BusinessWeek: A new survey shows growth across the country, with higher-than-average pay. And with the number of tech grads falling, demand will only rise.

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During the past week, you may have noticed that I'm posting less here at CMS Report. I love the opportunity I've been given to blog about content management systems and pointing readers to the great articles I've read at other sites on the Internet.  Discussing information systems and information technology is not only part of my career, but it is also my hobby.  However, when the weather warms, the trees grow their leaves, and children playing outside can be heard...I yearn for a break from technology.  The other me beckons to spend time camping, hiking, going to baseball games, and simply being outdoors.

So, as I have done in past years, I'm taking a break from technology. By posting less during the summer months, I hope to recharge my blogging batteries for the cold weather that is sure to follow.  I will make an effort for the quality high for those articles I do post this summer, but the quantity of posts will be somewhat lower.  My slogan for this summer's tech break is Blog less, breathe more.  I hope some of the other blog junkies out there join me and take a similar technology breaks.  Life is too short to live and die by the computer.

As always, I appreciate help in any articles or links posted here at CMSReport.com.  If you want to help, create an account today and start contributing your own CMS stories here at this site. Thanks for your support!

"Your reputation and your character are what sell you for the next big job."

- Magalene Powell-Meeks, Deputy CIO, Jet Propulson Laboratory, Quoted in "Me, Myself, and I", CIO, April 1, 2008

"Men are making more money than women in technology jobs, about 12% more than they did last year, according to a salary survey by career site Dice.com.

The survey found that salaries for men increased by 2.4% in 2007 but stayed flat for women. The average salary last year for men was $76,582, and for women, it was $67,507, according to Dice. The gap widened last year: In 2006, the difference between salaries paid to men and women was 9.7%."

Complete Stoy from ComputerWorld

"After a big tumble in 2002, IT salaries have been climbing steadily. But for IT workers trying to regain their financial footing, a string of 3% increases makes the going tough."

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This article was posted by me a couple days ago at Open Source Community. Since my son has to get to swimming lessons, this is about all the time I have for "new stuff".

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I think I'm fast becoming an Angie Byron fan. Check out this fantastic video from her speech at the Ontario Linux Fest, Women in Open Source.

Talks about sexual discrimination and gender bias in an organization or community is always a touchy subject. However, Angie does a great job in discussing this important topic. In the talk, she brings a perspective that is not only based by personal observation but also some interesting statistics. Watch the video and let us know what you think. Better yet, if you're impressed with Angie and want to leave her some kind words, you can always leave comments at her site's blog.

"More than half of IT consultants with 20-plus years of experience earn nearly $100,000 a year, PayScale says."

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ComputerWorld has an article geared for IT professionals desiring another job.

Seven steps to take now for a better job in '08 - It's not the kind of thing you can cram for. If you want a better job in '08, now is the time to hone your skills, strengthen your social networks and boost your visibility in the office.

I'm personally happy with my own job and don't really plan to move anywhere.  The fact is the grass usually does appear greener on the other side then it actually is.  Though, I can  still dream.  No more IT security reports.  Lots more money.  Flexible shift hours.  A position as a CEO knowing just as much about IT as the CIO.   An organization that understands the the true value of IT in strategic planning.

Ugh...now I'm so unhappy.  Stupid IT dream...

"Have you spoken with a high-tech recruiter or professor of computer science lately? According to observers across the country, the technology skills shortage that pundits were talking about a year ago is real (see "Workforce crisis: Preparing for the coming IT crunch").

"Everything I see in Silicon Valley is completely contrary to the assumption that programmers are a dying breed and being offshored," says Kevin Scott, senior engineering manager at Google Inc. and a founding member of the professions and education boards at the Association for Computing Machinery. "From big companies to start-ups, companies are hiring as aggressively as possible."

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"CIOs say their role will shift sharply away from operational oversight and technical details so they can concentrate on setting strategy and innovation. But is that what the boss wants?"

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