economy and the future of computer professionals

[tsj_jdb]

i just want to ask the experts out there

what do you think about the future of computer
programmers in general ... do you think the
demand will still be there in the coming years...
i learned from the news that the us economy is
slowing down, is it true? ... if it is do you
think it will have a great negative impact on the
demand for computer professionals?

... thanks!

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i eat coffee...
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[Clearcode]

In times of recession, competitive advantage is a matter of survival and therefore employers will pay to gain this competitve advantage.

Good IT that consistently improves the competitiveness of a company will always be required, rain or shine.

Luxury development will suffer, however. It is likely that computer development that has not got a direct impact on a company's bottom line (the more R&D or long term development) will be cut back.

Also some more realistic salaries will result. Whilst companies will still pay a premium for rare skills, the days of living the big time just because you could spell HTML are behind us.

HTH,
Duncan

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Ex. Datis: Duncan Jones
Merrion Computing Ltd
http://www.merrioncomputing.com

[Joe Keller]

I agree,
Now is the time when the men will be seperated from the boys. so to say. Those programmers that are truely valuable and know what they are doing will always find a job. Those that are just surviving and not striving to be better will get lost in the economic struggles. IT Salaries will always be good because the services are essential to business operations, and the skilled professional will become a more and more rare commodity. I can see companies grabbing up the very best programmers they can find, dumping off their mediocre programmers and paying the best well, still saving money by cutting out the less skilled staff.