I use this setup in my lab/server room. The KVM consoles are racked at standing height, but we have tall, rolling task chairs for the times you have to park for an extended period of time. I have observed that shorter people have a harder time getting on the chair though.

I think you are making his point. Why is it ok to demand Romney's tax records, but Obama's college records and transcript are off limits? You say it wouldn't influence anyone, but imagine the fall out if it was revealed that Obama received a D in economics 101, or a paper in which he argues that a monarchy is a better form of government (with or without context of the assignment).

That is a problem the legislature can fix (I assume). Perhaps not easy politically, but can be done with a vote. Most of the ballot measures cannot be repealed, except through another ballot measure.

Isn't that what California does now? Prop 123 to pay for X and Prop 456 to pay for Y. Some outrageous percentage of their budget is tied up in these "feel good" mandates. The legislature wants to increase funding for teachers, but they first have to pay out to the "orphan kitten" fund. When someone attempts to repeal the mandate, they are villainized in TV ads, saying they want to feed the kittens, and the elderly, to alligators.

FWIW, I have a friend who started working from home, and expressed the same concerns as you. To compensate, he did a few things. First he has a general daily schedule that he follows as strictly as he can. This schedule includes two hours in the middle of his work morning, part of which he uses to cook breakfast for his family before they leave for the day. He logs off email, and lets work calls go to voice mail outside these times. He also has a home office. He only uses the office when he is working. Personal time spent using the computer is done outside of his office. Finally, he hangs his company ID around his neck, just like when he is in a company office. It is a visual indicator to let his family know when he is is working. The point of all of this was to create mental and visual barriers between home and work.

For a long time this was significant factor/excuse for not changing the school calendar. While the schools I attended have been retrofitted for A/C since I have left, how many other schools across the nation still need upgrades? For small communities that can be a significant cost. You also have additional costs to run the A/C during the Summer, run your bus fleet longer, pay current teachers more money, and hire additional staff.

I acknowledge that many studies say this is a good thing, but paying for it is a big hurtle. I don't see it happening anytime soon.

Imagine the devastation. Won't someone please think of the children!

I have been cornering the market on Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice. One bad season and I will bring the world to its knees. Bwhaahaa!

I agree with you. There are very vocal proponents on both sides of this issue (and many other issues) who like to shout how dumb the beliefs of their opponents are. It is counterproductive to insult the group you are attempting to persuade to join your side.

I did not say you are a know-nothing at 10 years. But at 10 you could not have possibly seen all that there is, especially in such a diverse subject as comp. sci. You said yourself, that you discovered two new testing techniques in one class. I take exception to your generalized statement that graduate degrees are "usually only good for credential padding ..." I spent a lot of time considering different schools and programs, looking for a degree to compliment my background and career goals. Yes, there were boring nights, but I learned a heck of a lot too, and I don't consider myself a lightweight, then or now. I recognize that you seem to be having a different experience, but most of the people I know, after finishing a program, say that it was a very rewarding experience.

That is good advice on the letters of recommendation. Most schools have some kind of an open house. That is going to be a good opportunity for you to ask about their specific requirements. You may find that they have alternatives for people in your situation.

Another option to consider is enrolling in a non-degree status with the school. You might be able to take a few classes, before having to be formally admitted as a degree-seeking student. There are perks to going this route. It allows you to get more familiar with the school, and them with you. The application process shouldn't be very rigorous. After a class or two, you will have some recent academic experience, and a professor willing to write a recommendation letter. My school allowed me to transfer up to 12 credits from non-degree to a degree program, so the time wasn't wasted either.

I have to disagree, especially at only 10 years of experience. A good masters program should be exposing you to a variety of development methods, techniques, and theory. Far more that most people with 10, or even 20 years experience could have learned in the course of a normal career. Most programs allow you to tailor your classes to fit your areas of interest or to fill in areas where you are deficient. It is up to you to find the proper balance. If you are not learning, you are doing something wrong, or picked the wrong program.

Bozeman, Montana, is a great place to live. It has a low crime rate, and will likely be the place where we make first contact with extraterrestrials.

I think that is what he is trying to say, that many of these systems are poorly designed. Water is being removed from an area of "ample" supply to areas with little or no supply. We are attempting to take the same volume of water and spread it out over a larger area, on a global scale.

In some cases the water used for irrigation is piped in from miles away, so the unused water does not flow back to source.