Tell me about hard times in IT. I got laid off from Cisco Systems in April 2001. I'm STILL looking for work. And I have gotten over the (once upon a time ago) ridiculous concept of taking a job that pays less than 1/2 of what I was making. Nothing quite like being downwardly mobile. Now if I could only get an INTERVIEW on one of those jobs!

And what was once a comfortable retirement portfolio - well, it's worth less than $400. Than you Bernie Ebbers, you rotten scum bag - may you burn in hell for all eternity! (Former CEO of Worldcom for those who were wondering.)

But even though times are tight, for now, I am lucky enough to still be drawing unemployment. So, I have made a small contribution. I hate to equate making a donation for operating expenses to paying for EQ live, lest it raise an eyebrow or two at Sony, but EQEMU is a bargain at any amount.

Much has been posted about how wonderful the Dev's are to keep the project going. And they are, I stand in awe and wonder at the coding skills, since I have none. But let's not forget there are other parts which make projects FUNCTION. And one of those is Cash.

Thank you for all you have done, Hogie.

The problem in IT is a matter of expectations.. Salaries went through the roof in the late 90's with the dotcom bust, and every compsci grad on the planet EXPECTED 60k or more a year on graduation. All these little dotcom companies brimming with venture capital sucked up all the people could, got them use to a higher lifestyle, then collapsed leaving them with a lexus payment and 300k house to pay for with have the salary expectation. I was really lucky in that I picked well as far as where to go, but I saw it happen to alot of people. (I am in no way comparing Cisco to a dotcom btw).

My funds portfolio still looks really strong, but I invested in mutual funds rather than specific stocks so I took alot less of a hit, even on my aggressive portfolios. The biggest hit I took was Lucent (22.00 when I bought, floating around 1.50 right now).

It is a hard time, thats for sure. Daily I'm thankful that my company hasnt laid off anyone, and plans to make sure it doesnt happen, and that kind of employee loyalty goes a long way. I left IBM for exactly that reason, theyre 1st reponse to any market situation was to shed resources...

Good luck though, and Im donating my part too, giving up a Promise RAID controller and a bit of cash to help Hogie out. Its been a tough time for everyone.

I wish I was old enough to have a savings. I have already lost a car, and Im kinda back on my feet, but with a $1700 transmission which is pulling $250 out of my checks now before I even cash them, Im kinda struggling. We will get through it. I am going to update the donation list now, as we got 2 donations today since I left for work

money away!

The thing I like, when I get out of college, all computer science jobs will expect prior experience, can't get job experience if you cant get a job, can ya?

Sure you can, you just can't start out at $60k/yr right out of college, you have to be the Network Gopher Boy (tm) for a while first:)

Working on a project like EQEmu is prior experience :) Make a portfolio before that job interview with samples of what you've done.

I'm still in college myself, but that's what I do when I need some cash to eat or pay rent (college is fun on that respect) and want a small project job, even if they say they want experience working so and so years.

I graduate this coming semester with my CS degree, but going to stay in college and get a master's or two.

----
On a side note, I'm not extremely involved, but I love the project and wish I had time to be involved with the programming side. I wish I could help you guys but like everyone else I struggle along too for now :( Scholarships are expiring, loans building up, and all that fun stuff. Perhaps in another 6 months when I start my master's program I can join in the fun in development :)

I will be paying off my truck in a few months and will be building a hella nice server. Eventualy I will be hosting a nice server/login. If you guys still need help at that time.

Guys , im gonna donate a server. Hang tight until I can get it together.

Please email me at cjunky@geek.com so we can get info on what you are sending ManJones

I can't believe this...

Boy have I been away from EQ for a long time...

Now people are building their own world servers! *LOL*

I'm almost amused enough by this to send you some money to help. This is just too wild....

Ah, but you dont understand. It isn't for a "world" server, it is for the backbone of the project. When you login to eqlogin*.eqemu.net , you are hitting this machine. Also all our development versions are on this machine, not anywhere else

Take care of the project...
 

Money away via orinthical@yahoo.com

Not much but now that I have your paypal account id... Jus' Keep it going. :wink:

This might help dunno?
 

I got this email, dunno if its useable by you guys but had to pass it on.
Now I haven't checked it out myself yet(at work)

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Daniel Spring

That's good and all, but we need a dedicated box like we have now (We actually run 4 databases for our backend and all tools). As for the 5GB of transfers, we do about 10 - 15 a month, so it would be little help to us.