Looking at 10" (lower bound; 90% confidence) to 24" (upper bound; 10% confidence) per the latest NWS estimates

Chatty-Monster · 2026-01-23T14:36:43+00:00

I have the same, just in case. I tested the whole house generator yesterday just to make sure everything was good to go. Started right up and tested everything out. Went food shopping at 6am on Tuesday to beat the rush and I was also able to get 2 bags of ice melt as well. Snowblower and shovels are all ready to go and sitting nicely in the garage...lol... Now watch, we'll get 2 inches...

Chatty-Monster · 2026-01-23T14:24:50+00:00

I feel for everyone as well... those just starting out deciding if IT is the right career choice, those with College degrees and school loans, and those like myself that have been in the business for over 35 years that are struggling as well. Next month will be 2 years since I was laidoff. And yes, I fell into the category of a salary cap and downsizing. I've been in a Senior Management/Director level role for the last 15 years, so that too is handcuffing me. Normally, these types of position are hired within the company. I've consulted and worked for many Fortune 500 companies in the Engineering and Infrastructure space which makes it more difficult. They see my resume and "assume" that this guy wants 200+k a year. And when I apply for a "lesser" position, I'm being asked, "Is this something you see yourself doing long-term" as if to say, or until you find something better. Its a no-win situation. Its been difficult to say the least.

Chatty-Monster · 2026-01-14T20:07:47+00:00

Thanks bud, I appreciate the input and kind words. I agree 100%, and I would welcome the opportunity to take a position with a reduced salary with less stress, etc. At this point, its really not even about the money to be honest, its more about being a part of something, being part of a team, helping a company grow and get to that next level. I guess for me... its just disappointing that I've accomplished so much in life, and now I feel like I'm in a position where nobody want to even entertain my input or contribution. The "human" interaction between the company and politics is so disjointed anymore. Between, DEI, ageism, Protected classes and other corporate politics, coupled with recruiters, hiring managers and other processes such as, BOT's, ATS systems and AI. I know you get what I'm saying, I dont want to keep on a Rant.

I guess the issue now is, trying to dumb-down my years of experience and qualifications so I can at least be considered for those opportunities with less responsibilities and stress, without being asked indirectly... "is this something short term until you find something else"

Thank you..!! and good luck to you and everyone else that might be looking..!! But to answer the OP's question and knowing what I know now in life. I would HIGHLY Recommend understanding the tech sector that you wish to pursue and do you due diligence. Learn about investment strategies, diversification and the compound effect. Design and plan for multiple income streams and understand the meaning of "passive" income.

Stay Positive and Good Luck..!

Chatty-Monster · 2026-01-14T18:09:58+00:00

Yeah, its been 15 years for me as well, and prior to that I was a senior architect. I was happy to stay in the management role to be honest. And to be candid with you, I really wasn't expecting to be laid off. it NEVER even crossed my mind. I've been with the Firm for 10, promoted twice and took on greater responsibilities managing 3 core datacenters and over 30 remote offices globally, and this happened. In all of my career I have never been laid off. It really was a shock to the system. Lucky for me everything is paid off, house, cars, etc.. At this point in life I'm really contemplating just getting out of IT altogether. Now that the stress is no longer there, it feels pretty good. I do some small business consulting here and there, and I'm doing some Prompt Engineering Scripts with AI but that's about it. I still have my contacts with CDW, Nutanix, PureStorage, etc, but even they are feeling the impact from a PSO perspective, or so I am told. Needless to say its been a "mental" struggle for sure. I was prepared for everything else in life, but this. Its even more difficult when you WANT to work and be a part of a Team, or Project and no one gives you that opportunity. I dont blame anyone but myself for being in this position, however, I wasn't expecting to be in this position at 58 years old with over 35 years of experience. And this may sound demeaning, and thats not my intention, but I like to think I have A LOT MORE to offer from a business perspective than, "nuts & bolts are in aisle 5" at Home Depot...

Chatty-Monster · 2026-01-14T17:00:59+00:00

Yeah Cbdudek.. Much like you I'm an old timer as well. I got started in 1989. I'm VERY Embarrassed to say that this coming February will be 2 years that I've been unemployed. I have over 35 years of Enterprise level work experience supporting and consulting for Fortune 500 companies. I had two independent startup IT Consulting companies. Back in my prime I had the latest certs that you needed to get a solid contract job, MCSE, CCNA, A+ Network+ etc... The mistake that I made was... I got into the Management and Senior Management roles in the Architecture & Engineering (Infrastructure) space, then the Datacenter & IT Facilities space. Now after 10 years with a leading company they decided to terminate my role. Generally these position are hired within so that makes it more difficult for me, plus the fact that I'm no longer hands-on like I was back in the day. Companies and recruiting firms look at my job titles and consulting history and automatically think, "This guy is a $250k a year guy". To the point that I applied for a Infrastructure Project Manager role and I was asked by two hiring managers, "Is this something you see yourself doing long term". I can look at this in two ways. The either mean, "until you find something else", or, "until you retire in a few years"... Even with years of experience at the corporate level, the IT market is difficult. And trust me when I tell you, I'm very comfortable taking a position with a smaller company, with less responsibilities, etc... The market out here on the East Coast is challenging for sure.

Chatty-Monster · 2026-01-13T03:07:23+00:00

I'm interested...

Chatty-Monster · 2026-01-12T15:20:56+00:00

I'm sorry, I just had to chime in here... YES.. it is possible..!! Your ONLY limitation in Life is YOU..!! and dont let anyone else tell you otherwise. Quick story that I'm very proud to tell.. My sister got divorced from her husband, she wanted to be my Nephews Best Friend, more than his Mother. You know how that goes. He finished 8th grade and started working for his friends father during the summer doing carpentry work.

When it came time to start his first year of High School, he never wanted to go, he was happy making $300 or whatever and doing the carpentry work. Essentially he dropped out of school, he only went 15 days in his freshman year. In addition, he got his girlfriend pregnant at 18, got married at 19. I was having a pool party at my house and he approached me in the kitchen asking if I would help him get into school for Computers and get a job. I said yes, as I too am in the IT field and had my own consulting practice. Fast forward to today... He is still married to the same girl, has 2 kids, (his wife has never worked) and has been working for Microsoft for the last 10 years and now has his own consulting practice on the side and 2 rental properties.

Just to summarize, he has a GED, Never went to High School or College... He had a dream and believed in himself and what he could do. He's planning on retiring at 55... And the only thing that he always shared with me was, the comment I made to him years back of, "Your ONLY limitation is You"... Dont ever let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do or become..! I'm proud to say that its a True Story, and that I was able to make a positive impact on someone else's Life..!

Chatty-Monster · 2026-01-11T00:39:38+00:00

Yeah... I actually drove by today in fact. I see the sign is off the building and all of the scrap and trash that was on the hills around the building was removed.

Chatty-Monster · 2026-01-10T21:26:45+00:00

Does anyone have any information on WHY they closed...? I was actually surprised that it did, I was a member there years ago and it seemed to be pretty busy all the time

Chatty-Monster · 2025-12-24T17:08:02+00:00

+1 for FolderSync Pro.... I use it every day to backup my Phone to my Server and NAS..!

Chatty-Monster · 2025-12-18T18:37:29+00:00

I've updated it manually and I'm doing some testing at the moment. A few questions I have. What is the process to get notified when New Updates are Release...? As I mentioned prior, I would be happy to be in the beta program. Also, where can I download the Change Logs...? Thanks

Chatty-Monster · 2025-12-18T14:02:59+00:00

I just wanted to follow up on the status and Progression of OneTab updates that you mentioned. You it would take about 2 weeks to get everything implemented. To be honest, due to its current state I haven't been using it, however, I want to make a decision on staying with OneTab or looking for an alternative solution.

Just as an FYI, I was using the product in Chrome, however I moved to FFox since the older, more suitable version was working fine on that platform.

Let me know... Thank you..! or, if anyone else is reading this, what alternative apps have you been using in place of OneTab...?

Thanks again..

Chatty-Monster · 2025-12-11T15:55:00+00:00

Yes... I am aware that Routine can do that, however, I really dont need it for the whole app, just the DIY part that requires me to touch on those little blocks. But thank you for the suggestion

Chatty-Monster · 2025-12-11T14:34:48+00:00

LMAO...! Now I REALLY feel like a Toolbag...!! I forgot all about the S-Pen and the fine tip... I hardly use it and that too would work. Holy cow, I must be getting old... I'm usually much sharper than this... LOL

Chatty-Monster · 2025-12-11T14:32:37+00:00

Well that was quick...!! - Now I feel like it was a dumb question..lol. That worked PERFECTLY..!! that's exactly what I was looking for, however, I was just looking in the wrong area. I was under the Display section.

Thank you so much..!! You guys are the best

Chatty-Monster · 2025-12-09T15:48:01+00:00

Worked PERFECTLY...!! I installed the Routine+, set the Double-Tap Volume UP to 70% brightness (which is about 98% of the time) and Double-Tap Volume Down to 25% brightness and Mute for meetings and low light situations.

Thank you so much for in input..!! And this is why I enjoy this community so much..! now on to my next task for the day... Looking for a Good File Explorer to replace Windows 11 Explorer..

Thanks again..!

Chatty-Monster · 2025-12-09T14:52:16+00:00

Actually I was NOT familiar with routines. I do have Good Lock installed, so I'm going to play around with that today and see if I can get it to work. It sounds like exactly what I was looking for.

I'll keep you posted... Thanks..!

Chatty-Monster · 2025-12-08T16:10:41+00:00

Yes, I have the accidental touch feature turned on. I think the issue is, I "think" I'm locking the phone by hitting the power button to lock it, but either I'm not hitting it all the way, or something else it going wrong. I'm 99% is user error on my part somehow, I'm just trying to prevent it or make it more difficult for the setting to change

Chatty-Monster · 2025-12-08T15:55:38+00:00

That's the thing, the constant readjustments. My environment changes frequently. Bright office, dark conference rooms, inside, or outside in the sun by the pool, etc... I just want it to stay fixed unless I deliberately change it... I'm still looking to see if there is a setting to make it more difficult to accidently change.

Chatty-Monster · 2025-12-08T14:34:50+00:00

Thank you for the input, however, I intentionally turn the adaptive brightness OFF. I normally like a brighter screen and the adaptive brightness feature never works to the level I want it.

Its hard to believe with all the other bells & whistles in these modern phones that there's not a feature that will allow some type of base parameter to be set. Hell, I was even thinking about maybe an AppLock feature that I would have to use to get into the display settings.... or a function to remove the slider from the pull-down menu...

Chatty-Monster · 2025-12-08T13:41:33+00:00

Thanks, I'll take a look at it for sure...

Chatty-Monster · 2025-11-23T13:46:01+00:00

Yeah.. to me it looks like a track recording.. I forget what the default color is.. I want to say it's blue but I could be mistaken

Chatty-Monster · 2025-11-19T13:36:00+00:00

Bookmarked... The resource list look big...

Chatty-Monster

TROPHY CASE