Something Random

MaxBurn

Storage Is My Life
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Merc what I don't like about your situation is that you seem to be vital there but they don't recognize that and compensate well. Probably super awkward to bring that up but have you discussed this with them? Strong individuals are the lifeblood of small business and one or two people there can make or break a small shop which I am getting the feeling this is? Sure in larger companies there are redundancies and competency matters less than it should.
 

LunarMist

I can't believe I'm a Fixture
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It seems to be a good opportunity, but have an attorney read the contract carefully. You should also investigate the employer. A contract is not worth much if the business goes bankrupt for example.
 

time

Storage? I am Storage!
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Merc, I sympathize, it's a tough call.

The positives include a change of both workplace and residence (you're practically rusted on where you are), less risk of unemployment for at least the next year or two, the lifestyle change that enforced days off are likely to bring, and the security of medical benefits.

The negatives include a change of both workplace and residence, the inescapable feeling that you're letting a bunch of people down, and the loss of autonomy you feel from your consulting.

The real reservation I have is the motivation behind the new offer. A 5-year contract that doesn't pay particularly well sounds more like exploitation than appreciation. More importantly, it sounds like it won't add anything to your C.V., which means that in five years time, you may be unemployable.

I'd take your concerns about your present employer's viability seriously - it's unlikely to be just paranoia - so you probably do need to do something while there are opportunities available. Have you looked for other jobs? I'm sure you're a far more attractive proposition for prospective employers than when you were looking several years ago. In the market here, for instance, you'd probably be able to do contract work as an Exchange guru.
 

LunarMist

I can't believe I'm a Fixture
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I don't see the evidence of cause and effect. There are numerous holes in that theory. I could go on for an hour...
 

Howell

Storage? I am Storage!
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Chattanooga, TN
Much has been covered regarding your move Merc but I had a couple thoughts.

Relocating might be stressful enough that you would welcome being overqualified and bored at work. Just make sure that there is an out to the contract in case you settle in nicely.

Try to sell you current client base.
 

Mercutio

Fatwah on Western Digital
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In the end I decided not to do it, because I'd be bored in fairly short order and because it would be a step down in terms of my independence.
 

Pradeep

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Runny glass
"I got my 2010 Prius this Summer via the Clunker program. It has this glitch. If you hit a bump while braking, the brakes release and you have to reapply pressure. Hasn't been much of a problem, but it could definitely cause an accident in an emergency stop."

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=17606

Whoops. I can see how for a novice driver that would cause them to plow into the back of whatever has stopped in front of them. Apparently also good fun in icy conditions.
 

MaxBurn

Storage Is My Life
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I like my ethrottle but I am thinking the breaks still need to be the real thing.
 

LunarMist

I can't believe I'm a Fixture
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"I got my 2010 Prius this Summer via the Clunker program. It has this glitch. If you hit a bump while braking, the brakes release and you have to reapply pressure. Hasn't been much of a problem, but it could definitely cause an accident in an emergency stop."

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=17606

Whoops. I can see how for a novice driver that would cause them to plow into the back of whatever has stopped in front of them. Apparently also good fun in icy conditions.

What if you hit another vehicle whilst braking?
 

LunarMist

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In the end I decided not to do it, because I'd be bored in fairly short order and because it would be a step down in terms of my independence.

Oh well. I thought you might move to a better locale with more desirable women. ;)
 

Handruin

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I meant, do the brakes let loose?

I was just trying to be funny and it may have come across as being an ass, so I'm sorry for that.

This might be a summary of the issue:

Apparently, the problem lies with an ABS software glitch that causes less than a second delay between when braking pressure is first applied and the actual brakes engage. "The driver steps on the brake, and they do not get as full of a braking feel as expected
 

LunarMist

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Maybe it needs a firmware update? Does the Honda have a user accessible BIOS? :D
Code:
 

DrunkenBastard

Storage is cool
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on the floor
The OnStar people were trying to get my FIL to resign for the OnStar pacage beyond the first free period they give. My FIL was potentially interested in the remote unlocking feature. Unfortunately, this is a work truck version with wind up windows and no central locking. So a pretty impressive feat if they could pull it off.
 

ddrueding

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I just got the new version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking, so we'll see how it does over the next few days. I haven't tried voice recognition software for a few years so I still have to get used to speaking my punctuation and not babbling.
 

LunarMist

I can't believe I'm a Fixture
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The OnStar people were trying to get my FIL to resign for the OnStar pacage beyond the first free period they give. My FIL was potentially interested in the remote unlocking feature. Unfortunately, this is a work truck version with wind up windows and no central locking. So a pretty impressive feat if they could pull it off.

:oops: I meant OnStar. What is the FIL?
 

ddrueding

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From a Newegg review:

Other Thoughts: Kingston proves why their the "ruggedized" RAM leader. My UPS person elected to deliver 4 sticks of this RAM to our 9-month-old Australian shepherd named "Mac". The next day I noticed something in the gravel driveway that looked like the new RAM I ordered from NewEgg, bare and with teeth marks on it. Further investigation found 3 more sticks in the hedge and the protective packaging chewed up into bits. Wah! Mac wasn't talking (I guess styrofoam packing peanuts in the intestine doesn't leave a pooch very chatty). After cleaning the dog saliva off the RAM's edge pins with denatured alcohol I installed all 4 sticks in my new Asus Maximus III socket 1156 MB. All 8 gigs check out fine. Good job Kingston (and UPS for initiating real-world testing of this rugged heatsink design). My case has two 190mm fans and my office now smells like dog breath. Further investigation has revealed that CPU thermal grease helps pass packing peanuts.
 

Handruin

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I actually got to stop in and visit the B&H super store in down town NYC this past weekend. I took a road trip with my GF for a family event in NYC on Saturday and then on Sunday we took a day trip back into the city.

That place is crazy busy and it's like an airport with signs everywhere, conveyor belts, people assisting you at every corner. I didn't buy anything, but it was nice to be able to have some hands on with a 5D MKII and a 1D MKIV. I found a bounce card I liked which has a handle and folds up. I also learned that in order to avoid the 8%+ sales tax in NYC, you can buy the item in the store and they will ship it to free out of state. Doing so saves the tax.

Afterward we walked over to the Carnegie Deli for a Valentines dinner. That's a fun experience sitting arm to arm with strangers while eating enormous sandwiches. When dinner was done, we walked back to the car and drove back to MA. It was a fun trip and I want to go back there this summer to spend some more time inside the store.
 

LunarMist

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Luck you. I've never been to the B&H store, but NYC in general is too scary for me.
 

ddrueding

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The last time I drove in Manhattan wasn't as bad as everyone says. Parking sucks, but you just adjust your aggressiveness to match the other drives, and it works out OK.
 

Handruin

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NYC can be intimidating, but I actually felt pretty comfortable while I was there. We walked around for numerous miles because parking is a pain. We even had to wade through the mass crowds that let out after a rangers hockey game. That was interesting.

The B&H store is worth a visit if you ever get the chance. There's sections for selling used equipment and signs and sections for just about everything else. If you've every thumbed through their huge paper catalogs, it's quite like walking through it in person.
 

LunarMist

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The last time I drove in Manhattan wasn't as bad as everyone says. Parking sucks, but you just adjust your aggressiveness to match the other drives, and it works out OK.

I'm not a city person and aggressive people are a turn off.
 
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