The kitty litter factory

In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.anecdotes", John F. Eldredge
artfully composed this message within
on 17 Jun 2004:

I am also a computer programmer, and have
been working part-time since February due to my employer's
decision to stop seeking outside programming contracts. The
only work has been for internal use. I have been drawing
partial unemployment benefits, but they will run out in another
couple of months. I have 18 years experience, and have applied
for numerous jobs, but haven't received any job offers.


Some of the trends lately bother me WRT to computer jobs. I'm a
systems administrator (applications specialist mostly, anymore) and
our company leans toward DIY type content management systems that
allow non-technical people to publish web content. Interwoven in
our case. Of course it requires technical people to set up the
system and all of the templates and workflow, but after that all of
the real day-to-day work is done by those non techies. The
technical industry is changing, and where there used to be home-
grown apps built based on a custom design, everything now is
browser-accessible, and out-of-the-box is in it seems to me. I
don't say this to depress you or Dan or anyone else out of work due
to the current tech situation. Times have changed, the workplace
has changed, and we have to change. I'm doing things now I never
ever planned to, or even wanted to. If my job were to become
obsolete (and it is possible with the trend!) I think I would make
a drastic career change or even look into consulting work. Small
business is IN with government agencies these days. Big business is
forced to partner with small business to win contracts. Something
to think about.

--
Cheryl

In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.anecdotes", John F. Eldredge
artfully composed this message within
on 17 Jun 2004:

I am also a computer programmer, and have
been working part-time since February due to my employer's
decision to stop seeking outside programming contracts. The
only work has been for internal use. I have been drawing
partial unemployment benefits, but they will run out in another
couple of months. I have 18 years experience, and have applied
for numerous jobs, but haven't received any job offers.


Some of the trends lately bother me WRT to computer jobs. I'm a
systems administrator (applications specialist mostly, anymore) and
our company leans toward DIY type content management systems that
allow non-technical people to publish web content. Interwoven in
our case. Of course it requires technical people to set up the
system and all of the templates and workflow, but after that all of
the real day-to-day work is done by those non techies. The
technical industry is changing, and where there used to be home-
grown apps built based on a custom design, everything now is
browser-accessible, and out-of-the-box is in it seems to me. I
don't say this to depress you or Dan or anyone else out of work due
to the current tech situation. Times have changed, the workplace
has changed, and we have to change. I'm doing things now I never
ever planned to, or even wanted to. If my job were to become
obsolete (and it is possible with the trend!) I think I would make
a drastic career change or even look into consulting work. Small
business is IN with government agencies these days. Big business is
forced to partner with small business to win contracts. Something
to think about.

--
Cheryl

You might also check with local hospitals. They are becoming more automated
and focusing on quality principles.

"Dan M" wrote in message
...
Purrs for that to pick up. Must be able to keep the kitties in the
luxury
they have grown used to! Are you looking for another job?

Yep. Have been since February. Just not a good time to be a programmer
or system administrator. Where the LA Times used to have 4 or 5 pages of
"Help Wanted" ads under the "Computer" category, nowadays they're lucky
to 4 or 5 ads. And each one will probably get 1000 people applying for it.

You might also check with local hospitals. They are becoming more automated
and focusing on quality principles.

"Dan M" wrote in message
...
Purrs for that to pick up. Must be able to keep the kitties in the
luxury
they have grown used to! Are you looking for another job?

Yep. Have been since February. Just not a good time to be a programmer
or system administrator. Where the LA Times used to have 4 or 5 pages of
"Help Wanted" ads under the "Computer" category, nowadays they're lucky
to 4 or 5 ads. And each one will probably get 1000 people applying for it.

You might also check with local hospitals. They are becoming more automated
and focusing on quality principles.

"Dan M" wrote in message
...
Purrs for that to pick up. Must be able to keep the kitties in the
luxury
they have grown used to! Are you looking for another job?

Yep. Have been since February. Just not a good time to be a programmer
or system administrator. Where the LA Times used to have 4 or 5 pages of
"Help Wanted" ads under the "Computer" category, nowadays they're lucky
to 4 or 5 ads. And each one will probably get 1000 people applying for it.