IT Job Prospects

Nobody thinks that IT will escape the recession unscathed, but demand for certain types of IT expertise remains strong. Some of these skills, such as security, have been in constant demand for years, but others are more surprising. Job categories that just a few years ago seemed doomed to outsourcing are in demand. For example, developers with .NET or SAP experience are in an enviable position. As companies hunker down and consolidate their staffs, prospects are also good for project managers, business intelligence experts, and technical support personnel. Perhaps even more surprising, demand for Web 2.0 skills remain high, indicating that companies are continuing to invest in new IT projects.

• At the cusp of 2009, Computerworld outlines some of the most in-demand IT skills.

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• In a related story, Computerworld sees a bright future for Software as a Service (SaaS), but cautions that companies need to be aware of integration requirements and the long-term costs of SaaS solutions.

Journalists Leverage Technology

In the age of the Internet, many people find newspapers irrelevant, and the focus on short sound-bites and videos makes it difficult to justify the research required for a major article. On the flip side of this equation, the Internet opens the door for every point of view to be heard, because fewer resources are required to publish an e-newsletter than a hard-copy newsletter, for instance. One important benefit of the wide-spread accessibility of electronic publishing is that resources are focused on content rather than on delivery. Perhaps even more significantly, technology helps streamline the research that is the key to good reporting.

• A Miller-McCune editorial explores the relationship between technology and investigative reporting.

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• O'Reilly.com blogger Nick Bilton opines that the death of the newspaper is greatly exaggerated.

State of Open Source

Open-source solutions continue to gain in popularity and market penetration. From Linux to PHP to Firefox, practically every company uses at least some open-source software. The decision to use open-source products may be philosophical or pragmatic, but either way, IT professionals need a good understanding of open-source licensing and product delivery options.

• Techradar.com reports on an interview with Richard Stallman, the originator of the GNU General Public License.

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• In a year-end roundup, Ars Technica designates some of the most important open-source achievements of 2008.

Being Green

Reducing the environmental impact of IT continues to be a priority for both consumers and manufacturers. While manufacturers are reducing the toxic materials used in electronic products, from computers to cell phones, disposal of e-waste remains a huge problem. In some places, e-waste recycling is required, but according to a Time Magazine report, “If you're like some 80% of Americans, you'll simply toss your obsolete gizmos into the trash.” Even when e-waste is recycled, it often ends up polluting the environment and poisoning people, because most e-waste recycling is done in countries, such as China, with minimal or no environmental protections.

• Time Magazine raises the profile of e-waste disposal dangers.

Related Links

• International Business Times summarizes research conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association about consumer attitudes concerning green tech products, and the association’s efforts to promote green products and behaviors at the Consumer Electronics Show held in January 2009.

• A series of special reports, sponsored by IBM and published by InformationWeek, suggests ways to reduce the environmental impact of IT--from email to data storage.

Just for Fun

Video games have changed a lot since the introduction of Pong in 1972. While modern games have a lot more to offer than their predecessors, there’s something intriguing about looking back at the past and seeing how this volatile sector of the IT industry has evolved.

• Gamasutra.com surveys video game history beginning at the beginning, even before Pong.

Sharon L. Hoffman is a System iNEWS senior technical editor. She began working with IBM midrange systems in 1981, and her background includes extensive application development as well as creation and delivery of technical education.