Another One Bites The Dust

[Splash_4]

Because I'm a dinosaur. My skill set is all mainframe related - COBOL, PL/I, IMS DB/DC, DB2, JCL & a bunch of other acronyms - & the only folks who use mainframe computers are big companies, which are all cutting their workforce or off-shoring. Based on what IT jobs I've seen available, I would need some major retraining & at 53, I'm not sure that'd be worth the time & effort to then compete against college grads or those who live in a country with a much lower cost of living.

Besides, I've spent 20 years developing my DJing into a nice part-time business. With absolutely no promotion on my part, I do about 30-35 gigs a year from repeat customers, referrals from satisfied customers, or folks who've attend my gigs. And it's something I really enjoy doing. Add to that the fact that we can live on my wife's income & medical benefits while I crank up the DJing into a full-time business & my course of action seems fairly obvious.

.

Man do I resemble that... and I feel like a dinosaur. Best of luck sir, and let's hope that there is still work for us when it is all said and done.

[Downix]

Man do I resemble that... and I feel like a dinosaur. Best of luck sir, and let's hope that there is still work for us when it is all said and done.

The world is moving back to the mainframe, with IBM and Sun introducing the "Miniframe" concept, a hybred Mainframe/Blade design. Dell and Microsoft are both pushing further in that direction, with Cloud computing, Netbooks, all becoming more and more dependent on Mainframe technology, now attached to the greater internet. The companies which canned their big iron are almost all eradicated, absorbed, or dying, and those that can embrace are poised to take over the next decade.

The King is Dead, all hail the King!

[Spartan]

Sorry to hear that the news is now reality. We'll see you tomorrow night and talk more.

[Red_Raven]

Yup I was laid off in January of last year walked out the door from the old office, across the alley to the company that had wanted to hire me a few years ago and was hired on the spot. So other then they also work for the housing industry so there is still a chance to be laid off again, I've been lucky.

If this job falls through I might have to make weaving a full time profession. not much else in our market to do, since we have very short sided politicians.

[Standard]

Bummer, hope something good finds its way to you soon.

[Sammac]

Sorry to here about your situation. Been laid off since 2nd week of Dec. and since I am #3 in sinority it has scared my wife a bit. Hope to be back next week or the week after. We have a couple a new jobs starting so it looks a bit better than the start of last year. Good luck with everything.

[fudgeman]

I hear ya! Worked for a major insurance company for over 30 years and in 2001 they came in and closed our branch. "See ya". I was lucky---I was 6 months short of 55 and they put me on unpaid leave of absence until I turned 55. So I draw some retirement. Doing nothing for a year, my wife and I came up with the current "job". We are vendors at festivals selling fudge 'n' nuts. I love it. Travel, meet people, see many of the same vendors. We are indeed "carny folks". Wish I'd done it many years ago. The point: something better will come along. Best to ya!

[cavscout]

Sorry to hear that Red. May the road rise to meet you...

[Macman]

I'm sorry to hear that, RR, but you've got what it takes to make the best of it.

[Streetcar]

Damn! Sorry to hear about that. But it sounds like you've got a fair parachute to work with. I don't know if there's anything I can do for you from this part of the country, but let me know if there is.