesses to locate in rural areas.

    * - In the US, you can get the FBI on the case. In India, you might not be able to get anyone (without offering a bribe!).

  4. Re:Good for nothing? on Wheat Field Wi-Fi · · Score: 5, Informative

    Actually, rural highspeed broadband is good for a number of things:

    1. Farmers are bigger "international businessman" than you might think. As such, cheap high-speed broadband is another tool they can use to expand US farm exports!

    2. Rural areas tend to have a lot cheaper cost of living. Rural broadband can make it possible for IT jobs that might otherwise go to India/China to instead move to rural USA. That can save or even expand American IT jobs. Not to mention provide better quality of life!

  5. Re:Another hitch on A Flying Leap for Cars? · · Score: 1

    You can probably build in an automatic "take-over" mode, where the Police can take over control of your flying car. In such a case, any pursuit will end very quickly.

    More broadly, I would expect Police and Emergency personnel to be early adopters of such air vehicles, especially if they were cheaper to acquire / run than Helicopters.

  6. Java Jobs and Cool on Why is Java Considered Un-Cool? · · Score: 1

    One major aspect of "Cool" not discussed yet is how Java may enhance one's paycheck. In the past, a number of "skills du jour" have motivated employers to provide higher pay to those having those skills.

    Unfortunately, Java is probably not "Cool" anymore on this score. When I read the Sys-Con article, I noticed advertisements for $10/Hour Java Coders. Java is definitely not a "cool skill", at least in money terms.

  7. As a parent on Nintendo Patents Online Console Gaming · · Score: 1

    I can tell you that they are LOSING the kid's game market, largely due to the fact they LAG behind in online gaming!

  8. Your defenders may be on Food Stamps!! on Education Via Video Games · · Score: 1

    One thing I've noticed living in the Washington DC area for some time has been the number of Military who have to use food stamps. Considering the high living expenses of the DC area, it can be hard for a married Enlisted family to make ends meet.

  9. Re:IT needs professional licensing! on Tech Employment Drops Sharply In 2004 · · Score: 1

    If you check out your friends you got degrees in Civil or Electrical Engineering, you'll find out that many did not think that a degree was enough. They got PE licenses. Unlike an MS certification, they are recognized and chartered by the State.

  10. IT needs professional licensing! on Tech Employment Drops Sharply In 2004 · · Score: 1

    In many states, if you want to do someone's nails, be a plumber, or even sell insurance, you are required to get a professional license. We IT-professionals need the same!

  11. We should welcome this on Licensing Computer Techs As TV Repairmen · · Score: 1

    We Computer Professionals should welcome and encourage / expand this trend. As our profession becomes more key to health and safety, our society will want to be sure Computer Pros know what they are doing. Further, Government licensing can be a POWERFUL way to fight offshoring. That programmer in Bangalore is unlikely to be licensed to program in Louisiana!

  12. Re:You're all blaming the wrong person on An Insider's View of Software Patents · · Score: 1

    Actually, it's usually done to ensure that a failure of the Corporation does not cause the owner(s) to lose their homes (limited liability).

  13. Swedes have more leisure time on Swedes Dominate Counter-Strike Championship · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I wonder how much of this may be due to the Swedes (and other Europeans) having more leisure time. In Sweden, they get a mandated 32 days of vacation a year, as part of their Social Democratic welfare state. In the USA, there is NO mandated vacation. Often you are lucky to get your 2 weeks. For us techies, it may also be problematic whether we get to use it!

  14. Re:Malaysia is OSS free-loader on Malaysian Government Prefers Open Code · · Score: 1

    Malaysia will just find out the hard way that private forks are expensive to maintain.

    Not so expensive if one of your goals is to Control your citizenry via embedded hooks in the code!

  15. Re:Difference between this and full version on Microsoft Launches Visual Studio Express, VS 2005 Beta · · Score: 1

    Actually, as those things go, the full version Visual Studio is not all that expensive. For example, Microsoft's price for the highest-end version, "Visual Studio Enterprise Architect" is $2499.00. For $300 more ($2799) you can get "MSDN Universal" which has almost "everything" Microsoft makes. Borland's JBuilder X Enterprise is priced at $3500.

    If you don't want to pay so much, you can look around online and find some very good bargains. "MSDN Universal" can be found for around $1000 - 1500, or $700 - 900 for academic users.

  16. Re:To summarize... on Report From "Get The Facts" · · Score: 1

    I am not sure about "every" OSS tool, but I have found the tools available for Developers to be lacking in the OSS world, compared to the MS Windows world.

  17. Re:The Rural Community is scorned on Broadband Usage Up 42% In The U.S. In 2003 · · Score: 1

    Community services, such as Utah's UTOPIA. Unfortunately, the telephone companies are attempting push legislation through to ban it. I encourage Utah /.'ers to write their state representatives and make their opinions known. Further, we should write our Federal Congresscritters and encourage legislation friendly to community broadband.

  18. Korea on Broadband Usage Up 42% In The U.S. In 2003 · · Score: 1

    You're probably thinking of Korea:

    http://www.chiefexecutive.net/depts/technology/1 97 a.htm

    Broadband speeds there average around 4 times what Comcast is offering.

  19. Tax Deductible on Alienware Discuss New Video Array Technology For Gamers · · Score: 1

    If you are a US Computer Consultant, you can argue that your Alienware machine is what you need to develop and demo software for your clients. That can save you a fair amount come income tax time.

  20. Re:Yeah, but... on The Future of SysAdmins' Positions · · Score: 1

    1. Hope it's ok with your building code. They tend to look down on "non-standard" materials.

    2. In many areas, the house itself is the cheap part of acquiring a home. It is the property that's expensive!

  21. Re:This shouldn't come as a surprise.... on China Developing own Standards · · Score: 1

    The USA has for decades played hardball in international trade.

    You should ask the textile workers and other manufacturing workers about that. While you are at it, also ask IT workers you've seen their jobs go .

  22. Re:Nuclear is also a limited resource. on Creator of the Gaia Hypothesis Urges Nuclear Power · · Score: 2, Informative

    >> Will U.S. invade Africa to take control of the Uranium mines ?

    No need. The USA has more than sufficient Uranium in the USA.

  23. Re:Some ranting. on Creator of the Gaia Hypothesis Urges Nuclear Power · · Score: 2, Insightful

    One major solution to "what to do with the fuel rods" is to recycle them. The French and others are doing this now.

  24. Philosophy also good on Math And The Computer Science Major · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I have found that Philosophy, especially Logic, is also very applicable to Computer Science. It has been especially useful in relational database design and development.

  25. Government Work on Moving Up the IT Ladder in a Poor Economy? · · Score: 1

    I would recommend working for the Government, either direct or as a Contractor. The demand for government IT is going up, and the number of good IT people is either static or falling. If you can get a security clearance, that is a big plus.