IBM Residencies to Cure Jobless Woes

Are you in between jobs and looking for something to enrich your resume? Try one of IBM Redbooks Residencies where you are part of the team creating these valuable resources. Travel and lodging is paid for so all you’re out is your time. It’s a great way to network, gain experience, and put your down time to good use. Applications are being taken now for upcoming sessions. They last from 2 to 6 weeks and cover a range of technologies. It may just be the ticket to land you your dream job!

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Get smart about skills today for tomorrow’s jobs | Tech News on ZDNet

Get smart about skills today for tomorrow’s jobs offers direction for those of us faced with decisions regarding continuing education. I’m floundering between database certification and project management. I’m also trying to tune in to a successful area for Ph.D. study. Part of me says I should just get something in the health care field but my real interests lie in cognitive neuroscience paired with artificial intelligence. At least I can rest assured that my time spent earning an MBA will not be wasted as business and IT converge.

What are your plans for the future?

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Geek And Poke: Books

Geek and Poke once again captures my experience. Sometimes continuing education involves real books, even if we don’t remember what one looks like.

Spreading Cobwebs in the Pit

It’s been very quiet here in the Pit for the past couple weeks and cobwebs are starting to grow in the corners. I am currently wrapping up my comprehensive examinations for an MBA in IT Management. Next I have to complete a capstone project in time to graduate in February. In the never-ending pursuit of knowledge IT professionals struggle to stay current and keep skills relevant to emerging technology. I am no different. So if it gets a little quiet in here, you know where to find me - huddled up with books and laptop feverishly racing towards a deadline.

Best wishes to you and yours during the winter holiday season. May it truly be a joyful time of year.

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Geeks Make Better Mates When Starting a Family

The recent article, Intelligence predicts sperm quality, from The Economist is great news for lonely geeks! Apparently intelligence directly relates to the quality of sperm and perhaps the overall health of men in general. This makes for a more attractive mate. Personally, I’ve always been more attracted to brains than brawn, so I’m delighted to see proof. So when starting a family, intelligent geeks make better mates!

I wonder when an equal study will be made of women?

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Heat of the Future

Heating and cooling are responsible for a big chuck of our carbon footprint. With winter on our doorsteps heating bills promise to add up but now there’s hope for a better tomorrow. “Pure Heat” is a technology that consumes 70% less energy than conventional heating methods. It can be applied to any solid surface, as demonstrated in a clear glass toaster. This heat of the future promises to revolutionize the way we build new structures and utilities. Imagine your windshield defrosting in less than a minute and ice-free roadways that have been retrofitted with Pure Heat.

I look forward to heated keyboards and mice to keep my fingers toasty and warm in the winter!

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World of Warcraft Players Feast on Wrath of the Lich King

Blizzard’s Wrath of the Lich King World of Warcraft release had record breaking sales of over 2 million copies in 24 hours. Many of the over 11 million subscribers will be trading an afternoon nap for online gaming when finished with their Thanksgiving feast. The rare holiday weekend is a perfect time to gather friends for questing and experience runs.

Enjoy turkey leftovers and plenty of pie while spending quality time with those you love. Whether your choice is online gaming, black Friday shopping, football games, or old fashioned conversation, take the time to enjoy being with loved ones this holiday season. My best to you and yours for a happy Thanksgiving.

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Book Review of Future Files: The 5 Trends That Will Shape the Next 50 Years

Future Files: The 5 Trends That Will Shape the Next 50 Years by Richard Watson is one of the few titles I’ve read cover to cover since starting my graduate work. It has continually held me attention, not an easy task, and made me more aware of the forces at work around me. When you get a spare moment I suggest picking it up and making the effort to read it through.

The theme that strikes me the most is that society, as a whole, will never choose technology to replace human interaction. There will always be those who prefer human to human contact. This gives me hope that children will be able to break free from electronics to explore the wonders inside the people around them. It’s where all hope lives.

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Unpaid Windows Vista Overtime

How would you feel if management required you to power on and off your computer every day? Not so bad, huh? Well, what if you are paid by the time you log in and off of that computer and it’s running Vista? I didn’t realize Vista could take up to 15 minutes to power up and shut down. Apparently it’s a problem because The Register reports several Employees sue for unpaid Windows Vista overtime. I’m not so keen on logging my time on the computer as I once was. I think I’ll tolerate scanning my employee card in the time clock a bit longer, thank you.

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Blu-Ray Pirates of the DVD

I knew it was just a matter of time before Blu-Ray pirating came into the spotlight. Pirates Prey on Blu-Ray DVD Format - WSJ.com details the latest trend in the copyright wars. Apparently there’s a substitute DVD format that is a a bit lower resolution than Blu-Ray but still passes for most consumers.

I understand busting up piracy rings that are mass producing content but how to deal with consumer piracy? I sit next to man who always copies the DVDs he rents to add to his personal collection. What about folks like him? Should he be considered just as guilty as pirates out for a profit? Or is it too little to be of consequence? I don’t have the answers, but maybe you do. Sound off in the comments section and let me know what you think!

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