I think everyone is forgeting the orig question...."Is it really that bad out there?" The answer is YES.

Here in Salt Lake City, I know alot of people that would jump at $11 per hour. A couple of months ago, I went a "open house" at a small company south of town and I was one of hundreds of programmers that showed up. There were only looking for 2 people. I do not recall want they where paying but it was in the low 30s or high 20s. I'm not joking....several hundred showed up.

When the market is this bad, you only have two choices: $6/hr at a greasy fast food spot or $10-14 doing programming in a clean office (or home). This really is not a choice because when the market turns, I would rather have a resume showing real work than McDs.

1ohn