To me, IT involves Information Technology whether it's programming or systems administration. This is typically to provide value to a business. Therefore, a programmer in IT would be someone working on business applications, quite often revolving around databases. Code quality may be compromised because of the "it works good enough to support the process" aspect. A programmer in CS would be someone developing applications in the technology or scientific fields. Quite often, these applications have a wider, less forgiving audience - the software is the company's line of business. More skilled programmers may be required. Lower level languages may be used. More testing may be required. I've only worked in IT, as a programmer. If the OP really did mean "sys admin" when referring to IT, I would recommend against it, even if he wants a career as a business programmer some day. The experience just wouldn't be there. I would also assume that ten years experience writing business applications will not go as far ten years experience programming for a tech company, when wanting to make the switch.

Judging by the headline, I suppose Google wants to turn all PCs into dumb terminals therefore stagnating all consumer PC makers and suppliers' margins by de-emphasizing local hardware (consumers would only need netbooks afterall). Somehow I think the collective ingenuity of companies who depend on local hardware and software will not bow to Google (this includes Intel, Dell, Apple, etc., etc.). Just like Android, I'm sure it's not exactly what the rumor mill speculates. I'm hoping it's just another OS choice for consumers, and nothing more. Choice = good.

It's a neat contest, but I'm really not sure how it helps their customers at this point. We're talking about the decision-making process human beings go through to decide how they wish to be entertained. I favor some movies just because I enjoyed them as a whole, and their algorithm will not be able to be granular enough to figure out exactly why I like something. On the other hand, having a suggestion system is very helpful. I'd would be pleased to be reminded of a summer comedy that I perhaps forgot about. However, there just aren't enough movies out there that I would skip over one had it not been for their algorithm.

...as long as they install a BS detector on their phone system to help the consumer determine if they're getting the run around.

>>"Looking back, it's almost impossible to believe that for most of the 1990s, a single company, Network Solutions, had a government-issued monopoly on registering domain names on the Internet." ---Yes, it's amazing that when a brand-new industry formed, there was initially a single dominant company performing a service. We all know that never happens. Usually, an entire slew of stable companies pops up out of thin air and immediately begin filling those service needs.

Since the word "beta" was used to describe the software to be tested, that should disallow any minor feature enhancement? It will probably be close to a year before you can get this software on a PC. Plenty of time to add minor features. I mean, that's what, double the release cycle between Ubuntu releases?

Haven't been in this exact situation, but who implied that you would be leaving on bad terms? I'm sure everyone you report up to and through, and everyone you work with have not all come to that collective opinion. If it's simply your direct supervisor, I would be suspicious of his or her reference even if I appeased him. If someone has the capacity and the tendency to be a jerk, then I don't think there's a whole lot you can do to avoid it. Just be sure to list plenty of references for the new company -- people you work with at the current company who will give you great references based on your ability. Since you've already accepted the new position, you might consider informing your new employer about the situation.

This is totally AT&T's fault. However, I do understand that their system was recording his data usage according to International rates. How hard would it be to include a small area of text on mobile devices to display your current rate? I've never been a fan of "just use it, we will tell you how much it ended up costing you at the end of the month." He could have avoided a lot of headache if he had known his connection was screwed up when he originally started watching the game.