BizTech

The 2009 tech career planner

Although tech jobs are under increasing pressure, the IT jobs picture is still better than for other jobs

The economy is in trouble — everywhere. Even outsourced providers are nervous. Already under stress, IT staffers see their jobs getting more and more difficult as they must do more with less, all while wondering if they’ll keep their jobs at all.

That’s why you need a plan for your tech career. The worst thing you can do is give up or panic. Although tech jobs are under increasing pressure, the reality is that the technology jobs market overall is still doing better than the market for other types of jobs.

That doesn’t mean you’re immune from layoffs, stagnant salaries, or increasing workloads, but it does mean you have more options than many other workers — if you’re willing to be flexible.

There’s plenty of data to support the fears that many tech workers have about their job security and ability to make ends meet. For example, more than 50,000 tech workers lost their jobs before the financial meltdown hit, and more jobs are in danger.

That trend translates to income pain for even the survivors. According to the 2008 salary survey by our sister publication Computerworld, bonuses for IT workers rose only 0.2 percent from 2007 levels. At a time when 3 to 4 percent salary raises are failing to keep up with inflation rates that are rising above 5 percent, those dwindling bonuses are making tough times even more challenging for IT professionals.

That same Computerworld survey shows that only 14 percent of respondents did not feel more stressed than a year earlier. Shrinking budgets are one reason. “Companies are in the mind-set of not spending in the next 3 months and increasing only 1 or 2 percent in the next 12 months.

That’s quite a change from last year when it was between 7 and 8 percent,” notes Steve Minton, vice president of worldwide IT markets at IDC

The United States and Europe appear to be especially hard hit, though the downturn is being felt worldwide. Still, tech workers might consider moving to China, Canada, or other stronger markets where the demand for IT skills — and the opportunities to develop new ones — remains good. A move abroad may also give you more than technical skills: It can make you more appealing to companies that have global teams, an increasing reality everywhere.

To remain competitive, IT workers need a combination of the 30 essential basic skills — including, according to one survey, strong ethics and morals — and abilities in emerging recession-proof areas where demand remains high, such as security, VoIP, and wireless.

And don’t forget about not-so-hot areas that are critical to companies’ abilities to keep running: Cobol skills can be great job insurance, for example. Also, look to certain skills that have been hot for a while and, thus, tend to be neglected, such as open source, .Net, and Java.

Certifications also can help, especially management ones. But beware: Certifications are not equally valuable. Some are simply expected — and may be necessary to even be considered for a job — while others are superfluous.

That’s especially true for technical certifications; outside of security and networking, they’re not proving that valuable. Those that tend to give you an edge involve management and business-specific training — skills that business managers more easily understand than technical ones.

inforworld

Nokia introduces XpressMusic series

Nokia brings music lovers the chance to groove longer, harder and better wherever they are with their new XpressMusic range.

The Nokia 5220 XpressMusic has 24 hours music playback and 512 MB memory card inbox that can be modified up to 2GB.

This comes with an array of other features like a two Mega Pixel camera, talk-time of 5.25 hours and standby time of 406 hours.

The Nokia 5320 XpressMusic comes with 1 GB memory card that can be extended to 8 GB. The 3G/HSDPA will also help you download, exchange and transfer data at lightning speed. The Nokia 5310 XpressMusic have high definition sound, Bluetooth and 30 MB shared memory, that redefines your mobile music experience. The top of the line Nokia 5610 XpressMusic is pure power in the palm of your hand.

With its built-in speaker that delivers optimum sound quality and 3.2 Mega Pixel camera, 3G, Bluetooth and Real Player functions, it’s in a league of its own.

Motorola’s year of job cuts

Motorola is ending 2008 the way it started — with layoffs. The handset maker confirmed that it has cut about 7,800 employees jobs in the past 12 months.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, Motorola (NYSE: MOT) said it is completing its October layoff action of 3,000 employees with the final 400 occurring as the year concludes. In 2007 Motorola laid off a total of 6,700 employees.

“This an estimate and new figures will be included in our 10-K schedule to be released after our fourth quarter earnings call,” a spokesperson told InternetNews.com

The news comes two weeks after the mobile device maker announced a cost-cutting effort that canceled bonuses, slashed benefits for the upcoming year and a 25 percent salary cut for its co-CEOs.

“All of the Company’s business segments, as well as various corporate functions, are impacted by these plans,” stated the SEC filing. Motorola’s workforce actions, and other cost reduction initiatives will save Motorola $800 million in 2009, a spokesperson told InternetNews.com. Meanwhile, the struggling handset maker is now facing hit a lawsuit by Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM).

RIM claims Motorola is illegally blocking attempts to hire ex and current employees. The BlackBerry maker’s court action is in response to a February lawsuit filed by Motorola to stop RIM from poaching employees.

Motorola’s initial employee reductions took place early this year, with a layoff of 4,800. That was shortly after co-CEO Greg Brown came on board to steer the mobile division into more profitable waters. On October 30 the company announced the second big layoff round though specific figures were not provided at the time.

Brown embarked on a flurry of reorganization efforts, primarily targeting the mobile division though some leaders in HR and finance were replaced as well

Brown then announced plans to spin off the mobile business and initiated a CEO search. In early summer Sanja Jha was hired for the job and also as Motorola’s co-CEO.

However, during its most recent earnings report Brown announced that the mobile division spin-off was on hold due to turbulent economics.

InternetNews.com

Debug unveils Epson Stylus Pro 3850 printer

Debug Computer Peripherals the sole authorized distributor for EPSON in Sri Lanka unveiled the Epson Stylus Pro 3850 printer.

This is an advanced high quality printer for professional and advanced amateur photographers, designers and proof makers.

Epson Ultra Chrome K3 ink will easily cover the gamut of complex images. The wide colour gamut produced by Ultra Chrome K3 ink, will reproduce vivid colours and natural skin tones, while its three level black ink technology will create beautifully neutral black and white images that will last a lifetime.

Epson Ultra Chrome K3 ink, produces superior neutral grey tones because of its three level black ink technology.

The three black inks and low saturation inks allow for subtle colour tonings. Demanding professional photographers will appreciate this feature for producing various types of monochrome images.

The Epson Stylus Pro 3850 - 17” A2 automatically switches between Photo Black ink and Matte Black ink when the correct paper type is selected in the printer driver.

The change over process is extremely fast which further minimises downtime when switching.

Indian Govt nod for ICT scheme

Indian Government approved a central scheme to use the Information Communication Technology (ICT) in providing personalised and interactive knowledge modules to students, a step aimed at increasing enrolment rate by five per cent in higher education in the 11th Plan.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its go ahead for the National Mission on Education through ICT.

The HRD Ministry scheme would cost Rs 4,612 crore in the 11th Plan, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said.

Budgetary provision for the scheme for this financial year is Rs 502 crore, he told reporters.

As per the scheme, ICT potential will be used to provide high-quality personalised and interactive knowledge modules over the Internet and intra-net for all learners in higher educational institutes in any time and any where basis.

The mission will generate content and provide connectivity to institutes and learners. It will extend computer infrastructure to and connectivity to over 18,000 colleges in the country, including each of the department of 419 universities, deemed universities and institutions of national importance, Sibal said.

The Mission will work in close cooperation with other Missions and schemes like National Translation Mission, Vocational Education Mission, National Knowledge Network and Scheme on ICT in schools to attain synergy and avoid duplication, Sibal said.

The scheme is expected to increase enrolment rate in higher education from 10 per cent currently to 15 per cent by 2012.

PTI

Taking 3-D to a new dimension

For nearly a decade, television makers have been asking consumers to step into high definition. This week, they’ll be asking buyers to step into three dimensions.

The idea of bringing 3-D to screens in the home is making a comeback after failed attempts, in the 1950s and then again in the 1970s. Hoping the third time will be the charm, manufacturers are making a concerted push this year to promote 3-D TV as the best way to enjoy live sporting events and action films.

“Unlike earlier attempts, it’s not just gimmick to try to sell a bad horror movie,” said Doug Darrow, a Texas Instruments executive. “It’s a whole different picture now.”

Backers of 3-D say there are compelling forces behind the technology, which they say has evolved significantly from the days of the red and cyan glasses.

Already, some 1,500 U.S. theaters are capable of showing 3-D images.

In recent years, movies such as “Bolt” and “Beowulf” were shown in 3-D. Rock band U2 last year recorded a concert film in 3-D with the help of Burbank production company 3ality Digital.

In December, the National Football League dipped its toe in the water by broadcasting a 3-D game between the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers to select theaters, and the National Basketball Assn. is doing the same with some events during next month’s All-Star game weekend.

What’s more, a slate of nearly two dozen movies that can be shown in 3-D is scheduled for release over the next two years, including “Toy Story 3,” “A Christmas Carol” and “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.”

Now, those same forces are lining up to find a way to bring 3-D into the living room.

Biz Tech Quiz

Last week’s Biz Tech Quiz was “Where are the device drivers’ settings for Microsoft Windows saved?” and the answer is In the Windows Registry.

Aruna Senevirathne of No. 37A Torrinton Avenue, Colombo 07 was the winner of this Biz Tech Quiz.

He will be the winner of the world’s smallest mouse sponsored by Sala Enterprises.