Before I get to the tech news for today, I would like to vent a little bit. I just saw a story on the local news here in Dallas, TX about how roles in the home are changing due to the down economy. I’m sure we all know someone who has lost their job recently. I personally know quite a few, some of whom have just been left out in the cold by companies to whom they have devoted most of their adult working lives.

In this particular segment, the man of the house has lost his tech job and has been forced to become a stay-at-home dad while his wife continues working. I feel compassion for this man, but his wife really ticked me off. She made the comment that she doesn’t like coming home to find him wearing “her” apron and doing housework. Furthermore, she stated that she has lost all respect for her husband. Wow !!! What a B@#CH !!!

Excuse me, but how could she be so cold hearted. Maybe I have a naive view of marriage. After all, I am married to an absolutely wonderful woman. I was unemployed when I proposed to her. I wanted to wait until I found a job before we wed, but she wouldn’t stand for it. I felt like a low-life having her support me in the beginning, but 17 years later, we’re very happily married. I have a very rewarding engineering career, and she gets to be a housewife. She NEVER looked down on me, or lost respect for me. She stood by me in the tough times, and I am completely devoted to her forever. I believe in standing up for your mate, being strong when they’re not, and having each others back. My marriage is like that.

OK. I spoke my mind. I feel better now. If any of you disagree with me, that’s too bad. You’re entitled to your opinion, even if it’s wrong. Now, on to the tech stuff.

What does it mean to be an engineer today?

Herbert Hoover used to tell of meeting a woman on a ship while traveling. After several conversations over a week or so, the woman asked what his occupation was. Hoover told her he was an engineer, a mining engineer. And the woman replied, “An engineer? I thought you were a gentleman.” On Machine Design’s 80th Anniversary, the editors take stock, asking several experts what changes the engineering profession has gone through and what has stayed the same. Read more...

Tapping Industrial Waste Heat Could Reduce Fossil Fuel Demands

ScienceDaily (Apr. 4, 2009) — Tapping industrial waste heat could reduce fossil fuel demands in the short term and improve efficiency of countless manufacturing processes, according to scientists in Japan. Read more...

Beam me up a new job, Scotty

Mobile-native business networking company rmbrME has launched the first iPhone application dedicated exclusively to helping people network for jobs via their handset: beamME CV. Users of beamME CV can now send a resume, cover letter and electronic contact card directly from their Apple iPhone or iPod touch, instantly delivering their application package to prospective employers. Read more...