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Robert McMillan writes that when it comes to computers, the federal government has a nasty reputation for prizing ISO standards and regulatory checkboxes above working code but now Mikey Dickerson, the former Google engineer who flew into Washington a year ago to salvage the disastrous Healthcare.gov website, says that's changing and the feds want all the techies out there to know Dickerson wasn’t forced to do his amazing job in a suit and tie.
If you do take a job at the White House, you may want to bring your own snacks, expect to work at a desk, not a couch, and hold off on bringing your skateboard to work. Still, the feds are trying to do tech in a clueful fashion. The Obama administration has opened the door to open-source software and collaborative coding. And, hey, even the CIA is using Amazon’s web services.
In a White House video, Dickerson, the new head of the US Digital Service, says he is asked one question again and again by people curious about his new job. They “want to know if I’m wearing a suit to work every day,” In the video, there’s a shot of a staff meeting where President Obama gives Dickerson and his fellow tech “hot-shots” a shout out. “They’re starting to look official now, aren’t they? They’ve got suits and everything,” Obama quips, a nod to the black jacket and yellow tie Dickerson has worn to the meeting. Dickerson tells the president this isn’t the norm. “This is literally only because you’re here,” he replies.
(Score: 3, Funny) by cafebabe on Friday August 22 2014, @04:23PM
When I read the title, I had visions of the third sub-basement filled with adult babies or something equally bizarre [bash.org].
(I'm not beyond reproach in this matter given that I spent the morning in a tiger onesie.)
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(Score: 1, Flamebait) by Ethanol-fueled on Friday August 22 2014, @04:41PM
Speaking of adult babies, I believe in a person being comfortable in their work environment, but I'm becoming concerned about grown men in the tech industry carrying their laptops in satchels.
If I see one more man carrying a satchel, I will snatch it right off of him and beat him with it until he is unconscious. For fuck's sake, guys, have some self-respect. If you want casual, wear a damn backpack. If you want class, carry a briefcase.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 22 2014, @04:47PM
People who wear backpacks are either going hiking, or children.
(Score: 2) by cafebabe on Saturday August 23 2014, @10:13AM
Some people wear backpacks because it gives them two hands free to fight bullies or thieves.
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(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 22 2014, @06:40PM
If I see one more man carrying a satchel
Do you mean a laptop bag? I never thought of them as 'casual'. Just a bag I can get crap out of quickly for the 5billionth time I have to yank the whole set of crap out in my shoe/underwear search at the airport.
(Score: 4, Funny) by aristarchus on Friday August 22 2014, @09:53PM
Satchels have a long history in male fashion! The ancient philosophical school, the Cynics, had something of a uniform that consisted of a double cloak (to double as a sleeping bag), a staff, and a satchel. Of course, the Cynics were also basically homeless and unemployed. Second, it was, during the era of muzzleloading firearms in early America, fashionable for every Mountainman worth his tobacco to have a "possibles bag" slung over the shoulder. It carried all the thinks he might possibly need on short notice, like more ammunition, a firestarter, and maybe a laptop.
(Score: 1) by pinkqueen on Friday August 29 2014, @06:26AM
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(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Friday August 22 2014, @10:46PM
It's only cool if you hold it like a briefcase, after throwing away the shoulder-strap of course. They do have handles, after all.
(Score: 2) by cafebabe on Saturday August 23 2014, @10:19AM
Before it was common to carry laptops or tablets, a ridiculous backpack was security by obscurity. A padded laptop case may provide protection against bumps but if you're in a sketchy area, it may be preferable to not broadcast that you're carrying valuable electronics.
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