"they're already writing apps that could be put on the App Store" What about turning him loose to write iOS code, Steve?

What about the cost of scrappy hacked up software? I find computer science degrees valuable because practioners understand algorithms, good construction practices, and general computing terms better than other generic IT workers. Especially true in embedded software design. The cost to maintain code written by hacks, and potential bugs might not be considered at this point. Pay will eventually work out over time, and, I think CS degree holders might find work easier when economy slows.

I notice that Microsoft lists 'Kernel mode drivers need to be Microsoft signed and compatible with hypervisor enforced code integrity' in their additional requirements section. I wonder if they will make developers pay for this, and, if so what will happen to the support for hardware devices that people out there already have. I understand where they are going with this, but it is likely going to have a lot of unintended consequences.

I do not think salary directly maps to the programming language a particular project at a particular company is using. Of course you should be aware of what languages the industry is using in your niche, and outside of your niche. You should hone your skills and learn a lot of different languages. All languages have unique capablities specific to their design and learning them will help you know what tool is best for a given job. A high-paying salary should come with expectations to do the job using the tools provided and expectations to have expertise to drive decisions on tools.

It is basic business, if you know C (or pick your language) and are just a programmer and well "experienced" making 150K, a company looks at your as an expensive asset. You may think you have 20 years of experience and add value, but chances are you really have 5 years of experience 4 times over. The company will just replace you with a 5 year experienced programmer or new-grad and pay them half your salary.

You need to be more than just a good programmer these days to stay in the top-earning spots. You need to constantly evolve and gain experience and never rest on your laurels. It isn't an age thing, it's a laziness/comfort thing. It's becoming more of a youth-entitlement thing, but in the end the result is the same. You stop moving forward in your contributions and expect to have your salary keep moving forward. Companies know this and weed these people out.

I wonder if the lipid oil in the eggs could be used as a renewable energy source, or petrol replacement for the numerous products made from conventional oil.

If he wins a lot then he will be declared as having an unfair advantage, and if he loses (or just average) he will be declared as having no advantage.

The downgrade was going to happen with or without a math error. The financial sector did not like the game of chicken that Congress played with the economy and now is being punished. Of course, the rest of us suffer too, but what is a little collateral damage. All the fat-cats had their short sales scheduled last week.

I find it interesting that the U.S. is number 1 in usage (most unique IP's), but 14th in average connection speed. I would have thought the U.S. would have been a little bit better (speed-wise). China is #2 in both usage and speed. Interesting... Yet another area China will soon dominate the U.S. in (once they take the top spot in usage).

OK, some challenges exist. This seems like a good opportunity to solve a problem that we may need to solve if we are ever going to get to Mars. I doubt a Mars solution will include taking off from earth and heading directly to Mars. I imagine we will need some kind of staging area, in Orbit or on the moon. Hell, we did land on the moon, and then takeoff again so we have some experience there (just a smaller scale).

I am just saying that we have to stop thinking that any time we need to ditch something we can throw it into the ocean. I am not some screaming tree hugger, but I do enjoy nature and I enjoy the ability of humans being able to inhabit the earth. I think we are rapidly approaching a point where we have a choice to either clean up our act or go down a very unpleasant path for humanity.

It isn't about the scales, it's about doing the right thing.

I realize it is more effort to move the ISS from orbit to deep space or toward the sun than it would be to just crash it. I am saying it is worth the effort to choose the first option.

The link to our flotilla of trash is reminder of how much crap is out there, and that is just what we can see. The argument of "oh, just one more piece of trash isn't going to make a difference" is just, well, silly. I mean clearly if we keep that attitude, which is SOP at this point, we are surely all doomed.

Don't we put enough crap into the world's oceans? I mean we literally have an island of garbage floating around, why add to the pollution? Why can't we, as another poster said, thrust it off into space, or, thrust it toward the sun and let the sun's gravity suck it in and destroy it?

A link to a tool or instructions on how to remove the darn thing! I have been hit by some form of google re-direct twice and the last time I just gave up an re-formatted the hard-drive (it was due for a clean Windowz install anyway).