My own experience has always been with NGOs, schools, and small businesses, not corporations; for that market, doing small things very well will get you pocket-money in the short term, and professional, salaried positions in the long-term.

On three occasions, my helping a friend or friend-of-a friend with a desktop problem later resulted in a full-time job (in my case, as IT Manger / Webmaster for three different companies.)

Now - right now, in the US - perhaps the single most valuable thing you can have are 5-star Yelp reviews. (In Europe, as best I can tell from a quick search, that seems to be Google Reviews: Try http://goo.gl/slSq5 and notice most of the businesses on the first page of results.)

And, simply: ask around amongst your older friends and the people you've worked with already (who like you and will recommend you), and go from there.

There are reasons why, sometimes, it's just not possible to load content with the functionality desired within the same window.

For example, right now I'm working on a project that requires me to query another server for a header that contains user-specific elements, such as message counts, user-specific links, etc.

Unfortunately, we're utilizing a fairly inflexible partner-provided API for the basic infrastructure of the site, but a branded header from a third party. Due to restrictions of the partner's API, the only server-side include that can be done requires that the connection be made without passing user-specific cookies. (i.e. the server goes and queries the brand's server for the header, but can't pass the user's cookies/credentials over when it does, thus, can only return code in that query that isn't user-specific.) However, due to the aforementioned need that the header support user-specific details, that solution isn't sufficient. The browser would normally provide this via cookies and/or session data, but since it's a server-to-server connection that makes the header request, that isn't possible until the API is changed to support passing browser variables and cookies in the query. So, in the meantime, an iframe will probably be used to bridge the gap. Since it's the browser that's making the request, the user's cookies/session data remains intact when the query is made, so the code returned is user-specific.

Is it ideal? No. Is it the only feasible way to solve the problem until the header is normalized or the partner's API is made more flexible? Yep! We don't live in a laboratory; we live in the real world. Sometimes, we're told to build something and handed a set of tools that isn't the best way to do the job. There isn't always time or flexibility to do it "right", as much as we wish we could convince our bosses (or in this case, partners) to do so. And in those circumstances, I'm glad we at least have the flexibility of frames/iframes to get the job done. I hate using them, but sometimes you're stuck between a deadline and an inflexible API, and there just isn't another option in the time you have.

"I was jes' follerin' orders, boss!"

As Meehawl has pointed out, Sprint has been doing this for years. What he didn't mention is that Sprint has offered the MyFi 5-user mobile hotspot (3G) for years, and has just released the Overdrive (4g) as well. At $99, it's sort of a no-brainer - that's what most of the single-user mobile broadband cards cost. My Sierra Wireless 3G card is getting a little long in the tooth, and this seems like a great replacement. Of course, it's not as small and easily portable as one of the mobile hotspots, but I'll give up a little room in my bag if it means my wife and/or colleagues can get online as well. Very handy. What's funny is that the article even *mentions* a mobile hotspot. But I'd rather have a 4G version, and the ability to pull it out of the car and take it with me to meetings, coffee shops, etc. rather than be tethered to a car. With the car charger I'll be able to use it in the car if I want, but don't *have* to. There seems to be no apparent reason to get this device, unless a mobile hotspot isn't available in your area. (Which, considering this article describes a demo that took place in the UK, is quite possible.)

I wasn't suggesting that they "handle" it in the sense that they would rule against it. I was wondering how they would address it politically. CCP has said quite a bit in the past about how this sort of thing is possible, and how trying to police the world against such activity can actually be counter-productive in many ways. I was just pondering precisely how they would address it. For example, would there be a drop in standings? Would some kind of world-specific CONCORD-like police force (MPs? Commanding officers? Lynch mobs?) retaliate in any way? Would that player's ability to venture out into specific areas or accept certain types of missions be affected?

I fail to see how anything I said could possibly be construed as justifying lying or breaking contracts. What on *earth* are you talking about?

Are you talking about the device itself "lying" to Apple's software? First, I don't consider that "lying", since we're not talking about a sentient being at any point in the process.

Second, even if a device delivering an invalid identifier to software *was* somehow "lying", think about these occurences that happen EVERY DAY: Forging http headers for QA/testing purposes. Replacing chips in your vehicle for better performance. Using third-party inject/toner cartridges, lenses for cameras, batteries, etc. NONE of that would be possible if hardware didn't "lie" to software. Does this hurt the market? Of course not. It helps foster innovation, which helps the market. Consider how much those inkjet cartridges or lenses would cost you if no third-party alternative was available.

Third, Palm isn't under contract with Apple not to do it, so there's not breach of contract. (Otherwise, Apple would have filed suit.)

As an aside, you may wish to consult with a professional for your anger management issues. All I did was express an opinion, then clarified what I meant. How that makes me an asshole is beyond me. And the fact that you hope I'll die for it? Yeah, maybe it's time to go back on the meds.

I wonder how CCP will handle issues of commanders allied with the opposing force, and commanding his/her forces to their doom? This *is* the Eve universe, after all...