Emerging Trends affecting Software jobs

Mobile Application Development

The age of internet access via mobile is here and continues to grow at a phenomenal rate. According to an Olswang report as of March 2011, 22% of UK consumers had a smartphone (31% of 24-35 year olds) – and these numbers are only going to rise. It has been predicted that by Christmas this year 1 in every 2 Americans will have a smartphone - signifying a huge proportion of the global population.

So what does this mean for software developers?

Developers have become skilled in creating web applications, but with the rising need for these applications to be operated through mobile devices the original application can lose some of its usability. This is something that will continue to be an area of opportunity and growth within the industry, especially as the mobile platform market is yet to be monopolized. Android, Windows mobile and iPhone are all competing for the top spot and so before building mobile applications companies are having to analyse which platform is likely to give them the best long term stability.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has hit the headlines of technology news with a bang this year. With the likes of Apple, Microsoft and many of the other big guns creating their own "clouds" interest in cloud computing is peaking.

So what does this mean for software developers?

With increased interest and take up in the cloud, we're likely to see software head towards the pay-per-use route. Many applications are now bought and used infrequently, the cloud brings about the possibility of one host selling "use" of the application to many companies, offering reduced IT expenditure and a further ability to minimize spend on IT infrastructure.

Cloud is also being instrumental in turning software in to more of a service than a product. This means that certain service standards are going to apply and even become key when it comes to companies' bottom line.

Software Development Management

For a while now we have been seeing software development costs escalating. As a result the need has arisen for a better management of software development processes.

So what does this mean for software developers?

With companies looking at implementing efficiencies in software development processes, it's likely we'll begin to see alterations to the processes pretty quickly – something to keep an eye out for!

Courtesy Article Base

The power to move on against all odds

Often when we face obstacles in our day-to-day life, our hurdles seem very small in comparison to what many others have to face. The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be realised with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds are. Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a never-say-die attitude that overcomes a terrible physical handicap and achieves an impossible goal. It was in 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. However bridge building experts throughout the world thought that this was an impossible feat and told Roebling to forget the idea. It just could not be done. It was not practical. It had never been done before.
Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. He thought about it all the time and he knew deep in his heart that it could be done. He just had to share the dream with someone else. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built. Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.
The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site which took the life of John Roebling. Also, Washington was injured and left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move. 
"We told them so."       "Crazy men and their crazy dreams."  "It`s foolish to chase wild visions."
Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap Washington was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever.
He tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too daunted by the task. As he lay on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight streaming through the windows, a gentle breeze blew the flimsy white curtains apart and he was able to see the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment.
It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up. Suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife.
He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.
For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm, until the bridge was finally completed. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in a man who was considered crazy and foolish by half the world. It stands too as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long years patiently decoded the messages of her husband and told the engineers what to do. This shows us that even the most distant dream can be realized with determination and persistence.

Courtesy Article Base

Interview Horror: The Day I Broke Wind in My Interview and Still Got the Job

I was quite pleased to receive an invitation for an Interview as a Project Manager

, my previous experience included technical lead for some large bodies of work but this was the first time that I would take the reigns for an entire project. Needless to say, I prepared exceptionally well for the interview and I was confident that I would leave my mark.

Some tummy rumbles on the morning of the interview were of some concern, but there was no time for a pit stop. I didn't want to fall behind with my travel schedule because I was nervous enough already. Dressed like a million dollars I headed out on time, just as planned.

At the interview room, I was greeted by three well dressed company employees. The manager, a middle aged male in a business suit. The director, a middle aged female in business attire and a younger looking guy in more casual attire who was from finance. The ambience was one of formality, both the manager and director spoke and looked a little stuck-up but it was a great opportunity nevertheless and I wanted in!

Unfortunately we only managed greetings and introductions with fresh air in the room, on exerting my stomach muscles whilst in the process of sitting down I accidentally passed wind! Everyone froze momentarily as they processed the noise – I was busted. I apologized profusely and hoped that it wasn't going to be a smelly one. The younger finance guy had a little smirk on his face but the manager and the director were clearly not impressed.

To my horror the odor from my little accident was profusely offensive. One by one I watched the expressions on the faces of the interview panel change as they caught a whiff of the macabre gas. We couldn't escape – the small room was soon saturated and everyone was too polite to run out holding their breath (or gagging!).

Of the thirty minutes of interview time, I think that twenty five were a write off for everyone involved. Finally, when we got to the last question I felt like I needed to say something about our awkward interview because, lets face it, it hadn't gone well.

"I'd like to say one more thing", I proclaimed.
"I know that this interview was extremely unpleasant for everyone and I would like to apologize once again.

My thoughts were to run out of the room and never return just from shear embracement. But I didn't because I want to work for you so much that I am prepared to go through terrible adversity in order to reach that goal. I know that if, in the unlikely event that I am offered the job that I may be the subject of ridicule during my time here as a result of my interview. But in my eyes that is a small price to pay for the privilege of working for this firm in this position.

As you can see I will not give up and I will not run away no matter how tough the situation. If this unpleasant experience has shown you anything about me, it is that I am one who will tough it out to get the result.", I said.

And with that fine finale we finished the interview.

I was offered the job 24 hours later. Surprisingly, the director later told me that it was my composure under pressure that impressed them – not my speech. She said that I would likely be attending many ‘stinking' meetings and if I could hold my cool the way I did that interview then I would go a long way.

Courtesy: Articlesbase.com