Heh actually it was a vocational school (Transportation-Communications Union) but I used a really wrong example. We are always going to carry certain cognitive functions that I, personally, do not believe a computer will ever replace. That is best served by that story. I don't think it addressed what I meant by my post; and that is that the machine will always be managed, in some form or another, by the human, but I tried.
Now, if I am wrong and computers end up taking over control of us, then hopefully Slashdot will be gone by then so no one waves this in front of me and says "I told you so".
OK they can process data - but that is all they do - process data. Even pulling info from data collection devices; we hook them up to the machines or build the machine with the data collector already included. That's what I'm getting at. I think.
OK, my math class "example" may not be exactly fetching; but it was the example that came to mind. And what of the semi-autonomous computers? They are SEMI autonomous. We still maintain them. I really don't believe in a future similar to any android story on "The Outer Limits" or the killers in the "Terminator" movies; because a) we likely will never allow it to get to that point and b) where is the market? I mean, how many of you could afford a robot or would trust one to do any work? And how many dictators out there are going to buy an army of robot warriors? Even the U.S. military controls all of its robots with human operators.
These are just my opinions and thoughts on the matter and I appreciate your dissension and discussion on them.
Just because you can find the code "everywhere else on the web" does not mean you should share the code yourself. I find something like this akin to leaving porn magazines in your yard because the neighborhood kids will find them in the trash bin (or surfing the net - sic) anyway.
It's like "I know how to hang a person - here, let me give you a demonstration." Does sharing the code that can cause the problem allow you to protect yourself against it? Probably not; unless you are out there building tools to protect us - that's right US, including the very experience tech people here - against such attacks.
I don't like the idea of non-disclosure. I want to know if there is a potential that something bad could happen to me or my clients; and that I should start working on or be on the lookout for preventative measures. That's why we have vulnerability lists. In that same hand I believe that Too Much Information is not polite - to the users and the vendor. Here's how you make the gun; oh and here are some bullets. It is almost criminal in its intent - considering the mindset of many today it *is* criminal in its intent - regardless of target.
Very true *L* Yet this is the 21st century; many had hoped that advances in transportation, communications and medicine would have made us a planet without borders by now. Now it seems those advances have only widened the gaps.
I once had an exercise in a business math class where half had calculators and the other had nothing. Calculator users *had* to use the calculator. The teacher then asked simple arithmetic questions - 2x2, 3 minus 1, etc. Of course, the people without calculators could answer first.
The fastest computer in the world will always be limited to how quickly data may be fed to it. One way or another, a human will have to direct this operation - if only for safety and security considerations.
When companies face economic difficulty, a majority of them cut training and trade show attendance. So, if your company paid you to go, you no longer go unless you are the CEO (hey I made a ryhme). If you normally pay out of your own pocket for something like this; you likely can't take the risk that your job will be gone when you come back this year; or your retirement account has tanked so bad that not only working vacations are cancelled so are the regular ones. It's not just the threat of terrorism that has hurt choice vacation spots the past 15 months or so.
I guess I should've added that the manager of said team is very proud that they are moving from a tech support to a call center/forwarding environment despite the programmers they are forwarding to not being too happy about doing tech support; and that NO ONE has left his team since I left over a year ago (until the contract company promoted someone into a job at their home office). It doesn't take a lot of thinking to realize no one has left because there is nowhere to go. I'm still fractionally remorseful that I didn't come back aboard and work my way back up there, but maybe it was for the best.
[AhI'minachattymoodtodaymuststopcaffeineintake]
PAID internship? Good luck. When I was laid off in February, I decided to ask my previous employer to allow me back on the helpdesk if an opening arose (there are 12-14 people and the turnover rate when I left was 1 or 2 every six months or so - after all it was helpdesk). Even though I had not left on bad terms *at all* (at least as far as I knew), I was very smartly informed that I would be in a part time, on-call situation at whatever they felt like paying and would be laid off before any of their four unpaid interns would be left without any work to do - the free college kids were more important apparently. I was still doing some 'on call' sort of work for the folks that laid me off and travelling, so I couldn't go back anyway; but you can imagine in a situation like that I shouldn't have.
It's like that Linux-based software cliche' - "What do you mean it's not free?"
Remember, the only difference between you and a green card holder is that your parents caught an earlier flight or boat.
Unless you are Blackfoot, Cherokee, etc. but that is an entirely different can of worms. I just sigh, shrug my shoulders and mutter "white people" a lot.
I think we Americans take far too much for granted; and few of us appreciate what we have or are willing to work hard for it. Those of us that do are likely to ride out dips like this and hopefully be better off personally and professionally in the long run.
Most people have difficulty believing they are as good as they really are, I've found.
Amen to that. The last 'tech screener' that talked to me asked me why I downplayed my experience and was "so humble" about it. I had too many people mistake my willingness to help and strong work ethic for ego; and now it is difficult to decide when enough is enough - especially when you have to play more cards than your tech experience with 25 other applicants waiting for their turn to interview.
I hate to tell you this; but it is my observation that you may be looking at temping - A LOT - and holding down an additional part time job just to get situated as a recent graduate. I feel this goes for all fields. Unless you can hold yourself to the minimums (used ride, efficiency apartment, outlet store clothes) until you establish yourself; you may be out of luck.
I think one thing going against you is a lot of adults, regardless of their field, are going back to get their first or even second degree and very likely their Masters' because they are either currently unemployed or very worried about the security of their current job. I know that despite my experience I am ready to start night classes and finish my degree; and I'm far closer to 30 than you are.
That's even with a $28 an hour job - specifically because it is a consultant gig and I won't be making $60 thousand this year or next unless I can roll out of this position and right into the next one... and I'm scared that that won't happen. Yeah, scared. You get a bunch of hard working people afraid they aren't going to make it and they start exercising a lot of options to make themselves viable in a tough market.
On the other hand; there have to be a considerable number of IT jobs that aren't just support or "network engineering/administration" and the like. I know a kid that just finished college with his Comp. Sci. major but he focused on chip design and already has a cushy; if not extremely high paying right off the bat job in a clean room. At least his foot is in the door.
Don't count yourself out yet. Check with your [city/county government] employment service and don't forget your college likely has resources and internship provisions for you. My current contract is in a place I didn't think would be likely to have IT employment opportunities.
Last, forget the "TS SCI/Poly required" jobs, unless you go somewhere that indicates on the announcement they will hire you then clear you or clear you before you are officially hired like the State Department - they still need about 100 IT Management Specialists I think, and thanks to my stupidity a few years ago I won't be one of them right now (nothing criminal; just shouldn't have held a grudge after I left [non-classified] civilian government service). The 'you must have current active clearance' jobs are often most suited for military folks that will very likely never get out of a classified work environment - not that they would want to with some of the salaries they will get paid. Then again, maybe four or eight years in the service (with a college degree I don't think Officer School would be that difficult for you to get into) would do you some good and at least guarantee you a roof and meals; and maybe even help pay off your college bills. There's private consulting, government contracting, then defense contracting - and with this Homeland Security business they want everyone to have some clearance or other - odd that the more people cleared to access information the more likely it is that information will not remain secret, but that is another topic for another day.
Take what you want from this comment and leave the rest; but I wish you the best of luck. Keep your chin up and don't take it too hard that there are probably 4 or 5 thousand former Worldcom, Global Crossing and other IT/telecom employees vying for that same job. Sometimes youth works for you not against you.
Alright let me correct a little bit of that - perhaps your celebrity itself hasn't given you inroads to other means of entertainment; that is not my question here. My opinion is your talent and influence has gotten you where you are; and don't want to start a huge Slashdot thread about that or have you answer or defend any part of your career based on how you got there, OK? I just want to know what type of project you've most enjoyed working on...!
Movies, Television; Books or Music?
on
Ask William Shatner
·
· Score: 3, Interesting
I understand that your celebrity has allowed you to do more than just television since that famous show in the 60s; and I freely admit having read or watched quite a bit of it. My wife has even gotten me a lot of audio of "Star Trek Memories" and some other material including the Trek fiction for Christmas; though I know she doesn't want me to realize that quite yet. I like your version of the Iron Chef and while I don't make it a huge fanboy point to grab the latest Shatner imprint; your books and music are well received by me. Maybe I'm not a proper critic or something but I don't care.
In any case, I just want to know what you have liked doing best. Were the films - not just Trek and not just your parodies of yourself in films like "Free Enterprise" (the 'Caesar rap' at the end is a hit at my house) - more fun to do than the television series you have been in? Or has writing or music been better? I can imagine the ravaging crowds of fans (or detractors) at conventions or premiere events being a down side to your career; but I want to know what project you have most enjoyed doing - or even if they are all equally enjoyable from a personal and professional view. Thank you for some great (and some corny) entertainment over the years.
(even if it's powered by a Microsoft OS)
Ooooh, that is bound to get you seriously scorched in here. I feel the same way about the PocketPCs being overpriced - I would much rather buy a full-size computer than spend $400-500 on one of those devices. I feel that Palm definitely tries to fill a "PIM only" type of market, even with their higher-end devices.
If the prices were better, I'd definitely pick up a higher end - PocketPC, Clie, etc. etc. but in the meantime I'll stick with a base model (like the m105 I have right now). On the other hand, I'd probably waste too much time on a higher-end gadget and start getting smacked for not paying attention at auctions, etc. - much like I do now even with the lower-end device (thanks to Acrobat Reader for Palm OS!)
No, it does not - or I'd be Microsoft-bashing just like the rest of you.
I am of the personal opinion that if you go into something just for the money; then when the money is gone you will be gone and onto the next money-maker -- like pyramid schemes or something. Like I said; some of my contemporaries are ready to sell cars - more power to them to.
Offtopic, but you made me chuckle. *They've* got them thinking that the disgenderment of titles is a way to promote equality - power and all that. I'm a little more traditional; but don't knock anyone for calling themselves what they wish. Consulting where I cannot find a real, steady job; they don't even give you cards or contact numbers when they print you your business cards anymore.
You're exactly right. I got into a discussion the other day with a couple of friends - one a techie, and one a marketing assistant - with a very similar tone. Of course, I remembered the thread here about unions and speculated that as tech workers, we have little bargaining power - and far far less when there are four thousand or more ex-Worldcom/dotcom employees ready to kick you in the head to get the interview before you.
I don't know what is in place to keep us sane and productive until a real recovery, except maybe our own personal drive and faith (not necessarily religion). I've relied on it before and haven't stopped because of the 'sweat shop' mentality prevalent in today's business world. Then again, many of the articles I read at the height of the "boom" noted that people *were* working 12-14 hour days - they just had perks and pay to award them. As you said, that is all gone now.
I've been running into a lot of people that work very hard to make sure they remain one of the fewer workers. Two years ago this extra work would have gotten them an 11% bonus; now it helps keep them visible to upper management so they stay their course.
On the other hand; I've encountered a couple [desktop support types] that say if they are laid off again; or can't find a consulting job as close to home as the current one, they are headed for the car dealer lot.
I say hurray; let them go. If you chose this field just for the money; then I hope you are one of those sniveling post-dot-com brats serving drinks at your old college pub for lack of better employment. If you are here because this is what you chose to do for a living, and enjoy it, then more power to you. I know a lot of folks like us (and apparently Carmela Soprano) are suffering from what Wired calls "post-bubble syndrome", but I have a strong feeling that this is like any market - it may just have hit us far harder since it may cost more to maintain a minimum lifestyle.
If you had a good work ethic prior to this; then you will remain employed or make it back to work at some point very soon. This is little consolation to those who [like me] were or are unemployed for eight months or more; but you just need to keep looking. Granted, you may make half of what you made before but aren't you innovative enough to survive for a time? Like one of these posters said if the employers get into the "you are nothing but cattle" mode you'll be in a position to leave without notice when things level off or improve. I have a feeling that some of the turnover, salary and demand issues that prompted part of the 'good times' were a result of this kind of treatment in the first place.
I think a barcode reader might be very efficient not in the front, but in the back. Which of my sites got all 30 cases of steak sauce; so I can get 23-27 of them to other locations?
a lot of what I think you would be concerned about is the back end databases more than the front end. I am just guessing because I don't do retail/restaurant/inventory and the like but you'd want your POS system to help plan individual restaurant inventories; determine trends in what people are ordering; as well as track activity in each site such as the individual orders, cash transactions, server logins (Jenny, Joe, Jill or Jerod don't all just toss money into the box they mark who did what so the store manager can adjust how many tables each is assigned to, etc.) You'll want to either order off the shelf or baseline and complete development of a database or restaurant management software for that, I would think.
After that your front-end - whatever the hosts/esses and servers (my sis-in-law waits tables and nearly drowned me in my sink for calling her a waitress) could be just about any client OS that can connect to your central system. I would assume a stripped-down version of anything, including Linux, could be used at that point because all they need is terminal utilities for orders, credit card processing, and the like.
By the way, could you share with us how you landed a job like this? Or at least me [at adelphia dot net or hotmail dot com, makes no difference]? It sounds pretty interesting and a strong example of technology for work improvement's sake, not just to put shiny new boxes on the admin staff's desk.
they might not necessarily be silicon, though... we're already delving into electronic repair if not outright augmentation; as well as genetic work and whatnot [though apparently things like test-tube babies can be very risky for the resulting child according to NPR this morning and shows just how little we know about these intricate things].
However, if this does pan out, it will probably help with the radiation issues they are currently having aboard the ISS. I would like to see lightweight fabrics, and other lightweight materials for that matter, become more prevalent in the future - as long as they are durable and protective! This is one important way we will be able to increase fuel efficiencies and with any luck see long-range space travel in our kids' lifetime.
Hey thanks for this post! I have not done an in-depth look but had identified Kennedy-Western, Capella, Excelsior and Phoenix for starters. A couple colleges local to me offer some online courses but you have to finish your studies in traditional classrooms and the couple online ones I have read actually involve a visit or three to class with the remaining work online.
but from what research I've done, Phoenix *is* a brick and mortar university that happens to have extended their classrooms to online classes.
If you have practical, hands-on work experience and if you, like me, do not have the capability due to work schedule (boss's unwillingness to let you flex your schedule to take a class also fits in here) or your location on this planet; online coursework is the best way to do this. It is my observation that the very fact that you have taken the time to get an advanced education often outweighs the name or nature of the school you got the degree from. Even 'traditional' schools are offering online coursework; and it is observation that many businesses recognize this and accept anything accredited. I do believe if you get your diploma from a 'degree mill', you'll suffer for it soon enough when people realize you don't have the knowledge you claimed you had -- but there is nothing wrong with obtaining an education online.
A considerable number of companies provide most of their training online now through video, CBT or web-based live demonstrations and tutorials. A certain government facility's yearly security awareness brief is not provided online. Another company's GMP and Documentation Standards courses; as well as all the requisite exams following the courses; are all provided in an automated system.
Slashdot Mirror
Heh actually it was a vocational school (Transportation-Communications Union) but I used a really wrong example. We are always going to carry certain cognitive functions that I, personally, do not believe a computer will ever replace. That is best served by that story. I don't think it addressed what I meant by my post; and that is that the machine will always be managed, in some form or another, by the human, but I tried.
Now, if I am wrong and computers end up taking over control of us, then hopefully Slashdot will be gone by then so no one waves this in front of me and says "I told you so".
OK they can process data - but that is all they do - process data. Even pulling info from data collection devices; we hook them up to the machines or build the machine with the data collector already included. That's what I'm getting at. I think.
OK, my math class "example" may not be exactly fetching; but it was the example that came to mind. And what of the semi-autonomous computers? They are SEMI autonomous. We still maintain them. I really don't believe in a future similar to any android story on "The Outer Limits" or the killers in the "Terminator" movies; because a) we likely will never allow it to get to that point and b) where is the market? I mean, how many of you could afford a robot or would trust one to do any work? And how many dictators out there are going to buy an army of robot warriors? Even the U.S. military controls all of its robots with human operators.
These are just my opinions and thoughts on the matter and I appreciate your dissension and discussion on them.
Just because you can find the code "everywhere else on the web" does not mean you should share the code yourself. I find something like this akin to leaving porn magazines in your yard because the neighborhood kids will find them in the trash bin (or surfing the net - sic) anyway.
It's like "I know how to hang a person - here, let me give you a demonstration." Does sharing the code that can cause the problem allow you to protect yourself against it? Probably not; unless you are out there building tools to protect us - that's right US, including the very experience tech people here - against such attacks.
I don't like the idea of non-disclosure. I want to know if there is a potential that something bad could happen to me or my clients; and that I should start working on or be on the lookout for preventative measures. That's why we have vulnerability lists. In that same hand I believe that Too Much Information is not polite - to the users and the vendor. Here's how you make the gun; oh and here are some bullets. It is almost criminal in its intent - considering the mindset of many today it *is* criminal in its intent - regardless of target.
Very true *L* Yet this is the 21st century; many had hoped that advances in transportation, communications and medicine would have made us a planet without borders by now. Now it seems those advances have only widened the gaps.
I once had an exercise in a business math class where half had calculators and the other had nothing. Calculator users *had* to use the calculator. The teacher then asked simple arithmetic questions - 2x2, 3 minus 1, etc. Of course, the people without calculators could answer first.
The fastest computer in the world will always be limited to how quickly data may be fed to it. One way or another, a human will have to direct this operation - if only for safety and security considerations.
When companies face economic difficulty, a majority of them cut training and trade show attendance. So, if your company paid you to go, you no longer go unless you are the CEO (hey I made a ryhme). If you normally pay out of your own pocket for something like this; you likely can't take the risk that your job will be gone when you come back this year; or your retirement account has tanked so bad that not only working vacations are cancelled so are the regular ones. It's not just the threat of terrorism that has hurt choice vacation spots the past 15 months or so.
I guess I should've added that the manager of said team is very proud that they are moving from a tech support to a call center/forwarding environment despite the programmers they are forwarding to not being too happy about doing tech support; and that NO ONE has left his team since I left over a year ago (until the contract company promoted someone into a job at their home office). It doesn't take a lot of thinking to realize no one has left because there is nowhere to go. I'm still fractionally remorseful that I didn't come back aboard and work my way back up there, but maybe it was for the best. [AhI'minachattymoodtodaymuststopcaffeineintake]
PAID internship? Good luck. When I was laid off in February, I decided to ask my previous employer to allow me back on the helpdesk if an opening arose (there are 12-14 people and the turnover rate when I left was 1 or 2 every six months or so - after all it was helpdesk). Even though I had not left on bad terms *at all* (at least as far as I knew), I was very smartly informed that I would be in a part time, on-call situation at whatever they felt like paying and would be laid off before any of their four unpaid interns would be left without any work to do - the free college kids were more important apparently. I was still doing some 'on call' sort of work for the folks that laid me off and travelling, so I couldn't go back anyway; but you can imagine in a situation like that I shouldn't have.
It's like that Linux-based software cliche' - "What do you mean it's not free?"
Remember, the only difference between you and a green card holder is that your parents caught an earlier flight or boat.
Unless you are Blackfoot, Cherokee, etc. but that is an entirely different can of worms. I just sigh, shrug my shoulders and mutter "white people" a lot.
I think we Americans take far too much for granted; and few of us appreciate what we have or are willing to work hard for it. Those of us that do are likely to ride out dips like this and hopefully be better off personally and professionally in the long run.
Most people have difficulty believing they are as good as they really are, I've found.
Amen to that. The last 'tech screener' that talked to me asked me why I downplayed my experience and was "so humble" about it. I had too many people mistake my willingness to help and strong work ethic for ego; and now it is difficult to decide when enough is enough - especially when you have to play more cards than your tech experience with 25 other applicants waiting for their turn to interview.
I hate to tell you this; but it is my observation that you may be looking at temping - A LOT - and holding down an additional part time job just to get situated as a recent graduate. I feel this goes for all fields. Unless you can hold yourself to the minimums (used ride, efficiency apartment, outlet store clothes) until you establish yourself; you may be out of luck.
I think one thing going against you is a lot of adults, regardless of their field, are going back to get their first or even second degree and very likely their Masters' because they are either currently unemployed or very worried about the security of their current job. I know that despite my experience I am ready to start night classes and finish my degree; and I'm far closer to 30 than you are.
That's even with a $28 an hour job - specifically because it is a consultant gig and I won't be making $60 thousand this year or next unless I can roll out of this position and right into the next one... and I'm scared that that won't happen. Yeah, scared. You get a bunch of hard working people afraid they aren't going to make it and they start exercising a lot of options to make themselves viable in a tough market.
On the other hand; there have to be a considerable number of IT jobs that aren't just support or "network engineering/administration" and the like. I know a kid that just finished college with his Comp. Sci. major but he focused on chip design and already has a cushy; if not extremely high paying right off the bat job in a clean room. At least his foot is in the door.
Don't count yourself out yet. Check with your [city/county government] employment service and don't forget your college likely has resources and internship provisions for you. My current contract is in a place I didn't think would be likely to have IT employment opportunities.
Last, forget the "TS SCI/Poly required" jobs, unless you go somewhere that indicates on the announcement they will hire you then clear you or clear you before you are officially hired like the State Department - they still need about 100 IT Management Specialists I think, and thanks to my stupidity a few years ago I won't be one of them right now (nothing criminal; just shouldn't have held a grudge after I left [non-classified] civilian government service). The 'you must have current active clearance' jobs are often most suited for military folks that will very likely never get out of a classified work environment - not that they would want to with some of the salaries they will get paid. Then again, maybe four or eight years in the service (with a college degree I don't think Officer School would be that difficult for you to get into) would do you some good and at least guarantee you a roof and meals; and maybe even help pay off your college bills. There's private consulting, government contracting, then defense contracting - and with this Homeland Security business they want everyone to have some clearance or other - odd that the more people cleared to access information the more likely it is that information will not remain secret, but that is another topic for another day.
Take what you want from this comment and leave the rest; but I wish you the best of luck. Keep your chin up and don't take it too hard that there are probably 4 or 5 thousand former Worldcom, Global Crossing and other IT/telecom employees vying for that same job. Sometimes youth works for you not against you.
Alright let me correct a little bit of that - perhaps your celebrity itself hasn't given you inroads to other means of entertainment; that is not my question here. My opinion is your talent and influence has gotten you where you are; and don't want to start a huge Slashdot thread about that or have you answer or defend any part of your career based on how you got there, OK? I just want to know what type of project you've most enjoyed working on...!
I understand that your celebrity has allowed you to do more than just television since that famous show in the 60s; and I freely admit having read or watched quite a bit of it. My wife has even gotten me a lot of audio of "Star Trek Memories" and some other material including the Trek fiction for Christmas; though I know she doesn't want me to realize that quite yet. I like your version of the Iron Chef and while I don't make it a huge fanboy point to grab the latest Shatner imprint; your books and music are well received by me. Maybe I'm not a proper critic or something but I don't care.
In any case, I just want to know what you have liked doing best. Were the films - not just Trek and not just your parodies of yourself in films like "Free Enterprise" (the 'Caesar rap' at the end is a hit at my house) - more fun to do than the television series you have been in? Or has writing or music been better? I can imagine the ravaging crowds of fans (or detractors) at conventions or premiere events being a down side to your career; but I want to know what project you have most enjoyed doing - or even if they are all equally enjoyable from a personal and professional view. Thank you for some great (and some corny) entertainment over the years.
(even if it's powered by a Microsoft OS) Ooooh, that is bound to get you seriously scorched in here. I feel the same way about the PocketPCs being overpriced - I would much rather buy a full-size computer than spend $400-500 on one of those devices. I feel that Palm definitely tries to fill a "PIM only" type of market, even with their higher-end devices.
If the prices were better, I'd definitely pick up a higher end - PocketPC, Clie, etc. etc. but in the meantime I'll stick with a base model (like the m105 I have right now). On the other hand, I'd probably waste too much time on a higher-end gadget and start getting smacked for not paying attention at auctions, etc. - much like I do now even with the lower-end device (thanks to Acrobat Reader for Palm OS!)
No, it does not - or I'd be Microsoft-bashing just like the rest of you .
I am of the personal opinion that if you go into something just for the money; then when the money is gone you will be gone and onto the next money-maker -- like pyramid schemes or something. Like I said; some of my contemporaries are ready to sell cars - more power to them to.
Offtopic, but you made me chuckle. *They've* got them thinking that the disgenderment of titles is a way to promote equality - power and all that. I'm a little more traditional; but don't knock anyone for calling themselves what they wish. Consulting where I cannot find a real, steady job; they don't even give you cards or contact numbers when they print you your business cards anymore.
You're exactly right. I got into a discussion the other day with a couple of friends - one a techie, and one a marketing assistant - with a very similar tone. Of course, I remembered the thread here about unions and speculated that as tech workers, we have little bargaining power - and far far less when there are four thousand or more ex-Worldcom/dotcom employees ready to kick you in the head to get the interview before you.
I don't know what is in place to keep us sane and productive until a real recovery, except maybe our own personal drive and faith (not necessarily religion). I've relied on it before and haven't stopped because of the 'sweat shop' mentality prevalent in today's business world. Then again, many of the articles I read at the height of the "boom" noted that people *were* working 12-14 hour days - they just had perks and pay to award them. As you said, that is all gone now.
I've been running into a lot of people that work very hard to make sure they remain one of the fewer workers. Two years ago this extra work would have gotten them an 11% bonus; now it helps keep them visible to upper management so they stay their course.
On the other hand; I've encountered a couple [desktop support types] that say if they are laid off again; or can't find a consulting job as close to home as the current one, they are headed for the car dealer lot.
I say hurray; let them go. If you chose this field just for the money; then I hope you are one of those sniveling post-dot-com brats serving drinks at your old college pub for lack of better employment. If you are here because this is what you chose to do for a living, and enjoy it, then more power to you. I know a lot of folks like us (and apparently Carmela Soprano) are suffering from what Wired calls "post-bubble syndrome", but I have a strong feeling that this is like any market - it may just have hit us far harder since it may cost more to maintain a minimum lifestyle.
If you had a good work ethic prior to this; then you will remain employed or make it back to work at some point very soon. This is little consolation to those who [like me] were or are unemployed for eight months or more; but you just need to keep looking. Granted, you may make half of what you made before but aren't you innovative enough to survive for a time? Like one of these posters said if the employers get into the "you are nothing but cattle" mode you'll be in a position to leave without notice when things level off or improve. I have a feeling that some of the turnover, salary and demand issues that prompted part of the 'good times' were a result of this kind of treatment in the first place.
I think a barcode reader might be very efficient not in the front, but in the back. Which of my sites got all 30 cases of steak sauce; so I can get 23-27 of them to other locations?
a lot of what I think you would be concerned about is the back end databases more than the front end. I am just guessing because I don't do retail/restaurant/inventory and the like but you'd want your POS system to help plan individual restaurant inventories; determine trends in what people are ordering; as well as track activity in each site such as the individual orders, cash transactions, server logins (Jenny, Joe, Jill or Jerod don't all just toss money into the box they mark who did what so the store manager can adjust how many tables each is assigned to, etc.) You'll want to either order off the shelf or baseline and complete development of a database or restaurant management software for that, I would think.
After that your front-end - whatever the hosts/esses and servers (my sis-in-law waits tables and nearly drowned me in my sink for calling her a waitress) could be just about any client OS that can connect to your central system. I would assume a stripped-down version of anything, including Linux, could be used at that point because all they need is terminal utilities for orders, credit card processing, and the like.
By the way, could you share with us how you landed a job like this? Or at least me [at adelphia dot net or hotmail dot com, makes no difference]? It sounds pretty interesting and a strong example of technology for work improvement's sake, not just to put shiny new boxes on the admin staff's desk.
they might not necessarily be silicon, though... we're already delving into electronic repair if not outright augmentation; as well as genetic work and whatnot [though apparently things like test-tube babies can be very risky for the resulting child according to NPR this morning and shows just how little we know about these intricate things].
However, if this does pan out, it will probably help with the radiation issues they are currently having aboard the ISS. I would like to see lightweight fabrics, and other lightweight materials for that matter, become more prevalent in the future - as long as they are durable and protective! This is one important way we will be able to increase fuel efficiencies and with any luck see long-range space travel in our kids' lifetime.
Hey thanks for this post! I have not done an in-depth look but had identified Kennedy-Western, Capella, Excelsior and Phoenix for starters. A couple colleges local to me offer some online courses but you have to finish your studies in traditional classrooms and the couple online ones I have read actually involve a visit or three to class with the remaining work online.
but from what research I've done, Phoenix *is* a brick and mortar university that happens to have extended their classrooms to online classes.
If you have practical, hands-on work experience and if you, like me, do not have the capability due to work schedule (boss's unwillingness to let you flex your schedule to take a class also fits in here) or your location on this planet; online coursework is the best way to do this. It is my observation that the very fact that you have taken the time to get an advanced education often outweighs the name or nature of the school you got the degree from. Even 'traditional' schools are offering online coursework; and it is observation that many businesses recognize this and accept anything accredited. I do believe if you get your diploma from a 'degree mill', you'll suffer for it soon enough when people realize you don't have the knowledge you claimed you had -- but there is nothing wrong with obtaining an education online.
A considerable number of companies provide most of their training online now through video, CBT or web-based live demonstrations and tutorials. A certain government facility's yearly security awareness brief is not provided online. Another company's GMP and Documentation Standards courses; as well as all the requisite exams following the courses; are all provided in an automated system.