I believe there is also a "when you eat" component. For a long time, I ate only at night, after work and that was a big meal. No breakfast. Infrequent lunch. I started eating breakfast and noticed that I was hungry around lunch time so I started eating lunch. Dinner sizes decreased as well as my appetite. I have lost nearly 35 pounds.

I don't think that Microsoft expects businesses to pay more so much as they expect home users not to pay.

As a nation of consumers and owner of one of the most stable business environments we have a responsibility to point out where an overseas partner needs to make improvements. It is up to that country and the residents of that country to then respond. We are not responsible for the protection of a nation's people but can choose to make investments in those countries who share our values or are moving toward. I believe that China is doing that but it will take time, the appropriate amount of outside pressure, and most importantly the will of her citizens. We must also act in our best interests; decreasing our quality of life in hopes of raising another's is not going to resonate well in the business culture of the US.

I couldn't agree more. I feel the same way about word processors. That's why I use LaTeX.

I have had enough new metal for a lifetime. I had finally recovered from the emergence of Limp Bizkit and Papa Roach. If they are looking for a name, they should consider Kornium.

£26 value could simply mean that someone has paid that much for the type of cupcake she is advertising. The Groupon only says:

In the first paragraph, I think the author of the article erroneously concludes that this is the normal price. She might sell her cupcakes at a normal price of £7 and always tell customers they are a £26 value.

Because some people do not spend their lives indoors. Have you ever tried to look at your cell phone while riding a bike? But hey, this is slashdot. You might be one of those cell phone holster guys.

If someone says that to you, you know why they are saying it. That is a last resort and usually comes after significant attempts at counseling.

Also, I'd have no problem with someone coming to me and say that they are unhappy with some aspect of their work. In fact, my company is well-versed at addressing these issues and will work to come up with a solution. If we cannot solve your problem, then you can deliver your "I'm going to quit line." Yet again, last resort.

Where the fuck do you guys work?

They already have the upper hand before coming to the bargaining table. TFA was about loyalty. Loyalty is injured once your employee starts looking elsewhere. Why threaten your boss with leaving before demonstrating why an out-of-band raise is deserved? Do you go all in on the flop in Texas Hold 'em? After you present your case for a raise and receive an unfavorable response, you can proceed with revealing your job offer. This is the best option for getting what you want without damaging your working relationship.

And for the record, one reason I would be pissed is that my relationship with my "underlings" (as you called them) was not healthy enough that I knew that they were not satisfied. The other is that people generally think for a while before they start interviewing which means that they were likely dissatisfied for some time. You know, not all bosses are scumbags.

Do not do this! This is terrible advice. As an IT manager, I would be pissed if someone came to me with leverage. Being forced to make a decision is not pleasant. I would much rather have the employee come to me with a business case for giving him or her a raise. If I am worth my pay, I know what the resource is worth and will come up with the raise if I can and it is within my budget. Do not accept any stalling tactics as you could lose both opportunities.

One other thing to consider is that managers will reduce cost if pressured to do so. If you are expensive and seen as replaceable with minimum impact, you will be replaced. It is rare that loyalty (reverse to what you discussed) is given in that situation.

I guess Fox news will report that this is the first effect of the 5% Jobs-killing, millionaire tax that was proposed.

That would depend on the director. If Abrams directs, Jim would easily kill Solo. Same goes for Solo in a Lucas film. However, Lucas would release an updated version years later where Greedo blasts Kirk from somewhere else in the bar.

This problem is solved by keeping the platters stationary as the case spins about them.

Thanks for the detailed summary of what it feels like to be in middle management. However, I think you win by learning to architect outsourcing contracts. These are not going away anytime soon. In addition, corporate officers and directors prefer to deal with people that resemble and sound like themselves. For the time being, there is some job security there.

That's what I thought I was doing by joining an industry that once rewarded my creativity and coding skills. Somehow the latter is now equivalent with being a field-hand.