Amazon Opens Mechanical Turk Crowdsourcing for Non-Coders: "Amazon Web Services offers a Web-based editing tool for its Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing marketplace that makes it easier for non-programmers to create tasks for others to work on together. Even as Turk is fading, businesses are leveraging Amazon's EC2, S3 and other cloud computing tools to give developers platforms to launch Web-based apps. This has spawned a nation of startups, including Bungee Labs, Etelos and Coghead.
Amazon Web Services, the Amazon.com unit that popularized Internet-based computing with its (Elastic Compute Cloud) and S3 (Simple Storage Service) services, is making its application development marketplace available to non-programmers.
Today, business users with no coding skills can use a new Web-based editor in Mechanical Turk, the popular site that lets users create a task online and turn it over to someone else to complete.
Before today, businesses with no programmers (or at least none to spare on things like Mechanical Turk) had to manually enter and retrieve each HITs (Human Intelligence Tasks), if they even could use Mechanical Turk at all.
HITS include such chores as identifying objects in a photo, transcribing audio recordings, or just researching some data. AWS views HITS as examples of artificial, artificial intelligence, because they let humans do work that co"
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Pharmacy Careers: Filling the Needs of an Aging Nation (California Job Journal)
Pharmacy Careers: Filling the Needs of an Aging Nation (California Job Journal): "'The shortage of pharmacists in California’s retail and clinical environments numbers in the thousands,' declares George Shea, director of pharmacy at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City. 'The shortage is even more severe outside the major metropolitan areas such as Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
'In areas such as Bakersfield, Fresno and Visalia, the pay is higher, many [employers] include a signing bonus, plus the cost of living is much lower than the big cities.'
The two main reasons for the shortage, Shea explains, are that 'people live longer and the number of prescriptions has skyrocketed in the last several years. Because of the volume, we need more pharmacists than ever before.'
Pharmacy Technicians
Those who work with pharmacists are also in short supply. 'There is an acute shortage of qualified pharmacy technicians in California,' reports Jeff Akens, president of Western Career College.
Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other healthcare products to patients. Technicians usually perform routine tasks to help prepare prescribed medication for patients, such as counting tablets and labeling bottles. Technicians refer any questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to a pharmacist. Given the daily need for people to ge"
'In areas such as Bakersfield, Fresno and Visalia, the pay is higher, many [employers] include a signing bonus, plus the cost of living is much lower than the big cities.'
The two main reasons for the shortage, Shea explains, are that 'people live longer and the number of prescriptions has skyrocketed in the last several years. Because of the volume, we need more pharmacists than ever before.'
Pharmacy Technicians
Those who work with pharmacists are also in short supply. 'There is an acute shortage of qualified pharmacy technicians in California,' reports Jeff Akens, president of Western Career College.
Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other healthcare products to patients. Technicians usually perform routine tasks to help prepare prescribed medication for patients, such as counting tablets and labeling bottles. Technicians refer any questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to a pharmacist. Given the daily need for people to ge"
Scoop: Building Careers Month showcases opportunities
Scoop: Building Careers Month showcases opportunities: "BCITO chief executive Ruma Karaitiana says many young people venture down a training or career path without having a clear idea of what it’s really like to work in that industry or the variety of job opportunities that might be available.
BCITO Building Careers Month is about showcasing career options in the construction industry to help make the picture clearer for anyone interested in a building career, he says.
Activities during BCITO Building Careers Month include “behind the scenes” site visits for high school students as well as a series of breakfast events and information evenings to highlight pathways into the industry, career opportunities and to showcase the benefits to employers of training an apprentice.
Mr Karaitiana says Building Careers Month has become an important tool in highlighting the benefits of choosing a career in building and construction.
“Taking on a building apprenticeship is about more than just getting a qualification; it’s about choosing a lifestyle. Building Careers Month helps get that message out there, and as the demand for highly-skilled labour continues to grow, we need more people in apprenticeship training to develop the professional workforce that the industry needs.”
Building Careers Month culminates in the announcement of the winners of the BCITO Build-Ability Challenge,"
BCITO Building Careers Month is about showcasing career options in the construction industry to help make the picture clearer for anyone interested in a building career, he says.
Activities during BCITO Building Careers Month include “behind the scenes” site visits for high school students as well as a series of breakfast events and information evenings to highlight pathways into the industry, career opportunities and to showcase the benefits to employers of training an apprentice.
Mr Karaitiana says Building Careers Month has become an important tool in highlighting the benefits of choosing a career in building and construction.
“Taking on a building apprenticeship is about more than just getting a qualification; it’s about choosing a lifestyle. Building Careers Month helps get that message out there, and as the demand for highly-skilled labour continues to grow, we need more people in apprenticeship training to develop the professional workforce that the industry needs.”
Building Careers Month culminates in the announcement of the winners of the BCITO Build-Ability Challenge,"
ADP Report Shows Slight Rise in Jobs - TheStreet.com
ADP Report Shows Slight Rise in Jobs - TheStreet.com: "The service sector pushed the U.S. job market back into positive territory last month, ADP(ADP - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) said Wednesday, though the weak housing and manufacturing industries continued to drag on employment.
Private, nonfarm employers added 9,000 workers to their ranks last month, the payroll processor said. The report was much rosier than the 66,000 net loss that economists had expected, according to Briefing.com.
ADP also revised its June figure to show a decline of 77,000 jobs rather than the 79,000 it initially reported. However, its three-month average shows that the economy has done away with 14,000 payrolls, indicating that the job market may have improved but is still relatively weak.
With major companies like Starbucks(SBUX - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr), Ford(F - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) and United Airlines parent UAL(UAUA - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) outlining new plans for layoffs or buyout deals on top of those reported throughout the year within the struggling auto, airlines and financial industries, there promises to be more pain ahead."
Private, nonfarm employers added 9,000 workers to their ranks last month, the payroll processor said. The report was much rosier than the 66,000 net loss that economists had expected, according to Briefing.com.
ADP also revised its June figure to show a decline of 77,000 jobs rather than the 79,000 it initially reported. However, its three-month average shows that the economy has done away with 14,000 payrolls, indicating that the job market may have improved but is still relatively weak.
With major companies like Starbucks(SBUX - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr), Ford(F - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) and United Airlines parent UAL(UAUA - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) outlining new plans for layoffs or buyout deals on top of those reported throughout the year within the struggling auto, airlines and financial industries, there promises to be more pain ahead."
Monday, July 28, 2008
EmploymentCrossing Lists More Than 120,000 Jobs in California Even as the State’s Unemployment Rate Hits 6.9%
EmploymentCrossing Lists More Than 120,000 Jobs in California Even as the State’s Unemployment Rate Hits 6.9%: "With the advent of a recession, EmploymentCrossing has vowed to double its efforts in searching for jobs for everyone, from the entry-level college graduate to the executive, from every job website in the US.
Reportedly, California lost 12,800 jobs in June. According to state unemployment figures released by Beacon Economics, a Los Angeles consulting firm, the worst decline was in government worker positions in the state, which fell by 6,000 jobs. Business and manufacturing jobs were also reduced by 5,200 and 4,400 jobs, respectively. Other sectors like IT, retail trade, and television have suffered comparatively less with an average loss of about 2,500 jobs. California has lost a total of 15,132,300 jobs over the recession period.
'California is continuously experiencing unemployment problems as the jobless rate is now 1.6% higher than it was in June 2007,' says A. Harrison Barnes, CEO of EmploymentCrossing. 'This is the worst level since October 2003, according to data from the state Employment Development Department.'
Barnes adds, 'EmploymentCrossing uses a highly trained research staff and technology to track down every job from every employer. The site continuously monitors the w"
Reportedly, California lost 12,800 jobs in June. According to state unemployment figures released by Beacon Economics, a Los Angeles consulting firm, the worst decline was in government worker positions in the state, which fell by 6,000 jobs. Business and manufacturing jobs were also reduced by 5,200 and 4,400 jobs, respectively. Other sectors like IT, retail trade, and television have suffered comparatively less with an average loss of about 2,500 jobs. California has lost a total of 15,132,300 jobs over the recession period.
'California is continuously experiencing unemployment problems as the jobless rate is now 1.6% higher than it was in June 2007,' says A. Harrison Barnes, CEO of EmploymentCrossing. 'This is the worst level since October 2003, according to data from the state Employment Development Department.'
Barnes adds, 'EmploymentCrossing uses a highly trained research staff and technology to track down every job from every employer. The site continuously monitors the w"
AFP: Bell Canada to cut 2,500 management jobs
AFP: Bell Canada to cut 2,500 management jobs: "The job cuts represent roughly 15 percent of the firm's white-collar employees and 6.0 percent of the total work force, said the publicly traded company, which is in the process of being taken private.
The new BCE president and chief executive, George Cope, has already slashed his management team by a third after taking up his position two weeks ago.
The restructuring was expected to generate 300 million Canadian dollars (294 million US) in annual cost savings, BCE said.
'We are moving forward with a streamlined management structure that brings everyone at Bell closer to the customer and allows us to compete more effectively,' said Cope, who also is president and CEO of Bell Canada."
The new BCE president and chief executive, George Cope, has already slashed his management team by a third after taking up his position two weeks ago.
The restructuring was expected to generate 300 million Canadian dollars (294 million US) in annual cost savings, BCE said.
'We are moving forward with a streamlined management structure that brings everyone at Bell closer to the customer and allows us to compete more effectively,' said Cope, who also is president and CEO of Bell Canada."
American Express Business Travel to Launch BusinessTravelConnexion.com, a B2B Online Community - Nachrichten-Newsticker von Welt Online - ständig aktu
American Express Business Travel to Launch BusinessTravelConnexion.com, a B2B Online Community - Nachrichten-Newsticker von Welt Online - ständig aktuelle Nachrichten und Informationen - WELT ONLINE: "During a press conference today at the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) International Convention & Exposition, American Express Business Travel announced plans to launch a business-to-business online networking community for the corporate travel industry. A first-of-its-kind resource, BusinessTravelConnexion.com will bring together a consortium of industry decision makers, suppliers, and experts in the industry’s most extensive online, community platform. Also announced was NBTA’s commitment to become the online community’s first industry content partner. American Express Publishing’s Executive Travel magazine will also provide content to the site. Designed as a place for members to connect, share and learn, BusinessTravelConnexion.com will draw together the combined expertise and wide variety of perspectives of American Express Business Travel, NBTA, industry publications, suppliers and editorialists. In addition to these affiliations, users will be empowered and encouraged to participate in online discussion boards, editorial reviews, hot topic polls, product development councils and provide feedback on what they want to hear about from the industry. Other features will include a resource center with whi"
Toshiba Business Solutions Names Toshiba Corporate Social Responsibility Award Winners - MarketWatch
Toshiba Business Solutions Names Toshiba Corporate Social Responsibility Award Winners - MarketWatch: "TBS continually challenges its regional and local subsidiaries to give back to their local communities, and the Toshiba Corporate Social Responsibility award is the culmination of that ideal. Over the course of six months, TBS branch offices document their local support through event sponsorships, financial support, employee volunteer time, coordination of fund raisers or by serving on the boards of local charities. Once submitted, a group of TBS corporate employees review the results and single-out the company that has done the most within their local community. Over the past six months, TBS-FL/GA and TBS-NY each participated in more than 70 local charity events, each logged over 1,500 employee volunteer hours, and donated a combined total of more than $200,000 to local charities. TBS intends to establish the Toshiba Corporate Social Responsibility award on a semi-annual basis moving forward."
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Bloomberg.com: Asia
Bloomberg.com: Asia: "a Japanese maker of consumer electronics, factory machinery and elevators, said fiscal first-quarter profit rose 19 percent, helped by sales of audio-visual products.
Net income increased to 55.3 billion yen ($512 million) in the three months ended June 30, from 46.5 billion yen a year earlier, Mitsubishi Electric said in a statement to the Tokyo Stock Exchange today. Sales gained 0.7 percent to 879 billion yen."
Net income increased to 55.3 billion yen ($512 million) in the three months ended June 30, from 46.5 billion yen a year earlier, Mitsubishi Electric said in a statement to the Tokyo Stock Exchange today. Sales gained 0.7 percent to 879 billion yen."
ANZ Warns on Profit Amid Write-Downs - WSJ.com
ANZ Warns on Profit Amid Write-Downs - WSJ.com: "ANZ shares fell as much as 13% after the bank said it expects cash earnings per share to fall by 20%-25% in the year ending Sept. 30 due to a worsening of the financial position of some of its corporate borrowers.
ANZ, Australia's fourth-largest bank by market capitalization expects provisions in the second half will likely be around 1.2 billion Australian dollars (US$1.15 billion), up from A$980 million in the first half."
ANZ, Australia's fourth-largest bank by market capitalization expects provisions in the second half will likely be around 1.2 billion Australian dollars (US$1.15 billion), up from A$980 million in the first half."
wcbstv.com - MTA Unwraps Budget, Trims The Fat
wcbstv.com - MTA Unwraps Budget, Trims The Fat: "New York leaders are not happy with the MTA's plans for more fare hikes, and the state is launching a new review of the agency's $11 billion budget.
State Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli confirmed that his department is looking into the MTA's finances. A report is due in September.
The Comptroller wants the transit agency to find ways to save money and consolidate services. Previous reviews found that the MTA was keeping two sets of budget records, in order to justify fare hikes."
State Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli confirmed that his department is looking into the MTA's finances. A report is due in September.
The Comptroller wants the transit agency to find ways to save money and consolidate services. Previous reviews found that the MTA was keeping two sets of budget records, in order to justify fare hikes."
Coffee Retailers Endure Economic Storm - WSJ.com
Coffee Retailers Endure Economic Storm - WSJ.com: "Starbucks is shutting shops. U.S. coffee imports are running a little lower on the year. And consumers may think twice before spending $4 on a latte when the same sum would buy a gallon of gasoline or milk.
Still, Americans drink plenty of coffee and are patronizing vendors other than Starbucks and of course brewing java at home. Some well-placed retail-coffee vendors say sales remain brisk."
Still, Americans drink plenty of coffee and are patronizing vendors other than Starbucks and of course brewing java at home. Some well-placed retail-coffee vendors say sales remain brisk."
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