Keeping jobs at home

Open source can helpU.S.companies retain American programmers

In a recent column, I disputed the notion that open source is responsible for U.S. programmers being replaced with cheap overseas labor (see "Boon or bust?"). In my discussion, I mentioned that open source can be useful for programmers to expand their skills sets so as to increase personal employability in a future where there may be fewer programming jobs in the United States.

Obviously, I hit a nerve.

Several people accused me of being cavalier about the problem, not caring about the fact that the increasing trend of using cheap foreign programming labor will drastically reduce domestic IT salaries and job opportunities, forcing many programmers to abandon their careers. In fact, I care deeply about this matter. I've been through a layoff, and I don't wish the experience on anyone. I just don't have a magic solution.