Sponsor's Message

The demand for ITC workers clearly exceeded the supply and even though every kid and his dog was signing up for "web design" and "Java programming" courses, it was going to be some time before they were skilled or experienced enough to be useful.

But now it's 2003 and the dot-com bubble burst more than three years ago.

I wonder how many of those keen young students who thought that their diploma in web-design was going to guarantee them a job and undreamed-of wealth are now flipping burgers.

I know there are a lot of people in the ITC industries who read this column so today I'm asking you how you're finding things in the workplace.

Are jobs harder to come-by?

Do they pay more or less than four years ago?

Has the demand become greater for specialist skills and less for more general ITC workers?

How useful is it to have the Microsoft certification letters after your name?

Would you recommend Internet or computer-related jobs as a career path to students currently mulling their options?

And, if you weren't working in ITC, what would be your chosen career?

One thing I've noticed about computing, and programming in particular, is that it's a young-man's game.

Although I've cut my fair share of code using just about every language from Ada (honest!) to Z80 assembler, I know that age has robbed me of both the physical endurance and mental agility that I'd need to be a whiz-bang code cutter in the 21st century.

For older ITC workers that really only leaves consulting (lend me your watch and I'll tell you the time), management (ugh!) or simply spouting off at the mouth as I do in this and other columns.

So how old is the oldest *competent* programmer you know?

Lots of questions today -- let's see some answers in the forums please.

Lighten-Up
Is it Friday already? Was this a short week or something? Oh no, it's old-age again!

Have you ever wondered whether steam-rollers sleep? Well here's the answer.

Sometimes, when you really want to get the best price for something of immense value, eBay is the best way to sell it. Of course sometimes asking the market to judge the value of your most treasured possession or idea can also be very embarrassing.

Are you ever baffled by the technical documentation that comes with a new product? Well h ere's some very entertaining technical documentation weirdness.

If any Aardvark readers want to share an opinion on today's column or add something, you're invited to chip in and have your say in The Aardvark Forums or, if you prefer, you can contact me directly.

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