Seattle Tops in Tech Jobs
When it comes to new tech jobs,
Seattle
ranks at the top -- which is probably not much of a surprise with Redmond
nearby; I hear there might be a few high-tech workers over there. In fact, one
of my good friends from Boston was recently lured to Seattle to become a Redmondian,
and he loves it.
A report just released by the American Electronics Association (which includes
Microsoft, Google, Apple and Yahoo) reveals more high-tech jobs in what it calls
the highest-ranking "cybercities" in the U.S. Out of the top 60 cities,
51 of those now have more technology jobs than they did in 2006. The AEA also
does an annual report on what it calls "cyberstates" -- those states
with the best prospects for the IT crowd.
The "Cybercities
2008" report is the first look at the city level since the bottom fell
out in 2000. Recent data points to the technology sector "climbing back
to 'pre-bubble-bursting' levels of employment and activity," said Christopher
Hansen, president and CEO of the AEA, in published reports.
Here's a rundown on some of the report's major findings:
- Seattle was tops in adding new tech jobs in 2006, with 7,800 new positions.
- The New York area had the highest number of high-tech employees (316,500),
followed by San Jose (225,300) and Boston (191,700). Hmm. I wonder if they
count high-tech magazines...
- Washington, D.C. had the highest tech-job growth between the years of 2001
and 2006, with 7,500 new IT professionals.
- The outlook isn't so rosy in some areas, though. Detroit and Miami-Fort
Lauderdale have lost workers during the time surveyed in this recent AEA report.
How does your city rate? What does the hiring climate look like in your neighborhood?
What would it take to get you to relocate to a Seattle or other hot-zone? Let
me know at [email protected].
Microsoft Slapped for Slow Response
There must be a deep black and blue on Microsoft's face where it gets slapped
by the Justice Department every now and then. Yep, the DoJ is at it again, this
time giving a little heat to Microsoft for taking
too long to clean up glitches in the technical documentation it's required
to provide to rival software developers in accordance with the 2001 antitrust
settlement.
At a recent hearing held in Washington, D.C. to review Microsoft's compliance
with the settlement, DoJ officials stated the software giant had dragged its
feet on resolving what it called TDIs -- technical document issues. This relates
to the licenses and technical information Microsoft is legally bound to provide
to other developers interested in writing software to run on Windows.
There were apparently 1,276 outstanding TDIs in the 20,000 pages of documentation,
according to a Microsoft spokesman. Microsoft attorneys remained convinced all
those issues would soon be resolved. If nothing else, they have a bit more time
before the full compliance hearing scheduled for Sept. 25.
Microsoft being a little difficult to work with? I am truly shocked. What do
you think about Microsoft's compliance and cooperation with potentially competing
developers? I do think it's getting better, all kidding aside. What do you think?
File your briefings with me at [email protected].
Yahoo Surfs Microsoft Wave
Will there come a day when Yahoo doesn't make the news? Not any time soon --
especially when just the possibility that Microsoft and Yahoo are still having
secret talks after their much-ballyhooed deal flamed out last month sends the
beleaugered Yahoo stock climbing
3 percent.
However, sources close to Yahoo reportedly told the Associated Press that Microsoft
still isn't interested in buying Yahoo lock, stock and search engine; just bits
and pieces. Stay tuned.
If you were driving the board of directors of either Microsoft or Yahoo, how
would your preferred outcome look? What do you think makes the most sense? Direct
your comments to me at [email protected].
About the Author
Lafe Low is the editorial liaison for ECG Events.