Seems like an insightful analysis. No real surprise, given the ever present desire corporations have to increase profits. And increasing *profit* from slashdot while maintaining or increasing quality for the current user base would be hard. I would like to see it - the quality around here could really use a boost. But I think a Dilbertesque attempt at sacking the name for short term gains is more likely, possibly followed by a sale of the mangled corpse. Maybe we will read about it on The Daily WTF, assuming they don't suffer the same fate.
... Their current base will migrate away to more geek-friendly websites
So, any recommendations? I am yet to find anything that does a good job filling the gap of what slashdot should be.
Some non-replacements, but still worthwhile sites I have found:
* Electoral Vote is a great source for what is happening in US national campaigns. At least, it is when he has something to say (And I don't blame him for not always having something to say - his page must be a tough hobby as is)
* Tikalon is a cool science blog. I recently found it linked from a slashdot comment, and need to read more of it.
* Politico looks like it is worth a look if you want more US politics, but lacks the tech focus of slashdot.
So, where should the lifeboats head as they flee like rats from a sinking slashdot?
What can you provide in the way of reputable references of which are applicable to my point? If what you say is true, then why do people often leave for a higher paying job elsewhere?
Work is the sale of labor. Saying that high quality workers should be paid the same as low is like saying that a flimsy chair at wall mart should cost the same as a high quality chair at a good furniture store.
The high quality workers are justified in expecting better pay. Having coworkers that are paid the same as you when they do half the work causes bitterness and resentment. Knowing that you will receive the same raise no matter your performance does not encourage you to perform well.
If your union sucks it's your own fault.
Sigh.... This is like saying "If your county council sucks it's your own fault." Things are not that simple. Consider:
*Many unions force the employer to require union membership as a condition of employment.
*Many workers will find that a given job is the best option available even when they consider any relevant unions to be bad.
*Many unions are large enough that a single worker can not realistically change how the union works, given their single vote and time constraints. Could I change how my county council works? Maybe, if I dedicated all my free time to running - but only maybe. And if I spend all my time on that, along with tackling the state and federal government, I won't have the time to do the same with my union.
*In some unions the majority of workers, being below average or about average, vote in rules requiring wages to be based on something other than performance. The top workers hate this because they are no longer paid for being really good. But they are not the majority.
When you are stuck with a bad union it can be a choice of quitting your job or living with it. If a worker chooses not to leave it does not negate their right to complain. In fact, complaining is often a part of trying to correct the problem.
This is not to say that all unions are bad, nor is it a comment on the situation at Alma. Many of unions are good and have benefitted workers across the world. The point is that it is very possible for a worker to do all they reasonably can do and still be stuck with a bad union. Simply blaming bad unions on an unhappy union member is naive.
Mostly true. Most companies just care about experience after you have 3+ years of it. But some still do filter on GPA. As I understand it, Sandia's policy applies to all hires regardless of experience. Though in rare cases upper management can provide an exemption. I suspect those HR web pages that have mandatory fill in the GPA box are a strong indicator of the companies that still filter based on GPA for senior employes.
However, getting that first job can be very hard. And what that job is can have a major impact on getting your next job. So if AvailableNickname is primary concerned about getting a job after school then GPA is a relevant concern. Not the largest concern, but also not one to be brushed off.
Yep. That is why I mentioned personal development vs getting a job. I don't know what AvailableNickname's priorities are, so I qualified my comment as only applying if the overriding goal is a good job. Sadly, given the time and cost of going to college, you often have to focus simply on finishing and getting a job instead of learning as much as you can. I know this is contrary to the ideals learning and of many universities. But I don't blame anyone for facing reality.
Don't forget that you can still take some classes, assuming you can find the time. Some of my best classes were taken after I graduated when I managed to fit in some while I was working. I took them simply because I wanted to, I had no concern about GPA or meeting course requirements, and I could keep the class load at what I wanted. It also helped that when I needed extra time to study I could take an afternoon off work (paid vacation is wonderful!).
Yea, I realize that you might have more important things to do with your time. Life is tough.
Challenge yourself.
If the overriding goal is personal intellectual development, absolutely. But if you are worried about getting a good job, no. Most unfortunately, the university and employment system has a very effective built in punishment for this called the GPA. HR departments and hiring managers often filter by GPA. Some employers, like Sandia National Laboratory, have remarkably high GPA requirements. And you don't get the top GPA by challenging yourself.
In your example, with a community college vs a university, the difference in degree would be very relevant, However, it sounds like AvailableNickname has already chosen a (4-5 year?) university and is simply asking what classes to take. When it comes to be job time, the main questions will be: Degree, GPA, coursework relevant to the job, and university reputation. Given his distaste of math I would hesitate to recommend a math intensive career path and study, though I do recommend a solid foundation.
At a minimum, 1 year of Calculus and a semester of statistics. More if piratical. And it sure sounds like he is well into calculus. Beyond that, how about taking the classes most relevant to whatever career he would like? Simultaneously decide if it is work that he might actually enjoy and get something to put on his resume that directly relates to the job he wants.
Also remember that you can study whatever you want and challenge yourself on your time after you finish school. When I hear somebody say "I wish I had taken more of X" I am inclined to say "Well, go study it." Be it books, local classes, or online classes, you can do independent study. Yea, it might not be as good as a real class, but don't let that stop you.
This particular transition is feeding those people (as well as a good deal of the smart people too) to the wolves.
Please stop doing that. Considering the average health of Americans, we would rather eat something else.
Two percent of zero is almost nothing.