Perl is still used in sysadmin, however Ruby is gaining ground at Perl's expense in this area.

Python is being used in science by the new post docs, but fortran, matlab, and IDL still reign supreme. (I like python because it's way cheaper than IDL or Matlab). Perl actually has a larger share of science use than Python. Python is replacing Perl as a glue language for science with Fortran and C still do the heavy lifting.

Ruby is also being used in science. Ruby + R when plotting is required, otherwise Ruby (like Python) is a glue language with Fortran and C do the computationally intensive work.

Ruby, Python and even Perl are still being used to power the web.

No you do not need to place a function in a class.

irb
2.0.0-p353 :001 > def add5(x)
2.0.0-p353 :002?> x + 5;
2.0.0-p353 :003 > end
=> nil
2.0.0-p353 :004 > add5(10)
=> 15
2.0.0-p353 :005 > add5(12)
=> 17

Ruby as a language is progressing well and Ruby 2.1 will be out soon.

Ruby gems is still active.

Just because it's not getting all the buzz from the young kids doesn't mean it's dying.

You can always get a thunderbolt expansion chassis like Sonnet Echo Express III.

I process a lot of data and this doesn't impact me since the JBOD box is external anyway. If I did upgrade to the new Mac Pro, I may be able to use something similar to Promise announced 20 Gbps thunderbolt 2 RAID enclosure

That will be cool.

We would impose an import tariff on all goods leaving California and we will give tax incentives to companies to move to the other 49 states. You will no longer enjoy all that pork from US military bases or contracts. Oh and you will have to pay 100% of your welfare, medicaid, and medicare expenses. Any of that technology that originates from federal grants will move out, and ITAR will prevent any new tech being easily exported to California.

Let's know how it works out.

But moving to states (perceived to be) full of racists...

The trouble with your stereotype is that there are more recent events like Watts Riot, Rodney King beating, racial and sexual discrimination in public schools, and Riders Scandel to name a few which happen in California.

Dear Google and Apple,

I saw on the news that local residents hate you now and are preventing your workers from arriving to work on time. Please move your operations to our state and we will show how much we appreciate all your paid employees spending their money in our neighborhoods.

Sincerely,
The 49 other saner states.

You do realize the wealthy (by definition) could afford the tax increase? It was only the middle class that were losing their homes.

Where exactly does one find a job in Nowhere, Montana?

It's called the classifieds. Believe it or not, jobs do exist outside of California. I bet MORE jobs exist outside of California.

Nice story bro. I do understand. I worked hard to keep food on the table and a roof over my family's head. I worked outside from dawn to almost dawn no matter the weather. I took a risk by continuing my education using student loans while working full time. It paid off in the end.

Take your bullshit story that accuses others of living like royalty elsewhere.