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News of The Day 4/5/2010

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iPad. iPad. And iPad. Oh and some other must-know geek news!

Career:
Did you know there's a company that makes money disputing unemployment claims? There is, and it's getting a lot of attention these days. I'd stay aware of this since it could affect you, if unemployed, and sounds like a scandal waiting to happen.

How to get noticed in your career. Very simple. So simple I could summarize it, but I'll make you read the article. It's good advice period for any career level.

Accenture is hiring a load of people.


Economics/Geekonomics:
CEO's are usually overpaid and here's why. Beyond raising your blood pressure, a reminder of financial and organizational issues the US economy faces – and issues that may bring up more regulation in the future.

THE GIANT IPAD ROUNDUP:
Who seems to get iPad distribution and pricing, who doesn't. Thoughts and theories for those of you working in media and publishing. Some ideas out there are good but some are shockingly stupid – and I agree with the author the iPad and related tech is not a place to copy old, dying practices.

A look at two different game companies adapting to the iPad. Some good stuff here about adaption, innovation, and what the market means.

300,000 iPads sold day one, 250,000 e-books sold same

How Amazon can come out ahead of the iPad – Great stuff here that makes a lot of good points, including Amazon's strong social presence.

Jumping on the bandwagon, we have an iPad compatable vest. I have no words.

EVERYTHING NOT IPAD RELATED:
Comics:
Lawsuit between Stan Lee Media (but not Stan Lee) and Marvel settled in Marvel's favor. Might have some hints of what'll happen with the Kirby estate mess?

Publishing:
OK it's vaguely iPad-related, but some interesting ideas and examples on where print can go. These articles are a dime a dozen, but this one has some real-life examples and interesting speculation.

Social Media:
Can Twitter predict movie success? So say some researchers. In fact it could be used for other estimates. I'm intrigued by the potential use in many areas, but I'm wondering if there's an 'awareness issue' – the more people are aware of Twitter's use in research, the more Twitter use will change.

Technology:
A new iteration of the iPhone Operating system is on it's way.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Oh, let's get it out of the way – do you think the iPad's strong start is a sign of things to come?

-Steven Savage

Weekly Exercise: The Core Of Networking

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Good at networking?  Bad at networking?  Either way, you're gonna have to network in your career, and frankly, it's lot of fun.

This Weekly Challenge is to start taking a look at how people connect with you.

How they connect with you?  Yep, forget you connecting with them.  We're going to look at why people connect with you.  We're going to look at why people WANT to connect with you.

Good networking is fun, friendly, and win-win.  If you realize that you have something to offer then you can find it easier to connect with others – because you're thinking about them.  No one wants to connect with someone who's selfish.

So here's your challenge:
Write down all the reasons that people would want to connect with you and get to know you.  There may be:

  • Skills you can help with.
  • People you know.
  • A cheery demeanor that perks people up.
  • Etc.

Go on and don't be modest.  After all this is about other people isn't it?

Now look over this list.  Remember in the future when networking, you have something to offer other people.

– Steven Savage

The Wall Goes Up

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When my IT career first got really going, way back in 1995-1996, I had applied the "modern" tools of job searching.  These were advanced things like online job ads, fax modems, and so forth.  Yes, there was a time when people not only used faxes a lot, doing it from your computer was impressive.

So as my career progressed in 1996, I was speculating on my career and noting the role of technology in the job search.  I met people who were keeping up with technology in their job searches, and I sensed something happening, a division among people in how they used technology in their careers.  Technology was an "enhancer" and people using it would get more and better connected, and it would produce a cultural shift.

I christened it "The Wall."  As technology advanced, some people would be more on the "inside", connected by technology and social understanding to career opportunities, some would not keep up on the technical changes to the job search and career building and loose out.

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