Living in 2010, its easy to take somethings for granted. Not just the important things – food, shelter and warmth – but the little things – entertainment, information and communication. These qualities have come to define the digital age, and its all thanks to people in technology jobs.
Practically every type of technology job is aimed at improving the day to day working or personal life of people in the developed world. Technology recruitment is the fuel that keeps modern society running, providing both the developers of technology and the support staff who keep the rest of us on our feet.
It’s easy to forget that just one generation ago, computers were the size of rooms and a mobile phone was something out of Star Trek. That a database consisted of hundreds of index cards and corresponding filing cabinets. That life was, in short, much slower – not because you had less to do, but because everything had to be done physically. Its only thanks to the hard working people in technology jobs that today’s marvels are possible – and are even commonplace.
Leaving aside the wondrous applications many of us take for granted, the people behind the technology are tragically unacknowledged. For many, technology jobs seem unglamourous. However reality is far different from the ‘great man’, lone inventor style of history that popular culture loves to embrace. The truth is that every piece of technology, in every stage and aspect, is the product of a much more complicated relationship. Ask yourself, who created the internet?
The answer is that it was the work of thousands of different people in different technology development teams across the world. Originally, it started as a research program from the US department of defence, as a communications network between technology institutes and universities in America. The transformation from this to today’s world wide web didn’t come in a single moment, but in a gradual process that was the direct result of the work of people in technology jobs. This wasn’t just software developers and researchers, but hardware technicians, communications engineers and coders.
How the splintered communications networks of companies, governments and universities grew into the internet is a long story that doesn’t need explaining here. But it serves as a useful illustration of the nature of working in technology and the nature of technological advances. The people working on the various projects often had very little idea about the effect they would have on the world, and those outside had even less.
The same could be said for any of the other gadgets that have become central to our life. The iPhone is the combination of technology developed for flat-screen televisions, desktop computers and (of course) mobile phones. Digital television was only possible because of the work of developers for computer-based video software such as MPEGs or .avi’s. Computers themselves only came about because people wanted to build a better counting machine!
Whilst they may seem arcane and obtuse to the rest of us, technology jobs have had an effect on the world unlike any other form of profession in the last century.
Archive for ◊ February, 2011 ◊
There are already numerous hybrid cars and trucks available in the auto market. These vehicles use an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The presence of the electric motor translates to fuel economy as the engine will be relieved of its duty on low-power operation when the electric motor takes over. The electric motor in a hybrid vehicle is powered by a battery pack which is recharged by a regenerative braking system and the internal combustion engine.
Meanwhile, plug-in hybrid vehicles are hybrid vehicles which have a battery pack which can be charged via an ordinary household socket. A new technology developed by the Central Vermont Public Service can convert hybrid vehicles into plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The new technology is called as the CVPS plug ‘n go™ system.
“CVPS plug ‘n go™ gives our customers the opportunity to be on the cutting edge of reducing automobile emissions and extending vehicle mileage, and the next generation of highly efficient cars and trucks,” says CVPS President Bob Young. “Just as CVPS Cow Power™ is creating a new market for energy produced by dairy farmers, CVPS plug ‘n go will demonstrate that plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles are commercially viable and provide tremendous benefits to car owners and society at large,” he added further.
The CVPS has found a partner in the promotion of the said system in Green Mountain College, a leader in environmental studies. According to the partnership, GMC officials will drive one of the two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles purchased by CVPS. The college will then lead the collection of data concerning the performance and cost of the vehicles. The college will also analyze the data gathered.
“By converting hybrid vehicles to PHEVs, one can significantly reduce auto emissions by using cleaner, more efficient grid energy, and vastly extend fuel efficiency,” says Dr. Steven Letendre, a professor and energy economist for Green Mountain College. Letendre is one of the country’s leading experts on plug-in hybrids and other vehicles which are intended to be connected to the power grid.
“This is the next generation of vehicles, and CVPS plug ‘n go™ gives Vermonters an opportunity to be among the first to enjoy their benefits. It is important to demonstrate now the potential that new vehicle technology can play to tackle the global warming issue. This initiative, and CVPS’ Cow Power™ program, demonstrates a strong commitment by CVPS to provide national leadership on this important issue,” says Letendre.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles are already being developed for production by major car manufacturers. One example is General Motors’ Chevy Volt which is expected to be produced by the turn of the decade. Conversion kits are already being offered to hybrid car owners to give their hybrid vehicles plug-in capabilities. These vehicles are known to be more fuel efficient than conventional fuel-efficient engines equipped with knock sensors.
Dan Mackey, CVPS’ garage fleet supervisor, is looking to promote PHEVs since these are more beneficial to the consumer and to the environment. He also pointed out that: “We also want to gain experience with the vehicles ourselves to see how they can benefit the electrical system by using idle capacity in the electric system at night, using low-cost service, and potentially even providing back-up power to consumers or even backup to the grid.”
Candy store owners are likely to find the economic downturn tough on their business. Candy is treated as a luxury by many individuals living on a tight budget. One way candy store owners can keep their costs down is by buying bulk candy. Bulk candy gives the owners the product they need, while at the same time they don’t necessarily have to go over budget. This helps candy store owners to ride out the difficult times, while keeping an eye on the bright future ahead.
Bulk candy is great for candy store owners, because the product is still of high quality where they don’t have to pay retail price to buy it. While it is essential that the candy store must be filled with candy, loads of money need not be spent in trying to replenish the inventory. Bulk candy is slightly higher than the price paid by the supplier, which is essentially a cost saving venture for the candy store owner.
Bulk candy is good enough to fill candy jars with colorful fruit slices, butterscotch buttons and vanilla bullseyes. Just because the candy store owner buys bulk candy, it does not limit his products to generic items such as Laffy Taffy and Mary Janes. The candy store will be filled with a wide range of assortments much to the delight of adults and children!