If you haven’t already figured it out, the IT job market sucks here in the good ole US of A.
Sure, many of you will say it’s the economy, the financial crisis we’re in now with massive foreclosures, failing banks, rising gas prices, and the uncertainty of who the next president will be. That certainly does play a factor in it, but I feel there is a much bigger issue facing all of us in IT careers.
A bit of history about ole Crusty Orange. Crusty has many years experience as a software developer. Crusty has held roles in all aspects of the software development lifecycle. He has held positions all the way from systems analyst all the way up to director. For the past couple of years, Crusty was the lead developer for several contracts for a federal contractor working with their government client. As most government contracts go, they are fixed price and the company with the lowest bid usually wins. I was allowed the luxury of telecommuting (it was a 3 hour drive each way to the office) since I had to move closer to my mother due to her failing health (she passed away in November 2007). (more…)
28.Oct.08 
Technology 
Comment (1)
Microsoft and Quality are two mutually exclusive words nowadays, let me explain why I feel this way.
I installed Vista Ultimate on my desktop computer a few months ago. Recently I had the need to install the developer version of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 on this computer. I put the CD in the drive and the adventure begins.
SQL Server 2005 requires Internet Information Services (IIS) to be running. While running the installation wizard it detects that IIS is not running on my computer. I go to Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Internet Information Services Manager and sure enough it IS running, and correctly shows the files in my wwwroot directory. Unfortunately though, they will NOT display in my browser when I go to http://localhost After searching on Google for the cause and trying a few suggestions I found (uninstall IIS, uninstall WPA, reinstall), it still doesn’t work. Strike 1 for Microsoft.
Someone suggested that it might be a good idea to do an in-place update of Vista overtop of the existing Vista. I thought this might work as it would replace all of the files, including those possibly corrupted with fresh files. I start the update and it says it cannot continue because Nero 7 Burning Rom is not compatible with Vista. I had mistakenly installed Nero 7 a month ago thinking it would work. DOH! This resulted in another problem. Vista can’t remove it!! What good is an operating system if it can’t remove programs!! I had to download a utility from Nero to uninstall it. Strike 2 for Microsoft.
After a few hours of Vista Upgrading and patches, I finally had a fresh install of Vista installed. I sat back and prepared for a smooth installation of Microsoft SQL Server 2005. Fresh upgrade of Vista (had to confirm its Genuine again and re-activate it), fresh copy of SQL Server2005, and fresh IIS setup. I start the install and BAM! It tells me that IIS isn’t running again. Strike 3!!
Why can’t Microsoft make their crap run with its own products!!!! Where the hell has the quality assurance gone!! Don’t they thoroughly test this stuff!!
As a side note, I installed SQL Server 2005 on my Windows XP laptop the first time flawlessly.
I’m sure I’ll be spending 3 hours or so on the phone with Microsoft trying to work this out.
19.Feb.08 Technology Comments (2)
I have tremendous amounts of respect for Steve Jobs and his creation of the Apple Empire…but in all honesty…the new Apple Ipod Touch is the dumbest of the ipod’s yet.
The new Touch Ipod is essentially an Apple Iphone without the ability to call someone. It contains no original innovations as things like Wi-Fi and larger screens had already been released earlier on the Iphone.
1. When I buy something, I want it to have some new crap for me to feel good about…not just be a knock off version of a cell phone.
^look familiar?
Also the design of the touch is completely stupid for an ipod. If this was any other multimedia device, I am sure I would be fine with this, but an ipod should be made so if it takes a couple knocks, it won’t look like complete crap. I can’t think of one current ipod owner who still has his/her ipod looking in perfect condition, without a single scratch on the screen or on the ipod itself…and with that said, why the hell would they make an ipod with a LARGER screen that you are now required to TOUCH in order to use the damn thing.
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13.Sep.07 Technology Comments (0)
