where do you guy's work? - Page 3

I like these threads too.

Software Engineer is the title on my business card.
I am a programmer. I work on both parlor style games and server systems. Microsoft .Net mostly (this year) but in the past it was Java,C++, HTML. I work for a small company that was purchased and then that company was purchased. So there are 4000+ people in my parent company in 6 states yet our group still has the "start-up" feel to it.
I make an above average salary(for my age). However I live in the Greater SF bay area and cost of living is very High. Also my wife is a SAHM (stay at home mommy) which is hard to do in California since the housing market is based on 2 income families. XPS2 was purchased my me personally. New hires are getting notebooks now. I could have waited 2ish years at work and gotten a Dell 610 notebook. But I wanted portable work place today. And now my XPS2 is my home and work machine. Its my Life.

Its because we sit in a cube enviroment all day long infront of our screens.

I'm a self employed jeweler, 37, married with one child. I also have a small rotary engine carburetor moddification business on the side. I do some digital photography for other artists using my I9200, and I'm currently teaching myself how to day trade.
If you need means to pay off your laptop, the best thing you can do is start your own business. It doesn't matter at all what it is, and you have five years to reap the benifits at tax time even if you make zero money. Of course, you'll still have to fork out the initial investment for the notebook, but at tax time you can have at it.
Keep in mind that while the United States' Money-Go-'Round keeps us all sustained here, the government will almost pay you to contribute to it. Stagnant money is lost profit. Do the research, someone out there wants you to be productive and if they have to help you pay for the tools to do so, they will.

Because the common folk don't know how to download the Internet and print it to their RAM so they can use the forums.

-Doc

GIV,III and II pilot

Hazardous Duty pay is what $150 extra a month now? WOOT

dell direct store, 8/hr + bonuses .. paid off mine over the summer (18 freshy in college)

My official title is "Lead Systems Engineer", but I've also used CIO, CTO, Vice-President, etc. to fit certain circumstances, all with the President's full knowledge and consent. I'm basically second-in-command at a fairly small consultant/out-source IT firm. We're not outsourced as in tech support for a larger company, and we're not involved in offshoring work, we just perform all IT functions for local businesses that aren't large enough to justify hiring full-time IT staff, or don't want to go through the hassle of being non-computer people trying to screen computer-oriented applicants.

This was the only company I applied to that understood why I didn't go to college for computers. When you have the ability to teach a course that contains outdated material that involves more theory than reality, what's the point of paying to sit in it as a student? At my interview, I told my employer that he could certainly hire some young kid who has, over the last 4-6 years, spent a few hours each semester in a controlled lab environment, and maybe even threw together a PC or a server or two at home in his spare time, or he could hire me, somebody who has been in the trenches 40+ hours a week minus vacations working on live systems for the last 10 years. I pretty much got the job on the spot, and I can tell they like having me here as much as I love being here.

I do network design, troubleshooting and maintenance. I'm also an MCT, so when the opportunity arises I teach a few courses here and there. I've got over a 98% approval rating, and when I ask the 2% what I could have done to earn 100% approval, they tell me that they just don't believe in giving anyone 100% (which I think is a BS response, because if no one could earn a perfect 10 then Microsoft wouldn't put that dot on the eval, but I guess I can live with it).

I don't own an XPS2 though I can certainly afford it, but the laptop isn't worth as much (to me) as Dell charges for it, even with coupons.

I read about "virtual sweat shops" in which people in foreign countries are paid low wages to play MMORPGs so that the account can be sold for a profit. Also bots are made to do this. This sounds hard to believe..but it was not an april fool's issue...

I am self employed and have contracts with IBM, Government (Here in Canada), and various other companies. Range from Application Development, Web Development to Technial stuff like server administration. Mainly a programmer these days though.

Graduated from college couple months ago. Currently interviewing for a Job in D.C., with a publishing company, in their e-marketing department. Second interview this coming tuesday! Keeping my fingers crossed.

Hey, I don't sit in a cubicle! I sit in an office!

(Which is just an oversized cubicle with higher walls...)

When you're been blue long enough, or your team moves enough times, you'll get one with a window!

I survived Bedlam DL3!

Me too!

-Doc

I have an office too. Is a corner office with Windows.
My walls are sheet rock. But there are very large windows on 2 sides. The window on my door side looks out into a group of cubes starting about 36" away. The other window looks into my bosses office. Atleast I have a door.
But with the door closed you can still hear (just slightly muffled) what is going on on either side.

I did a few years in collage that sucked. Started computer repairs for people I knew and then found a PC support job, started with basic stuff moved onto networking, now I currently work with servers. So I’m a PC Tech/Network Specialist. If I get bored or need a good laugh I’ll help out at the help desk.

I pretty much got this computer to keep me company during my out of work period, I had a herniated disc removed from my back so I figured I would get a couple toys to keep my company. And not to mention one of my buddys has a 9300 and it was love at first sight. It took me two months to pay for it well less than that I think I got a decent deal 1257. used the $750 off coupon, and that was with the dell nylon carry case, nice bag might I mention. My job; Longshoreman in the port of boston, as a chassis repair man at the moment, Its a decent living but living hear in boston its over average income for a single male at 24. have been out of work since may 20th ordered the 8/1 recieved it on 8/8 nice and early.

Between that and flight pay, it was only an extra 400 a month for me, don't remember how much each was.

Anyway...

I'm an Integrated Electronic Systems Technician for the Dept. of the Army. Basically, I do Avionics on helicopters. I work full time for the army as a civilian, but part of my contract says I have to be in the Army reserves to keep my job. My one weekend a month job is sending me back overseas in a couple weeks for 18 months, afghanistan this time(spent 16 months in Iraq 03-04) so atleast it will be a change of scenery. I'll be over there as an Avionics Technical Inspector, and a network/ulls-a admin. Looking forward to it...

Piano palyer in a house of ill repute.

Well here is some of my story. As of now Assistant Design Engineer for a rocket government contractor. Landed in this job by the grace of God, since my previous one as engineer in a small family manufacturing bussines was eating my life away. But it was a great experience and now is paying back. I am back to school for a MS this time, and it was the best excuse to buy me nice machine. If you got to college, either scholarship, loans and other means can help you get somewhere. and yes, our Government will invest in you if you have the balls to make a man out of yourself. I got to the Mainland with a diploma, and 400 dollars. Fours years later, i cant complain, but if i had come to this point at in 4 years( and i am 30) , in 10 more,20 more, 30 more ... what can i not achieve? The sky is the limit my friends, but once you get there, youll realize that you can still go way far. And for the lappy, be creative to pay for it, OR learn patience the hard way. Life is great, but it aint free.

Wow you sound like someone who was completely burned out of IT industry. I think alot of us can relate to that