So, how's the recession for you?

[DimPrawn]

I just quit my contract as I refused to accept a forced rate reduction. Two weeks to go before I leave. Have got a couple of courses booked the following week and am just tapping up my contacts at the moment. Niche field so I'm hopeful I won't be on the bench long but to be honest I'm looking forward to some time off as I've worked solidly the past 10 years.

Don't blame you mate. With real inflation probably in double digits any client forcing a rate cut is effectively slashing your earning power.

I know a lot of people are going to say "any income is better than none", but that's the road to ruin in the long run.

[minestrone]

The only thing that bothers me is that local places where I would eat, drink or shop have went out of business which limits my lifestyle somewhat.

That and the BBC sticking some chain smoking oik on the news every night to moan about no work and no money whilst they sit beside a 60 inch TV dressed head to foot in an Chanel onesie

[aussielong]

But that's my point. I reckon the general level of higher education in India is not up to scratch ( a fact admitted by the big consultanices in India) and that therefore Bob competition at the highest levels of technical competency is virtually non-existent.
They tend to cluster en masse at the lower levels where mediocrity is tolerated, hence all the whining on this forum.

There are a handful of excellent higher education institutions in India, but like I said their grads go to work in the US for the likes of Google, Koontface and Twatter.

The top bobs stay home and are doing very well, the B team go to the US, the rest go to the UK and Oz.

[sasguru]

The top bobs stay home and are doing very well, the B team go to the US, the rest go to the UK and Oz.

I'd agree with most of that except looking at the figures for start-ups in silicon Valley, it looks like the A-team are in the US (by which I mean the raw talent without connections).
The "management", who will normally have connections, are the lot who stay home where they have cushy numbers at Tata and Infosys, and where they will be tended to by a retinue of servants.
Totally agree that OZ and Uk get the drongos. But that suits me fine.

[Lockhouse]

Don't blame you mate. With real inflation probably in double digits any client forcing a rate cut is effectively slashing your earning power.

I know a lot of people are going to say "any income is better than none", but that's the road to ruin in the long run.

I'd already swallowed two cuts taking the easy route - this was putting me below market so time to go.

[Bunk]

I'd agree with most of that except looking at the figures for start-ups in silicon Valley, it looks like the A-team are in the US (by which I mean the raw talent without connections).
The "management", who will normally have connections, are the lot who stay home where they have cushy numbers at Tata and Infosys, and where they will be tended to by a retinue of servants.
Totally agree that OZ and Uk get the drongos. But that suits me fine.

The A-team aren't Bobs. Bob, by definition, is from the B-team at best, usually a lot lower.

[lukemg]

Saw an interesting 'item' about educashun, chap was saying that we have moved away from the 'learn by heart' method where facts are forced in through constant repetition (many are calling for this to be brought back !).
We have moved to initiative based where you might have 2 pieces of the puzzle and need to work out the next step - This will tend to produce mure creative, innovative thinkers and problem solvers.
By heart is still how it is mainly done in Asia, India, SG etc which is fine but tends to produce people who find it harder to think outside the rigid structure, speculate, problem solve etc. Of course there are always exceptions.
Makes sense when I think about many of the interactions I have at work....
Also encourages me that there is still a niche for PM, SDM type work who can bridge gap to business - Does require personality type some distance form usual IT borderline aspergers tho....

[sasguru]

The A-team aren't Bobs. Bob, by definition, is from the B-team at best, usually a lot lower.

Ah I see, Bob is a crap Indian.
We need a name for a good Indian - although as I indicated its the US who needs that name more than us.
May I suggest Brad?
Brad will generally start a new and successful company and retire a multimillionaire, like the guys who sold Hotmail to Microsoft.

[eek]

The A-team aren't Bobs. Bob, by definition, is from the B-team at best, usually a lot lower.

+1.

The best indians can either head abroad of their own accord or quickly rise above the masses when they get there.

As sas says the best with connections succeed quickly at home, the best without succeed quickly abroad. I would regard the rest as Bobs but then again I've met Indian, Eastern European and even African bobs.

[MyUserName]

The best Indian programmers are, in practical terms, no different to the best programmers of any other nationality.