I'm positive I did not pay the tax. No license sticker. They actually take off the 100 dollars in their web selection tool when purchasing the laptop. They are very up-front about this.

I have Dell Precision M3800 for my work and it has been fantastic. It comes pre-configured with Ubuntu and thus saves you a hundred dollars vis-a-vis the Windows LIcense cost. I am very happy with the machine and use it has a workstation replacement. I push it hard and it has been fine. I would suggest that if you use it as a development machine to purchase a stand to allow it to cool properly. The graphic device drivers are great and it is an actual working touch-screen which I honestly don't use (emacs users) but does make the Unity interface actually usable. Link is here; http://www.dell.com/us/busines... Lenovo's have been good in the past but Lenovo is reducing quality fast and thus I would not suggest such a machine. HP also would not be a good choice. (Thanks Fiorina!)

If I wanted to meet interesting folks at the Maker Fair I would simply manufacture them in my 3D printer.

Actually we felt it in Boston. I could feel the swaying. I sent an IM to somebody asking if they felt it. Later they said they had. Once I read this message the the time 1:41pm EDT I noted that my IM message was sent at 1:44. My clock is probably off somewhat but that's close enough. I have felt other quakes in New England. This would be the fourth so it is not unheard of. Also much of Boston is filled-in land thus it tends to amplify the shock waves.

First I commend the many find responses offered to this important question. My only comment that has not already been articulated would be that I disagree with the thought that there is no limit to management and that it is possible for a middle-manager to rise to the c-suite. This no longer occurs which is actually a problem. The upper management ranks now consider themselves aristocrats and pay themselves accordingly and dispense with employees of all kinds in the lower ranks accordingly. It also appears that there is a trend towards more experienced technologists. I am 42 year old coder and architect and I am often ping'ed with job requests even in this economic environment. I've done some management and speak often with management given my position and there opinions of management job prospects vis-a-vis tech seem to square with my opinion above. If you want to move to upper management you are best starting your own company if you are not a Harvard MBA. That's my two cents in any event. I suggest trying management since it appears from your post you desire this. However, be prepared to abruptly change course again if you decide this is not your karma because project/middle management is extremely difficult and not highly valued by upper management. In any event I wish you the best of luck. I truly do.