InformIT :: Blogs

Blog :: Minutes from the October 2009 Meeting

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The minutes from the Santa Cruz (October 2009) meeting are available here. Even if you're not a language layer at heart, I encourage you to read them.

Blog :: Social Networking for the Anti-Socialites

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How would Scrooge handle today's emphasis on social networking?

Blog :: The Laid Off IT Guy! Website Project

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A good friend of mine started his own accounting practice about 6 months ago. A few weeks ago he invited me to dinner and told me that he had a project for me. I graciously accepted, as I’ve wanted to do some consulting work. What he shared with me is that he wants to build his brand by having me build a website for him. Sounds good to me.

Blog :: The Laid Off IT Guy! Resume Redo

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In my last blog I discussed “Getting Back to Basics.” For me, that was reviewing my résumé, building my network, applying for more jobs and attending job clubs and workshops. The first point of contact you’ll likely have with a prospective employer is your résumé. If you aren’t getting the number of interviews that you think you should, it might be time to redo your résumé.

Blog :: A Reader's Opinion on Attributes

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In August I dedicated a series to the debate about C++0x attributes. I believe that it covered the subject in a balanced and detailed way, but I keep getting complaints from C++ users who don't like attributes for various reasons. Here's a recent email I received from a Polish C++ programmer. While it doesn't represent my opinion about attributes -- I'm rather neutral about this feature and consider it a "solution waiting for a problem" -- but it suggests that attributes are still a highly controversial issue that will haunt C++ for a long time. The email is quoted here with minor edits that and as usual, with all private details removed.

Blog :: Followup: The Web 2.0 Guy I Ain't

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Almost a year ago, I posted here The Web 2.0 Guy I Ain't. People wonder whether I still resist all those Web 2.0 features and technologies at the end of 2009.

Blog :: The Laid Off IT Guy! Getting Back to Basics

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Last week, after coming as close as I have to receiving a job offer thus far, my hopes were dashed when the opportunity fell apart. Once I lost out on that prospect, I took a pessimistic attitude for a couple of days. When I bounced back from that funk, I decided that what I needed in my job search is what I’m calling “Getting Back to Basics.”

Blog :: The Laid Off IT Guy! Contract to Hire to Nothing

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This post describes both the best and worst job search experience that I have had since losing my job almost six months ago. I was asked to provide some consulting services for a client. Then the client got excited and wanted to hire me. Then they went a completely different direction and I got nothing out of it. It took my emotions on a roller coaster, for sure.

Blog :: The Laid Off IT Guy! Recruiter Becomes a Coach

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If you have been following my blog for the past 5 months or so you might recall some posts that I have written about my recruiter friend, Andy. Recently, we had lunch where he revealed to me that I have had some profound effect on his career. Naturally, I was curious about what I could have done for him to decide to take his company in a different direction.

Blog :: The Laid Off IT Guy! Working While Unemployed

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

You can work a little bit while looking for your next career and still collect unemployment. Work too much, however, and you will begin to see a deduction from your weekly payment. There is a limit to how much money you can earn from odd jobs before your unemployment payment begins to be reduced. In today’s article I will explain what I’ve been able to gather. I’m certainly no expert and this information isn’t intended to provide legal advice.

Blog :: Would You Use an iPhone App for IT Certification Study?

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey there. I have a question for those of you who own either the Apple iPhone or iPod Touch device: would you purchase an app to help you prepare for your IT certification exams?

Blog :: The Laid Off IT Guy! Contributing Author

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

About five years ago I had the unique experience of being asked to be a contributing author in the first edition of the book entitled, “Project Management: On Track From Start To Finish.” Now my friend and author of the book, Joseph Phillips, has asked me again to contribute to the third edition of his new book, which is coming out soon.