Hey,

I think it might benefit the programmers of the community if perphaps we started a programming club. This would be a focal point where we could communicate, share ideas, solve problems, even make joint projects.

We could use a TIG Project page as a reference point.

What do you all think?

Luke

After lots of thought regarding my career in IT, I've concluded that I really want a career change. I've been in the industry since I left school at 16, starting as a programmer, working my way through the ranks for two years - to CIO (fancy word for head of IT). Working with computers all day really takes the edge off the excitement for me, so I'm going to try and sideline IT as my hobby and business and try to change career paths.

But to what I ask?

It's been so long since I've had to think about it that I just don't know what I want to do. At one point I wanted to be an aeronautical engineer, fixing planes etc., I also wanted to be a commercial pilot - but my eyesight is not 100% which is a prerequisite.

Is there anybody in the UK who is looking for a bright, young individual to employ? Do any of you have suggestions for a prosperous career?

Luke

Hey guys,

I need an opinion on the new banner I've just created for my website, CodeSpark.

Click here to view the banner (it will open in a new window).

Please respond to this update with your opinions.

Thank you,

Luke Cholerton

Everybody, meet my winter updates theme.

Luke

I recently became curious to see what the purchasing power of the European Union if the member states do yield their sovereignty to one state, which is actually what is planned for the next few years. The following are the current figures for the current 15 EU member status (population / purchasing power):

UK (60,094,648 / $1.52 trillion)
France (60,180,529 / $1.54 trillion)
Germany (82,398,326 / $2.184 trillion)
Italy (57,998,353 / $1.438 trillion)
Spain (40,217,413 / $828 billion)
Portugal (10,102,022 / $182 billion)
Sweden (8,878,085 / $227.4 billion)
Denmark (5,384,384 / $155.5 billion)
Luxembourg (454,157 / $20 billion)
Austria (8,188,207 / $226 billion)
Belgium (10,289,088 / $297.6 billion)
Greece (10,665,989 / $201.1 billion)
Finland (5,190,785 / $136.2 billion)
Netherlands (16,150,511 / $434 billion)

The combined population and purchasing power is 376,192,497 and $9.3898 trillion.

What does this mean to the world? Well the current population of the USA is 290,342,554 and their purchasing power is $10.4 trillion. The same figures for China are 1,286,975,468 and $5.7 trillion. These are currently the two largest economies in the world. If the EU does bind together as planned then the EU would become the second largest economy in the world and one of the biggest populations. This also means that the EU's foreign policy would become stronger, as in this world money is the bottom line when it comes to military strength, and financial bribes to other countries (going on the example of the USA). But, the EU’s political motives are different from that of America – leaning further towards a mixture of socialism and the beneficial side to capitalism, rather than just full-blown capitalism. We already see strong rifts between some of the controlling countries of Europe and America, and even fundamental differences between the politics of the USA’s closest ally (United Kingdom) and themselves. Does this mean that in years to come, the USA’s global might will be challenged by Europe?