Technology

A survey by IT World Canada reveals that employers are seeking experienced workers over new graduates.

In the survey, 61% expect to hire this year. Staffing in 2007 is up 12% for IT workers. The number of IT employees on payrolls is expected to increase by 2%. 68% of new hires are expected to have 10 years or more experience in other companies.Average total compensation increase across the IT industry is 4.1% from 2006 to 2007.

Yet another resource shortage in the tech industry. Companies are having trouble filling tech jobs, and offer perks to try to attract talent. Builder.au has likened that to the dot com era culture.

This CBC article takes a Canadian view of the issue, with enrolment in tech courses being flat, while graduates have no trouble getting interviews and job offers.

After trying the Garmin StreetPilot c330 Navigator GPS, I decided to try a unit that was a hybrid between the car directions GPS and the handheld outdoor/trail GPS.

While a car directions GPS gives turn by turn guidance to get you to your destination, a handheld would provide tracking, a compass, waypoints, ...etc.

I finally gave in and bought a GPS.

It is the Garmin StreetPilot c330. A family friend bought it and was happy with it. it was also on sale at Canadian Tire for C$329.

It comes with a quick start guide, but no manual. Not that it needs one for basic operations. The interface is very usable by anyone. Either select from categories, or enter an address, and it will take you there via voice prompts ("In 950 meters, turn left" then after a few seconds "turn left").

A 15 year old teen, Cody Webb, spent 12 days in juvenile detention, because of a mixup caused by the earlier than usual change in day light savings time. Comments and discussion on Slashdot.

Searching Google for the proper name Khalid returns this web site in the top 10. Of course, having a non Anglo-Saxon name helps a bit.Also, see this post, and comments, on Om Malik's web site about other geeks on Google. Or you can read more about what the name Khalid means.