Inbox: iPhone, the Facebook generation and the IT skills shortage

The weekly Inbox column collects the best and most thought-provoking of the reader comments silicon.com receives each week.
iPhone owners: would you miss your shiny toy if it went away? A comment piece on silicon.com this week outlined a few gripes, which sparked a frenzy of comments from fan boys and the Apple sceptical alike. The Facebook generation was the subject of this week's CIO Jury, prompting readers to reach for their keyboards, and finally the so-called "skills shortage" is never far from the minds of silicon.com readers and it seems this week was no exception…

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Five reasons I don't miss my 3G iPhone
Eager to get your hands on an iPhone? Natasha Lomas says you may be better off waiting for the kinks to be worked out.

All ironed out
Sounds like Apple gave you a demo model.

However, I do agree with your gripes but I assure you these problems have been fixed. Notably the GPS problem and 3G connection problems have been addressed in previous updates.
Gonzo Miller, London

Low on juice
I think the main issue is the battery life!

I was travelling down to London with no sat-nav so I set up the route on the iPhone. When I went to use the device six hours later it was completely dead! I ended up buying a road atlas instead.

In summary, the battery is extremely disappointing and to me the worst aspect of the 3G iPhone.
Richard Davies, North Yorkshire

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Businesses ready for Facebook generation
according to silicon.com's latest CIO Jury survey, reactions on how to cope with the Facebook-savvy next generation of workers are mixed.

Facebook following
We have had such a following on Facebook from both staff and visitors that we are now introducing direct links from our website to the Facebook Groups.
Gerry Barton, North Wales

Security threat
If your business model (and even reputation) is strongly dependent on privacy and trust, as that of Financial Services currently is, then these tools are not only a work distraction but present a real security threat.

Having said that, I see in the green tealeaves a future where growing numbers of small and nimble businesses will embrace social media tools as a way to compete in niche markets the MNCs aren't aware of or interested in.
Mark McClure, Japan

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Migration rules to fuel IT offshoring?
Proposed changes to the UK's immigration system could lead to more IT jobs being offshored, industry experts have warned.

Education, education, education
YES there is a skills shortage in the under 30s and it is going to get much worse if the government don't change the ridiculous Key Stage 3 mandates, the dilution of GCSE grades and the awarding of degrees for work that is quite puerile.
Roger Huffadine, Worcester

The Home Office has got it right
We need domestic cross-training and updating programmes for those already in the industry.

For the first time in years the Home Office has got it right. They should never have introduced the fast track process for ICT professionals in the first place. Those who used it should have been "encouraged" to train their own instead.
Philip Virgo, London

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Apple "niche player" in touchscreen world
While Apple's iPhone may be the first device most people call to mind when they think of a touch interface mobile, the 3G device is still lagging behind in the touchscreen shifting stakes.

Singing a Samsung tune
My son went out to buy an iPhone but he came home with a Samsung Instinct instead...

When I asked him why, he told me it was because of the crazy plan he needed to buy for the privilege of being an iPhone owner.
Adam Wasserman, Montreal

Fan boys toys
I see the Apple fan boys have got in early!

The author was talking about worldwide market share, not Asian market share. The iPhone's been out in the US and Europe for ages and it's only just caught up technically with the cheap phone I got a couple of years ago.

It may have a nice interface but all the other manufacturers were there with the technology years ago. They've done well to break into the market but I'd be surprised if they ever become a major player.
Ollie Clark, Leeds

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