[dkuntz2]

I think the real question is: do they want "help"?

They're doing perfectly well. They fill their role, they do their job, they do what they want during their free time. Who are you (or anyone) to say that needs to be changed?

The last paragraph of Hansleman's post captures it perfectly:

> The Dark Matter Developer will never read this blog post because they are getting work done using tech from ten years ago and that's totally OK. I know they are there and I will to support them in their work.

[AussieCoder]

My concern is that whilst they think they are doing their job, the people paying them don't think they are doing it well enough or doing enough of it to value it. I'm seeing more and more development jobs off-shored or out-sourced not because that results in better work, but simply because it results in the same work being done more cheaply. That's great for the companies and countries that are picking up that work, but it's leaving a swathe of developers who are "mid-career" who are at risk of becoming unemployed and whilst they may get new jobs, they may not earn the kind of money they are used to.

[czbond]

I honestly think this will continue. I've seen startups, and Fortune 5, Fortune 500 doing this. I believe a majority of the development function will continue to be outsourced. I read CIO magazine regularly, and I see the development process continue to be outsourced. In addition, India, Russia, China, Thailand are becoming good development alternatives. The first round of outsourcing in the early 00's didn't go so well. However, the economics of the situation, and the increasing skill set lead me to believe it will continue. I am sure this comment will be flamed, but it's the truth IMHO. (Note: I have a CompSci degree, done a few tech startups as CTO, so don't shoot the messenger).