Alicia, a librarian, recounts a stapler saga, and explains why she fears the microfilm reader.

I work from home. Now that it's getting warmer out, I'd love to get my work done in the fresh air. But I can't think of any place that:

* Has reasonably comfortable benches
* Has shady spots (can't see the laptop in the sun)
* Is near a public WiFi access point
* Isn't next to noisy traffic
* Is reasonably close (15-20 minutes) to Central Square

Anyone have any ideas? I need a Starbucks-in-the-Park...

Paul Levy reports medical department chiefs at the hospital have started a Physicians Support BIDMC Fund and that, to date, senior docs have agreed to forego more than $350,000 in salaries as the hospital tries to cut a projected budget deficit.

The Globe reports that IDG is cutting many employees' salaries by 10% in its media division, which publishes Computerworld, PC World and Network World.

Endangered Coffee comes up with 10 possible reasons a co-worker did that.

Angela is toting up the number of times her boss drops an F-bomb:

... He was in the office today for a grand total of 30 minutes and I heard him drop F-bombs 15 times. ...

The Boston Business Journal posts some numbers - Boston residents reported a 7.4% unemployment rate in January, compared to 4.7% in January, 2008. Some 11 cities and towns reported double-digit unemployment numbers in January.

Everyone hears how frustrating the phone lines are for the Department of Unemployment Assistance but I don't think those who have not experienced it truly get how needlessly frustrating it is. You can read more about my experience over at DaveWrites (and listen to the call for yourself!). After navigating through a series of choices, callers "dead-end" at a point where they are told the DUA is overwhelmed and cannot answer their phone.

Paul Levy reports on a "town meeting" for Beth Israel staffers to try to come up with ways to cut costs without laying off workers:

... As expected, the response from the staff has been spectacular. People have a terrific sense of community and are quite willing to make sacrifices for the good of their fellow workers. (And, as you can see in the picture above, people are maintaining a good sense of humor, too.) I'm going to post some of their comments for you below so you can get a sense of the sentiment.

Beyond the general feeling, I was very, very pleased when I asked people if they agreed with my predisposition to protect our lower wage earners (e.g., transporters, housekeepers, food service people) from measures we take, even if it means that other people have to give up more of their salary and benefits. The response was overwhelmingly positive. ...

Beth Israel Deaconess CEO Paul Levy explains why: Basically, the shrinking economy is now affecting even hospitals.