July, 2008

Cuil Search Soars and Tanks

Overheard in the tech blogsphere has a great summation of the CUIL experience. I tried my favorite technique - searching my name and online handles on Cuil. The results were less than stellar. Sure, I got plenty of sites that don’t appear on Google’s list but the quality was poor. All I learned is that there’s a 24 year old woman in the UK who uses the same handle I do. It never even found the MySpace page that shares my handle, either.

I couldn’t help myself today when jumping on the Cuil bashing bandwagon. They really have a lot further to go to compete with Google. I do wish them all the luck in the world, and maybe some prayer wouldn’t hurt, either.

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InfoWorld Programming IQ Test in 20 Questions

I love quick internet quizzes! The InfoWorld Programming IQ Test has just the right mix of humor and content to break the monotony of your day. It’s a breath of fresh air that lets you know where you stand in the vast landscape of programming.

Let me know how you did in the comment section below!

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Tax Preparation for Freelance IT Consultants

Overheard in the tech blogosphere highlights how even spammers have to pay taxes. So that means any freelance or on-the-side consulting we tech folks do is taxable, too. But how do you report this income, anyway? How will the government find out I didn’t claim it? I’m not a US citizen so how do I pay taxes? Why does it seem I’m always earning less?

I can’t reflect on your earning power, but I can lead you down the road to transparent income reporting. If you haven’t figured out why you want to come clean with the IRS just consider the 47 month jail term spammer Robert Soloway will be serving in addition to fines and restitution.

But how do you report this income, anyway?

Fortunately the IRS has a guide to finding your Tax Trail.

How will the government find out I didn’t claim it?

1) An individual, like that coworker who seems to hate you, could catch wind of your freelancing and report you to the IRS just for spite. 2) The clients you freelance for could make a mistake when reporting employee earnings by listing you as one of them. HINT: Ask questions about the client’s use of your SSN or ITIN if they request it. 3) I admit I’m not a tax fraud expert. There are plenty of other ways to get caught that I’m not even aware of.

I’m not a US citizen so how do I pay taxes?

Citizenship has nothing to do with paying taxes in the United States. If you work here you pay taxes on your income. In most cases non-citizens are eligible for a Social Security Number or SSN to be used when filing a tax return. Not eligible for a SSN? Non-citizens can get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number instead.

Take the time to educate yourself on how income tax law affects you. It may not be exciting, but neither is a stack of fines and possible federal prison stay. If this post leaves you with more tax questions consider calling a local Certified Public Accountant or CPA. Most will be happy to answer your questions at no charge.

Please feel free to add your insight and comments about income tax and IT work below.

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Computer Vision Sydrome

How much time do you spend in front of computer screens? Do your eyes get dry or tired? Do you ever get headaches? Have you ever thought you might need new glasses?

In a recent search for new monitor settings to reduce my eye strain I found some great resources. Lifehack offers a great list of solutions for reducing the effects of Computer Vision Syndrome. For those of us who prefer specialist sources All About Vision has an excellent list of 10 Steps for Relief. I’ve tried increasing the refresh rate and adjusting the contrast on my monitor, yawning to hydrate my eyes, and experimenting with different desk positions for my screen. (It currently sits on an outdated software package that boosts it about 3 inches or 8 cms.) If these methods don’t help I may consider getting computer glasses just for work. Since I spend 100% of my time in front of the screen it would be worth the estimated $300 investment.

I hope these tips help you cope with the nature of computer work and its effects on the eyes. Usually when I say something is “easy on the eyes” I mean its beautiful. Let’s hope your computer screen becomes a thing of beauty soon!

Please let me know what health concerns you have at work by responding in a comment.
Your input is greatly valued!

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Beta Testing an MMO - A Geek’s Heaven?

Is beta testing an MMPORG your idea of fun? I have to confess, this is the first time I have signed up to beta test a game and I don’t know if I’ll actually be invited. However, I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to do some testing on a different kind of software.

The software I develop in my day job is an enterprise level AutoCad drawing tool that integrates the product catalog. Most of the testing I do involves the data behind the application. When I get an error message I know how to read it and find the spot that needs fixing. To test an unfamiliar application is an exciting proposition.

The first time I did a beta test was for AOL Instant Messenger’s Buddy program. The AI program responded to various queries like, “How is the weather?” and “How are you?” It was over a decade ago so I’m a bit fuzzy on the overall experience and results. Since then I’ve been on the support side of beta testing for a software company. When I add up all my experience with testing software I feel I come up terribly short. Hopefully, an engaging game beta release will help me hone my skills and have fun doing it.

Do you have any fun or novel ways to improve on your skill set? Please share them in a comment below.

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My Project is Like My Baby

Paul Venezia of InfoWorld spoke with an inside source to learn possible motivation for network engineer Terry Childs’ sabotage of the San Francisco’s FiberWAN network. It’s a six screen article I recommend reading. The heart of the matter seems to be how IT professionals view their work.

IT professionals spend a profound amount of time dealing with intangibles. When a project is finished there is seldom much of a physical entity that truly represents all the work necessary to create it. IT projects are much like children. We spend hours, days, weeks, and sometimes years on their design, development and maintenance. They occupy our attention even when away from work. Proud parents can point to their child’s performance as a result of years of hard work and perseverance like many celebrate an IT triumph. An uninvolved observer will never truly feel the same way about that child or project.

I know the years of experience, study, and sheer power of will it takes to make a great IT professional. It is no wonder to me that we feel so attached to our projects. So much goes into my work I can’t help but be proud of the final product as if it was an extension of myself.

Do you have a past, present, or future project you consider to be your baby? Share your experiences in the comment box below.

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Boost Your Resume with a New Credential - Notary Public

In a recent blog post Toni Bowers cited several reports indicating that IT staff jobs will drop in number come 2009. In addition to brushing up on your tech skills consider this overlooked credential that could boost your value to a future employer. Several business documents need to be notarized and you will be in the position to save your employer time and money by providing this service.

A Notary Public in the United States serves as an impartial witness to the signing of documents and oaths. Based on state of residence, certain requirements must be met to earn a commission as a Notary Public. To earn my notary I had to obtain a $7500 bond and file paperwork with the State of Arkansas proving my eligibility. Some states require passing an examination.

So what does a notary public do, exactly? I sign and affix my seal to documents as a statement that I have confirmed the identity of the signatory who consents to the transaction knowingly and willingly. That’s it. (Notaries are forbidden to give legal advice in the US unless they possess a law license.) Documents I have verified range from photocopies, medical information release forms, Durable Power of Attorney, service contracts, and property claim forms.

Though the process of getting my notary public was deceptively easy I have learned just what this designation says about my character. I have made a commitment to honesty and integrity, and if you don’t believe me, the $7500 bond stands against my committing fraud. Notary Public appears on my resume and I can use this designation on business cards. The impression given is that I am one the State trusts with confirming legal documents. Please infer that you can trust me with your business, as well.

Becoming a Notary Public is a clever way to distinguish yourself among others and will speak volumes about your integrity. It is a relatively inexpensive credential to pad a resume with (Total Cost $120 = Surety Bond $100 + Filing Fee $20), at the least, and an honored tradition of civilization, at the most. During my service I have given parents the legal right to care for their adult children when incapacitated and helped friends claim lost property. There’s also no rule against me notarizing your oath to faithfully serve the Federation of Planets from Star Trek. Feel free to leave me a comment and we’ll be in touch!

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Spread Some Geek Love with QR Codes

Do you know what this is? I’ve seen it once or twice on a web page. It looks like some kind of bar code, but more pixelated. Besides, what is a bar code doing on a web page? I remember the little bar code scanner I got free so long ago. Apparently, it was an invention before its time because now bar codes can be scanned with mobile phone cameras. This is precisely where my boxy bar code comes into the picture.

This is a QR Code, for Quick Response Code, and if you have the right phone you can get the reader here. Though most codes can be found in Japan you can start using this ultra-geek format now.

Personally, I’ve never been on the cutting edge with my own gadgets, or on top of the latest trends. This QR Code thing looks like my chance to be one of the “Cool Kids” before it goes mainstream across the world!

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Writing for Business

There’s a little corner of ITKE that holds a treasure trove we all need a piece of. Writing for Business is full of hints and tips to help navigate common pitfalls in writing the English language. For some, its advice may seem too particular to heed in light of code reviews and looming deadlines. However, it’s always the details that make the difference in any project, especially your written word.

I use Freecycle to pass on things that still have usefulness. When deciding who gets an item it is often the quality of their writing that stands out. When my first choice failed to pick up a storm door I let the second folks have it. Was I ever embarrassed to find out they weren’t native speakers of English. In light of that, their post was great.

These days I’m much more sensitive to the difference in writing skills we all have, but not all people will be so understanding. So take a moment to brush up. You may just save someone a very false impression of yourself.

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Worry About Your Good Name and Reputation

Yes, I Google myself, and according to Katherine Spencer Lee of Robert Half Technology I should be digging even deeper. There is one thing I recommend beyond Ms. Lee’s - look up your online handle or pseudonym on a search engine. Chances are there will be a lot of content you never thought about. Since my handle is connected to business transactions on eBay and Etsy.com I like to make sure I know who else shares my name. So far only social networking sites have someone using the same handle I do. I’m not worried because I don’t use them.

So take another look at yourself in the monitor to make sure people get the right image. It’s easy to fix mistakes, but it’s hard to pick up the pieces once someone gets the wrong impression.

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