Article By GREG IP in Wall Street Journal
Highlights -
A four-year college degree, seen for generations as a ticket to a better life, is no longer enough to guarantee a steadily rising paycheck.
In the economic expansion that began in 2001 and now appears to be ending, the inflation-adjusted wages of the majority of U.S. workers didn't grow, even among those who went to college. The government's statistical snapshots show the typical weekly salary of a worker with a bachelor's degree, adjusted for inflation, didn't rise last year from 2006 and was 1.7% below the 2001 level.
College-educated workers are more plentiful, more commoditized and more subject to the downsizings that used to be the purview of blue-collar workers only. What employers want from workers nowadays is more narrow, more abstract and less easily learned in college.
To be sure, the average American with a college diploma still earns about 75% more than a worker with a high-school diploma and is less likely to be unemployed. Yet while that so-called college premium is up from 40% in 1979, it is little changed from 2001, according to data compiled by Jared Bernstein of the Economic Policy Institute, a liberal Washington think tank.
A variety of economic forces are at work here. Globalization and technology have altered the types of skills that earn workers a premium wage; in many cases, those skills aren't learned in college classrooms. And compared with previous generations, today's college graduates are far more likely to be competing against educated immigrants and educated workers employed overseas.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Don't Eff with the IT Department
Link - A network administrator has locked up a multimillion dollar computer system for San Francisco that handles sensitive data and is refusing to give police the password, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday.
The employee, 43-year-old Terry Childs, was arrested Sunday. He gave some passwords to police, which did not work, and refused to reveal the real code, the paper reported.
The new FiberWAN (Wide Area Network) handles city payroll files, jail bookings, law enforcement documents and official e-mail for San Francisco. The network is functioning but administrators have little or no access.
Childs, who remains in custody, is accused of improperly tampering with computer systems and causing a denial of service, said Kamala Harris, San Francisco's district attorney, on Monday afternoon.
"The bail has been set at $5 million, and the exposure in this case if he were convicted on all counts would be seven years in prison," Harris said.
Harris said it's unknown why Childs tampered with the system. The Chronicle, however, reported that Childs was disciplined recently for poor performance. Childs worked in the Department of Technology for San Francisco, making close to US$150,000 a year, the paper reported.
City officials told the paper that Childs may have caused millions in damage while also rigging the network so that other third parties could monitor traffic, posing a huge data security risk. He is also alleged to have installed a tracing system to monitor communications related to his personnel case.
Let me say this - this guy is the epitome of gangsta. To hold the power of the city's payroll system in his hand and say no, "I'm not giving you the password" is the bomb. Then have a tracking system let him no what is being said about his case so he could possible go back and mess with the people that were against him some more....Priceless.
The employee, 43-year-old Terry Childs, was arrested Sunday. He gave some passwords to police, which did not work, and refused to reveal the real code, the paper reported.
The new FiberWAN (Wide Area Network) handles city payroll files, jail bookings, law enforcement documents and official e-mail for San Francisco. The network is functioning but administrators have little or no access.
Childs, who remains in custody, is accused of improperly tampering with computer systems and causing a denial of service, said Kamala Harris, San Francisco's district attorney, on Monday afternoon.
"The bail has been set at $5 million, and the exposure in this case if he were convicted on all counts would be seven years in prison," Harris said.
Harris said it's unknown why Childs tampered with the system. The Chronicle, however, reported that Childs was disciplined recently for poor performance. Childs worked in the Department of Technology for San Francisco, making close to US$150,000 a year, the paper reported.
City officials told the paper that Childs may have caused millions in damage while also rigging the network so that other third parties could monitor traffic, posing a huge data security risk. He is also alleged to have installed a tracing system to monitor communications related to his personnel case.
Let me say this - this guy is the epitome of gangsta. To hold the power of the city's payroll system in his hand and say no, "I'm not giving you the password" is the bomb. Then have a tracking system let him no what is being said about his case so he could possible go back and mess with the people that were against him some more....Priceless.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Report: NFL to review tape for evidence of on-field gang signs
ESPN.com news services
The NFL has hired experts to study game footage to determine whether players are displaying street-gang hand signals as part of their on-field celebrations, the Los Angeles Times reports.
"There have been some suspected things we've seen," said Milt Ahlerich, the league's vice president of security, according to the Times' report. "When we see it, we quietly jump on it immediately, directly with the team and the player or employee involved to cease and desist. Period."
There have been some suspected things we've seen. When we see it, we quietly jump on it immediately, directly with the team and the player or employee involved to cease and desist. Period.
-- Milt Ahlerich, NFL VP of security
Gang signs in pro sports gained a higher profile during the NBA playoffs, when Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce was fined $25,000 for making "menacing gestures" toward the Atlanta Hawks' bench during a game.
"We were always suspicious that [gang-related hand signals] might be happening," said Mike Pereira, the NFL's vice president of officiating, according to the report. "But the Paul Pierce thing is what brought it to light. When he was fined … that's when we said we need to take a look at it and see if we need to be aware of it."
Ahlerich said he does not believe the problem is widespread, but added that the league has spoken to some players -- whom he declined to identify -- about their use of hand signals, according to the report.
First-year players were counseled on gangs at the league's recent rookie symposium, and a video on the dangers of gangs was required viewing for every player in the NFL last year, according to the report.
But differentiating between a gang sign and something less menacing can involve some guesswork, according to at least one player.
"Guys come from all over the country, and who knows what they're really doing?" Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Dennis Northcutt said, according to the Times' report. "People have got signs for their kids, signs for their fraternities. How do you differentiate who's really throwing up gang signs?
"This is a gang sign," he added, touching his index finger to his thumb to form a squished version of the hand sign for OK. "But at the same time, it's a sign for a personnel group."
Question - So are these 'experts' on gang signs up to date on every hand signal in America? So much stuff means so much different mess in different neighborhoods, it is impossible to interpret 90% of the crap. I can make up some gang signs tomorrow and it wouldnt make sense to no one outside my "gang". Unless these athletes are blatantly yelling their "sets" out after a big hit, this is almost pointless.
The NFL has hired experts to study game footage to determine whether players are displaying street-gang hand signals as part of their on-field celebrations, the Los Angeles Times reports.
"There have been some suspected things we've seen," said Milt Ahlerich, the league's vice president of security, according to the Times' report. "When we see it, we quietly jump on it immediately, directly with the team and the player or employee involved to cease and desist. Period."
There have been some suspected things we've seen. When we see it, we quietly jump on it immediately, directly with the team and the player or employee involved to cease and desist. Period.
-- Milt Ahlerich, NFL VP of security
Gang signs in pro sports gained a higher profile during the NBA playoffs, when Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce was fined $25,000 for making "menacing gestures" toward the Atlanta Hawks' bench during a game.
"We were always suspicious that [gang-related hand signals] might be happening," said Mike Pereira, the NFL's vice president of officiating, according to the report. "But the Paul Pierce thing is what brought it to light. When he was fined … that's when we said we need to take a look at it and see if we need to be aware of it."
Ahlerich said he does not believe the problem is widespread, but added that the league has spoken to some players -- whom he declined to identify -- about their use of hand signals, according to the report.
First-year players were counseled on gangs at the league's recent rookie symposium, and a video on the dangers of gangs was required viewing for every player in the NFL last year, according to the report.
But differentiating between a gang sign and something less menacing can involve some guesswork, according to at least one player.
"Guys come from all over the country, and who knows what they're really doing?" Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Dennis Northcutt said, according to the Times' report. "People have got signs for their kids, signs for their fraternities. How do you differentiate who's really throwing up gang signs?
"This is a gang sign," he added, touching his index finger to his thumb to form a squished version of the hand sign for OK. "But at the same time, it's a sign for a personnel group."
Question - So are these 'experts' on gang signs up to date on every hand signal in America? So much stuff means so much different mess in different neighborhoods, it is impossible to interpret 90% of the crap. I can make up some gang signs tomorrow and it wouldnt make sense to no one outside my "gang". Unless these athletes are blatantly yelling their "sets" out after a big hit, this is almost pointless.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Sony PS3 Price Cut in September
Sony cutting 80GB PS3 price to $400 in September, ditching backwards compatibility
Sony just announced at E3 that it's cutting the price of the 80GB PS3 to $400 in September, and that the new model will have the "current functionality" of the 40GB PS3. So it's really more like the the 40GB PS3 is getting a capacity bump, since we're taking that to mean backwards compatibility is going out the window. That also means that the 80GB PS3 now costs the same as a 60GB 360 and an Xbox Live membership, which should make the decision a little harder for some people. We're also wondering if that's the end of the line for PS3 backwards compatibility entirely -- we have a feeling launch consoles are about to get a little more precious.
07-15-2008
The Death of an Empire - AB sold for $52 Billion to InBev
I'm sorry, $52 Billion is not just a big figure, but a large enough figure where you start forgetting where the zeros stop. Anheuser-Busch just became the latest big St. Louis name to be purchased by a rival in recent years. The impact on the local economy of those mergers has been mixed.
2007 — A.G. Edwards is purchased for $6.8 billion by Wachovia Bank, of Charlotte, N.C. The bank now headquarters its securities division here and moved some functions to St. Louis from Richmond, Va., though other jobs were eliminated.
2005 — May Department Stores is bought for $11 billion by Cincinnati-based Federated (now Macy's). Macy's recently announced it will close its regional headquarters in St. Louis, shedding nearly 800 jobs.
2001 — Ralston Purina is purchased for $11.2 billion by Swiss food-maker Nestle S.A. The company continues to house its Pet food division at the old Ralston facilities in St. Louis.
2001 — A near-bankrupt TWA is bought by American Airlines for $3.5 billion. American retains a secondary hub in St. Louis, but has cut hundreds of flights and thousands of jobs here since the merger.
1997 — McDonnell Douglas reaches a $13.3 billion deal to be purchased by Seattle-based Boeing Co. The company's massive defense unit is now based here, but employment has fallen as manufacturing has slowed down and a plant sold off. Still, Boeing remains the region's second-biggest private employer.
Next to go - St. Louis Rams (see Seattle Sonics), Boeing, AT&T
Changing mix of leading employers
While the list of the region's 15 largest private employers hasn't changed dramatically over the last decade, it now contains fewer publicly held St. Louis-based companies and is more concentrated in health care, education and retail.
2007
1. BJC Healthcare 23,500
2. Boeing Co. 15,577
3. Washington University 12,694
4. SSM Health Care 12,204
5. Wal-Mart Stores Co. 10,500
6. Schnuck Markets Inc. 10,500
7. AT&T 10,000
8. St. John's Mercy HealthCare 9,288
9. St. Louis University 8,434
10. McDonald's Corp. 7,500
11. Anheuser-Busch Cos. 6,000
12. Walgreens 5,725
13. Macy's 5,400
14. Edward Jones 4,712
15. Dierbergs Markets 4,600
1997
1. BJC HealthSystem 25,500 - Still #1, one of the few growing industries left.
2. Boeing Co. 22,800 - Never know with government contracts how long the jobs will be there.
3. Unity/Mercy Health Sys. 14,447 - Couldn't compete with BJC.
4. Schnuck Markets Inc. 12,200 - Still hanging tough, won the supermarket war versus Dierbergs/Nationals.
5. McDonald's Corp. 10,700 - One of the fattest states in the union, Super size me.
6. SSM Health Care System 9,700
7. Washington University 9,353 - Tuition is up to 40k, not going anywhere.
8. Trans World Airlines 9,000 - Now America and reduced to a hub.
9. SBC Communications Inc. 8,863 - Now AT&T.
10. May Department Stores 7,800 - Now Macys and cutting jobs.
11. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. 7,750
12. Chrysler Corp. 7,662 - Cutting the jobs as of 2009.
13. Tenet Healthcare Corp. 7,504
14. St. Louis University 6,638 - Tuition is up to 30k, not going anywhere.
15. Anheuser-Busch Cos. 5,400
2007 — A.G. Edwards is purchased for $6.8 billion by Wachovia Bank, of Charlotte, N.C. The bank now headquarters its securities division here and moved some functions to St. Louis from Richmond, Va., though other jobs were eliminated.
2005 — May Department Stores is bought for $11 billion by Cincinnati-based Federated (now Macy's). Macy's recently announced it will close its regional headquarters in St. Louis, shedding nearly 800 jobs.
2001 — Ralston Purina is purchased for $11.2 billion by Swiss food-maker Nestle S.A. The company continues to house its Pet food division at the old Ralston facilities in St. Louis.
2001 — A near-bankrupt TWA is bought by American Airlines for $3.5 billion. American retains a secondary hub in St. Louis, but has cut hundreds of flights and thousands of jobs here since the merger.
1997 — McDonnell Douglas reaches a $13.3 billion deal to be purchased by Seattle-based Boeing Co. The company's massive defense unit is now based here, but employment has fallen as manufacturing has slowed down and a plant sold off. Still, Boeing remains the region's second-biggest private employer.
Next to go - St. Louis Rams (see Seattle Sonics), Boeing, AT&T
Changing mix of leading employers
While the list of the region's 15 largest private employers hasn't changed dramatically over the last decade, it now contains fewer publicly held St. Louis-based companies and is more concentrated in health care, education and retail.
2007
1. BJC Healthcare 23,500
2. Boeing Co. 15,577
3. Washington University 12,694
4. SSM Health Care 12,204
5. Wal-Mart Stores Co. 10,500
6. Schnuck Markets Inc. 10,500
7. AT&T 10,000
8. St. John's Mercy HealthCare 9,288
9. St. Louis University 8,434
10. McDonald's Corp. 7,500
11. Anheuser-Busch Cos. 6,000
12. Walgreens 5,725
13. Macy's 5,400
14. Edward Jones 4,712
15. Dierbergs Markets 4,600
1997
1. BJC HealthSystem 25,500 - Still #1, one of the few growing industries left.
2. Boeing Co. 22,800 - Never know with government contracts how long the jobs will be there.
3. Unity/Mercy Health Sys. 14,447 - Couldn't compete with BJC.
4. Schnuck Markets Inc. 12,200 - Still hanging tough, won the supermarket war versus Dierbergs/Nationals.
5. McDonald's Corp. 10,700 - One of the fattest states in the union, Super size me.
6. SSM Health Care System 9,700
7. Washington University 9,353 - Tuition is up to 40k, not going anywhere.
8. Trans World Airlines 9,000 - Now America and reduced to a hub.
9. SBC Communications Inc. 8,863 - Now AT&T.
10. May Department Stores 7,800 - Now Macys and cutting jobs.
11. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. 7,750
12. Chrysler Corp. 7,662 - Cutting the jobs as of 2009.
13. Tenet Healthcare Corp. 7,504
14. St. Louis University 6,638 - Tuition is up to 30k, not going anywhere.
15. Anheuser-Busch Cos. 5,400
Monday, July 14, 2008
After 34 years, CBS' Packer done with Final Four
From ESPN
Billy Packer will reportedly be replaced by CBS studio analyst Clark Kellogg.
Packer, a color commentator, will be replaced in CBS' coverage by studio analyst Clark Kellogg, according to media reports Monday.
Jim Nantz will continue in his Final Four play-by-play role.
Packer, 68, will leave CBS after 28 years to pursue "other projects in basketball," according to The Miami Herald.
An announcement was expected Monday.
Speculation of Packer's exit was fueled amid widespread criticism during this year's tournament. Early in the 2008 semifinal between Kansas and North Carolina, with the Jayhawks up 38-12, Packer declared, "The game is over." (PS - Nantz didnt catch any slack for saying yes it is. Followed by "Kansas is pummeling North Carolina.")
North Carolina cut the lead to 54-50 with 11 minutes left before Kansas pulled away, winning 84-66. (I think the score shows that the game...indeed was over)
The Jayhawks beat Memphis 75-68 to claim the national title.
Packer, who began his Final Four run at NBC, later defended the comment to USA Today.
"My job is to say what I see, not have some kind of subconscious feelings about offending anybody. ... It probably annoyed some people, but I don't concern myself with having some agenda that's contrary to what I'm seeing," he said.
I am going to miss when he yells out "with the kiss", and when he keeps it real about "fagging out."
Billy Packer will reportedly be replaced by CBS studio analyst Clark Kellogg.
Packer, a color commentator, will be replaced in CBS' coverage by studio analyst Clark Kellogg, according to media reports Monday.
Jim Nantz will continue in his Final Four play-by-play role.
Packer, 68, will leave CBS after 28 years to pursue "other projects in basketball," according to The Miami Herald.
An announcement was expected Monday.
Speculation of Packer's exit was fueled amid widespread criticism during this year's tournament. Early in the 2008 semifinal between Kansas and North Carolina, with the Jayhawks up 38-12, Packer declared, "The game is over." (PS - Nantz didnt catch any slack for saying yes it is. Followed by "Kansas is pummeling North Carolina.")
North Carolina cut the lead to 54-50 with 11 minutes left before Kansas pulled away, winning 84-66. (I think the score shows that the game...indeed was over)
The Jayhawks beat Memphis 75-68 to claim the national title.
Packer, who began his Final Four run at NBC, later defended the comment to USA Today.
"My job is to say what I see, not have some kind of subconscious feelings about offending anybody. ... It probably annoyed some people, but I don't concern myself with having some agenda that's contrary to what I'm seeing," he said.
I am going to miss when he yells out "with the kiss", and when he keeps it real about "fagging out."
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