Remembering--And Banishing--The Bad Old DaysRemembering--And Banishing--The Bad Old Days

Everyone in the tech industry remembers the spring of 2000. Yep, that year.

Flowers might have been blooming, snow melting, trees beginning to turn green, but most of us simply didn't notice. In my neighborhood, that time was mostly memorable for the number of moving vans that pulled up to houses of formerly prosperous engineers and software developers, and which carried their belongings off to Tempe, Portland, Nashville, and other parts unknown. (Of course, other well-heeled professionals promptly moved in, and housing prices continued to soar -- go figure -- but this is Silicon Valley and it tends to operate in mysterious ways.)How times have changed. As Sharon Gaudlin noted in her recent article, "Five Ways To Know When It's Time To Find Another Job," IT professionals today are actually able to consider whether they like what they're doing -- and whether they are getting paid enough. What such people need, suggests Gaudlin, is a heads-up that they can finally emerge from the mental ghetto they've been hiding in for six years and begin evaluating their career paths -- remember when careers actually had paths? -- and consider whether they actually like what they're doing. She's unearthed some interesting pointers from employment experts on the best way to go about this.

And there's other evidence that things are turning around. A new report by analyst firm Hudson indicates that job confidence -- as well as paychecks -- are up. According to a Hudson senior executive, we're finally out of the "Dark Ages" of the technology labor market. Do I hear cries of hallelujah?

Among my own circle of high-tech friends there seems to be quite a bit of exuberance of what we all hope is the rational variety. So-called "underemployed" tech workers are again finding organizations that appreciate their skills. So-called consultants are taking down their hand-lettered shingles and ironing their khakis (this is Northern California, after all, and business suits are so East Coast). And the cadres of extremely talented workers who were forced into early retirement are trading their Medicare D brochures in favor of wireless notebook computers.

Did I mention that the spring flowers smell heavenly?

What's going on in your town? Are you seeing this technology boom resulting in more -- and better -- jobs? How is it affecting the way you think about your career? Let us know by responding below.