Info on Dallas

[wihadmin]

I think there are several folks here from the Dallas/FW area. Can you guys give me some info?

I'm looking to bail from my present employer here in Chicago. I'm in the IT side, doing Release Management/Source Control Management. I manage tools like IBM/Rational ClearCase/Clearquest. I'm open to relocating so I'm looking for other cities to call home if opportunities allow. Places that I like to live: Dallas, Phoenix, San Diego, Cancun, etc...

How's the job market in the Dallas/FW area? My impression is that it's a booming software industry there. Is that true?

Thanks for any info!

[DinkyPoopStick]

How about beutiful Cedar Rapids, Iowa?
http://www.rockwellcollins.com/

[MajorPayne]

From what I understand, Dallas does have a large software market, It is the birthplace of gaming, one company that pops into my mind when thinking of Dallas is ID software, but there are many more. I want to live there someday, but thats because I want to get into the game development business.

[SLCoran]

Plano is just North of Dallas and it is called the Information Corridor. TI is here as well as Verio. I can ask around for you if you like. I don't know that many techies after the crash in 2001.

[jwolly2]

I moved to Dallas after school, and have been working here as a programmer / DBA ever since (going on 7 years now)... However, it's been for one company, so I haven't really tested the market.

From what my friends / co-workers are telling me, the market here has started to bounce back. Those that have been let go or searched for jobs on their own have been able to find something (better) relatively quickly.

If you have any other questions about the city / suburbs, let me know. I've been here for ~17 years now (minus 5 years of college), so I'm pretty familiar w/ the area.

I don't think we're currently looking for anyone on the Release Management/SCM side, but I might be able to pass your resume on to a few people, if that's what you're looking for as well.

[wihadmin]

Very cool! Thanks for info guys!

What is the weather like? What months are really really hot and what months are nice?

[ICEPICK]

Very cool! Thanks for info guys!

What is the weather like? What months are really really hot and what months are nice?

LMAO 8 are really hot 2 are sorta hot 1 is nice & one is chilly lol

[LeakyNavel]

Ok I've lived in Dallas (Irving) for 21 years now. there are 2 seasons. Winter and summer. Spring and fall last for only 2 weeks so they don't count. Summer starts at the end March and ends the middle of November (2 weeks in to deer season)

a few things to know about Dallas:

If you get pulled over for speeding and the officer asks "How bout them Cowboys?" you better make something up other wise you are getting 2 tickets.

It's legal to have open container in your car long as the driver isn't drinking.

Traffic is a bitch.

Distance in measured in Beers not miles. (the time takes to drink one beer) I live about 6 beers from SLCoran. but SLCoran may only live 4 beers from me.

Remember it's "y'all" not "you all" or for you ppl from jersey it's not "use guys"

you don't get ready to do anything you are "fixing to" as in "I'm fixing to go get me some more beer, y'all wanna come?"

and there are only 3 things a Texan is scared of
A mexican with a kinfe
a black guy with a shotgun
and a Yankee with a U-Haul

Welcome to Texas.... now go home...

Oh all Sodas are Cokes.... "You wanna a Coke?" "Yep" "what kind? We have Dr Pepper or Pepsi"

[wihadmin]

Does that mean it's really really HOT between March and November?

[dbodenheim]

If you really want more info on Dallas, watch the documentary "King of the Hill."

[SnaKe]

Good ones Leaky!

I lived in Arlington for 10 years. Loved DFW. My dad still lives in Quinlan on Lake Tawakenee(sp). Right on the lake. It's a beautiful place!


GO COWBOYS!!! :bow: to former Coach Landrey!

You have to be able to deal with a lot of humidity in the South and DFW is no exception. BUT, it's not near as bad as sauna city aka Houston, right ICEPICK? :hehehe:

[SalemSaberhagen]

I live about an hour from Dallas... it gets pretty hot about mid june until about mid august... then it cools down quite a bit... but the weather changes basically constantly... will be the sunniest thing ever out and then suddenly cloudy and raining and stuff.

And yeah... you would be close to iD software and where they hold QUAKECON!!!


PS. I just had my electricity cut off for a few days for a repair :\.

[ICEPICK]

Good ones Leaky!

I lived in Arlington for 10 years. Loved DFW. My dad still lives in Quinlan on Lake Tawakenee(sp). Right on the lake. It's a beautiful place!


GO COWBOYS!!! :bow: to former Coach Landrey!

You have to be able to deal with a lot of humidity in the South and DFW is no exception. BUT, it's not near as bad as sauna city aka Houston, right ICEPICK? :hehehe:


Remember this to make yourself a true Southerner................ Its not the heat its the Humidity

[Multiplex]

Good ones Leaky!

I lived in Arlington for 10 years. Loved DFW. My dad still lives in Quinlan on Lake Tawakenee(sp). Right on the lake. It's a beautiful place!


GO COWBOYS!!! :bow: to former Coach Landrey!

You have to be able to deal with a lot of humidity in the South and DFW is no exception. BUT, it's not near as bad as sauna city aka Houston, right ICEPICK? :hehehe:


Remember this to make yourself a true Southerner................ Its not the heat its the Humidity

Exactly! And that's why Arizona > Florida. It's like living in the bottom of a frigging soup bowl down here in July/Aug.

[karl_58sow]

How about beutiful Cedar Rapids, Iowa?
http://www.rockwellcollins.com/

Yo I'm from iowa =P Ankeny tho

[GroovyDude]

I prefer Florida heat as opposed to Nevada heat, and here's why:

Florida heat, you feel on your body whereever the sun is hitting you. In other words, if you're walking you'll feel it on your head, neck, and upper back. The summer months are hot, but we rarely break 100% and if you live on the coast and have somewhat of a breeze off the ocean that cools the temps down a bit.

Nevada heat (dry heat) is like sitting inside of an oven, you feel it all over. And any breeze you may feel is equivalant to a person following you around pointing a hair dryer in your direction. Additionally, the dryness makes you 10x more prone to static electricity. :yuck:

[Kernel Error]

Good ones Leaky!

I lived in Arlington for 10 years. Loved DFW. My dad still lives in Quinlan on Lake Tawakenee(sp). Right on the lake. It's a beautiful place!

OMG i live in alington also :rockon: :rockon: :rockon: :rockon: :rockon:

[SalemSaberhagen]

Lol we should meet up sometime... I live about half an hour from Arlington. Would be fun to meet up with some of you :\.

[Kernel Error]

hell yeah would be cool... :rockon:

[SLCoran]

I would prefer the dry heat to the Aug. temps of 100 w/ 90% humidity :thumbsdown: any day. If you like trees be prepared to drive 10 beers from Dallas and if you like different types of trees add another 10 beers to that. On the plus side there is alway something to do within 8 beers of Dallas because we do have almost everything here.

[FozzyBear]

I'm not sure about any jobs specifically in Dallas, but there are plenty of jobs up and down the I-35 corridor......and I guess Houston too :)

DFW, Austin, San Antonio, all jump out.


BTW they passed a law a couple of years ago, you can't have an open container in the car any more :thumbsdown: :upyours: :thumbsdown: :crazy:

[ICEPICK]

Just rememeber this.......... If you ever in a hurry & the clothes you have on have a few wrinkles................ Just walk outside in the Fabulous Humidity & wallah no more wrinkles lol...........

[LeakyNavel]

BTW they passed a law a couple of years ago, you can't have an open container in the car any more :thumbsdown: :upyours: :thumbsdown: :crazy:

Oh I thought it was only the driver. When i first moved down here there was no open conatiner laws. matter of fact if you got pulled over and didn't have a cold beer on you you got an extra ticket.... Come to think of it insurance wasn't required either. Damn yankees come down here and screw everything up. :D

[FozzyBear]

[quote=FozzyBear]... Damn yankees come down here and screw everything up. :D
:rockon: :rockon:

[jwolly2]

Oh I thought it was only the driver. When i first moved down here there was no open conatiner laws. matter of fact if you got pulled over and didn't have a cold beer on you you got an extra ticket.... Come to think of it insurance wasn't required either. Damn yankees come down here and screw everything up. :D

Haha... Sadly, Fozzy if right. They changed the law a few years ago.
http://www.texassafetynetwork.org/issues/drinking_driving/open_container.php

[FozzyBear]

If I get pulled over and I have several empty beer cans on the floor of my car, am I breaking the open container law?

The open containers must contain some alcohol in order for a violation to occur.

I've heard stories of less than a swallow left in the can, and getting ticketed. :thumbsdown:

Seriously makes you consider the littering fine VS. the open container fine/charge.



Ok, back on topic. Sorry WIHADMIN :) Damn fine jobs in Texas[/i][/b]

[wihadmin]

I'm really hoping to keep this thread on topic as I am serious about looking for jobs in other parts of the country.

[DinkyPoopStick]

I'm really hoping to keep this thread on topic as I am serious about looking for jobs in other parts of the country.
did you look at RockwellCollins?
VERY good company, very family oriented, for example, for the holidays the whole plant closes from Dec 22 till Jan 3. paid holidays. that with the addition of the 3 weeks payed vacation every year, get close to 6 weeks off every year. nice bonuses and they pay very well

[wihadmin]

I didn't look at Rockwell Collins. Is that where you are Dinky?

[DinkyPoopStick]

I didn't look at Rockwell Collins. Is that where you are Dinky?
yes, started may.
I left florida to come here, i had offers from here and the US patent office in DC, but i took this job because of the comapany and the area. Patent office offered more, but with lower cost of living and top notch perks i came here. cedar rapids was ranked top 10 in like 5 different living surveys, like #1 safest drving, and lowest commute in the US. I think other things were like top 10 schools, low crime..... it's just a really nice place to live and it has all the amenites of a big city, but the small town feel.
side note, I hear it has the highest number of engineers per capita in the US.
www.rockwellcollins.com
we do many things like GPS and radios, but best known as 1 of the top 2 (#1 or #2 depending on which avionic device you are talking about) Avionics Company in the world.

[wihadmin]

I want the job of the guy that goes to the US Armed Forces to sell new military technology.

[DinkyPoopStick]

we have those people too, apply for it
oh and we do a have facilities all over the world. but 2nd largest plant is Melbourne Fl. I interviewed for the same job there with the same manager, but he asked if i wanted Fl. or IA. I told him Ia

[monos]

have you looked into San Jose Area? it is called silicon valley

[SnaKe]

have you looked into San Jose Area? it is called silicon valleyI've heard of that! :hehehe:

[FozzyBear]

I want the job of the guy that goes to the US Armed Forces to sell new military technology.

We have FT. HOOD here, and a few other army/airforce bases scattered in Texas. I'm not sure how you would get on there though. I'll ask around at work. There are several people's spouses that are contracters. I know that previous military experience helps, but is not a requirement for all the jobs.

[SLCoran]

As far as Dallas (Texas even) goes the computer jobs are a bit thin. We have a guy at work that was searching the nation for a good job before they hired him perm. and he said try the east coast they are booming. Another guy said try a Temp Co. named Paladin, they seem to be placing people in computer jobs down here. He said they are placing people in companies like TI and other large technology companies. Check with Bell helo and Boeing both are located here.

Best I can do for now will keep my ears open. :thumbsup:

[wihadmin]

Resurrecting a old thread as I'm still looking at the Dallas area.

Weather: Really hot between June and August. How about the other months? 80's, 90's, 100+ degrees?

Companies: ID, Gearbox, TI. What other software companies are there in the area?

Thanks!

[LeakyNavel]

It's nice about 1/2 the year. The end of june till mid sept it's hot as hell.

Motorola, tandy, national Semi-conductor, microsoft has offices here. EDS and a bunch of military contractors. Not really software companys but....

[SLCoran]

Weather isn't too bad outside the summer months it dips to the low 30's in the winter for like a week or so nothing like you are used too, spring and fall range 60's-80's with rain.

A word about Texas weather, "If you don't like the weather wait 5 mins."

I know of Ratheon and I think EDS are here. I'll post more as I think of them. If you are a programmer I can talk to my friends dad and get more details on what his company does.

[Kev Kanos]

Portland is awsome. 4 months really hot. 4 months nice and 3 months rain. It has a huge job market for the kind of stuff your into wihadmin. We have a huge IBM factory here. We also have the main home base for Nike here!! :jerkit: :jerkit: . not that that does anything for you but I think it is cool.

[Lord ALF]

Resurrecting a old thread as I'm still looking at the Dallas area.

Weather: Really hot between June and August. How about the other months? 80's, 90's, 100+ degrees?

Companies: ID, Gearbox, TI. What other software companies are there in the area?

Thanks!

WiHadmin... give me a bit of time to throw some things together for you. I'll try and compile all my contacts for IT in one email for you. The market here is a bit slow so you need to cast your line out to anyone and everyone and just start looking at all the bites. Hopefully my first contact to you will be in touch with you soon as she's real good in this area.

-ALF

[wihadmin]

Cool! thanks fellas!! and Lord Alf!

[atomicbob]

Does that mean it's really really HOT between March and November?

NO it means, do you want a Coke or a Pepsi?

Don't be askin for no "pop" or no "soda" like you yanks are known to do!

IMAO, the adminshould remain up where ver he is, and not lower hisself to the level of the normalman.

All hailk admin.

:upsidedown2:

[Mr. Saigon]

IMAO, the adminshould remain up where ver he is, and not lower hisself to the level of the normalman.

All hailk admin.

:upsidedown2:

For those who don't know, wihadmin's current job is located on Mt Olympus where he casts lightning bolts down on h4xx0rz... How Atomic bob found this out, I don't know.

[atomicbob]

4 months really hot. 4 months nice and 3 months rain.

Maybe it's my math......

Maybe the other month you sell pop and soda. :flipoff:

:yaya:

[LeakyNavel]

Raytheon is hiring Software and Hardware engineers http://rayjobs.com