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Faces of the recession

See how the recession is affecting the companies and workers of the technology industry.

CNET staff
4 min read
Special coverage:

The tech economy

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As the economy falters, technology stalls

December 19, 2008

In this 14-day series, CNET News profiles people in various technology sectors--from the start-up execs getting a stern talking-to from their investors to the holiday shoppers in the housing foreclosure epicenter of Modesto, Calif., to see how real people are handling the recession.

Feature stories

Day 1: IBM to start-up: Industry vet responds to recession

LogLogic's Patricia Sueltz heard a clear message about the economy from investors. But she already knows a thing or two about navigating through tough times.

Day 2: Confessions of a man who does the layoffs

It's easy to vilify the guy who hands out the pink slips. But contrary to popular notions, these aren't decisions that are taken lightly, at least with the executive we interviewed.
• Video: What it's like to lay people off

Day 3: Slowing expectations at a green-tech start-up

Six months ago, biofuels start-up Mascoma had the wind in its sails, as did the rest of the clean-tech sector. Now, the company is treading carefully and scaling back.

Day 4: After a layoff, a family learns to cope

Balancing the checkbook is a tense chore for an unemployed IT consultant and his wife. Their story is becoming less unique.

Day 5: A tech reporter's unexpected path to freelance

Changing reader tastes and the downturn in print advertising are making it tough on some longtime trade magazine hands.
• Video: Tech journalists feeling the crunch

Day 6: Amid recession, developer finds hope in the Apple App Store

Dennis Hescox has been around the games industry for years. Now, as the economy founders, he is trying to turn to iPhone games as a way to make a living. The challenges are huge.

Day 7: A Web 2.0 entrepreneur counts his blessings

Suleman Ali had quick success with his start-up. But with the economy sinking and big companies flexing their muscles, he knows it will be harder for his peers to do the same.

Day 8: Fighting cybercrime in an economic downturn

With malware attacks on the rise, McAfee cybercrime strategist Pamela Warren is increasingly focused on helping Internet users.

Day 9: Contractless in Seattle

A programmer thought he was settling into good shape financially when he landed a temporary job with Microsoft. He was wrong.

Day 10: For Net consultant, crisis, then a silver lining

Four-fifths of Steve Borsch's revenue evaporated in two months. But the problem sent the Web communication consultant in a new, better direction.

Day 11: Liquidated at Circuit City

A young single father's career in retail electronics is stalled before it really gets started, as Circuit City closes its stores.

Day 12: Talking Apple in the land of foreclosures

Modesto, Calif., has been hit hard by the housing crisis and already has double-digit unemployment. Nonetheless, there are plenty of shoppers in the new local Apple store.

Day 13: Working overtime for venture capital funding

Treb Ryan managed to sell a start-up for big bucks just as the dot-com boom was ending. But now, just getting funding for his current company is proving hard work.

Day 14: You don't need satellite TV when times get tough

An Oakland, Calif., family knew they had to trim monthly expenses. So they took a novel, Internet-savvy approach to cutting costs while still watching their favorite programs.

Latest financial coverage



Special coverage:

The tech economy

E-mail this story to a friendE-mail    Add to your del.icio.usdel.icio.us    Digg this storyDigg this

As the economy falters, technology stalls

December 19, 2008

In this 14-day series, CNET News profiles people in various technology sectors--from the start-up execs getting a stern talking-to from their investors to the holiday shoppers in the housing foreclosure epicenter of Modesto, Calif., to see how real people are handling the recession.

Feature stories

Day 1: IBM to start-up: Industry vet responds to recession

LogLogic's Patricia Sueltz heard a clear message about the economy from investors. But she already knows a thing or two about navigating through tough times.

Day 2: Confessions of a man who does the layoffs

It's easy to vilify the guy who hands out the pink slips. But contrary to popular notions, these aren't decisions that are taken lightly, at least with the executive we interviewed.
• Video: What it's like to lay people off

Day 3: Slowing expectations at a green-tech start-up

Six months ago, biofuels start-up Mascoma had the wind in its sails, as did the rest of the clean-tech sector. Now, the company is treading carefully and scaling back.

Day 4: After a layoff, a family learns to cope

Balancing the checkbook is a tense chore for an unemployed IT consultant and his wife. Their story is becoming less unique.

Day 5: A tech reporter's unexpected path to freelance

Changing reader tastes and the downturn in print advertising are making it tough on some longtime trade magazine hands.
• Video: Tech journalists feeling the crunch

Day 6: Amid recession, developer finds hope in the Apple App Store

Dennis Hescox has been around the games industry for years. Now, as the economy founders, he is trying to turn to iPhone games as a way to make a living. The challenges are huge.

Day 7: A Web 2.0 entrepreneur counts his blessings

Suleman Ali had quick success with his start-up. But with the economy sinking and big companies flexing their muscles, he knows it will be harder for his peers to do the same.

Day 8: Fighting cybercrime in an economic downturn

With malware attacks on the rise, McAfee cybercrime strategist Pamela Warren is increasingly focused on helping Internet users.

Day 9: Contractless in Seattle

A programmer thought he was settling into good shape financially when he landed a temporary job with Microsoft. He was wrong.

Day 10: For Net consultant, crisis, then a silver lining

Four-fifths of Steve Borsch's revenue evaporated in two months. But the problem sent the Web communication consultant in a new, better direction.

Day 11: Liquidated at Circuit City

A young single father's career in retail electronics is stalled before it really gets started, as Circuit City closes its stores.

Day 12: Talking Apple in the land of foreclosures

Modesto, Calif., has been hit hard by the housing crisis and already has double-digit unemployment. Nonetheless, there are plenty of shoppers in the new local Apple store.

Day 13: Working overtime for venture capital funding

Treb Ryan managed to sell a start-up for big bucks just as the dot-com boom was ending. But now, just getting funding for his current company is proving hard work.

Day 14: You don't need satellite TV when times get tough

An Oakland, Calif., family knew they had to trim monthly expenses. So they took a novel, Internet-savvy approach to cutting costs while still watching their favorite programs.

Latest financial coverage