Job: High Availability Linux/Python Guru

Email me and I can put you in touch: ...@badera.us

Description: SOFTWARE ENGINEER
Our Client is seeking a Software Engineer responsible for creating complex data processing and presentation tools that integrate tightly with some of the industry's biggest game franchises. You would function as a member of our team of backend and application engineers and business specialists to expand our game service platform.

Requirements:

• Experience delivering large, complex, highly available software systems

• Ninja skills in Python

• Knowledge of design patterns, SOA, refactoring and unit testing

• Experience with web application servers, web development frameworks, proxy servers and relational databases

• Experience with Linux

• Interest in working on-site at our office in Troy, NY

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience with MySQL or Postgres

• Experience with other web technologies (Ruby, CSS, Javascript, HTML)

• Experience with NGINX and HAProxy

• Exposure to ESB technologies (MSMQ, RabbitMQ, HornetQ, etc.)

• Experience working with Agile development methodologies (XP, Scrum)

• An understanding of system optimization issues

• Familiarity with system monitoring tools (Monit preferred)

• A detail-oriented, organized thought process and be able to act decisively under stressful conditions.

• A proactive mindset and be able to multitask and prioritize requirements.

• A self-motivated work process and posses excellent communication skills
Benefits:

• Work with an experienced, successful, intelligent team

• Competitive salary, health benefits, and retirement plan

• Be an integral part of a growing, fast-paced company where your work will make a true impact

Job: Mid-level .NET Developer in Saratoga, NY

A friend has "a client in Saratoga that needs a solid mid – to senior level developer – must be .Net C# and SQL. 4-6 years of experience. This person needs to be independent and take ownership of one of the products."

Pay range is decent for upstate NY -- email me a...@b... for details.

Demise of Martha's Dandee Cream?

Growing up, it was a generally known truth in the Glens Falls, Queensbury and Lake George area that the best soft ice cream around was to be found at Martha's Dandee Cream.

[I really need to find a photo of the giant rooster sign I seem to recall this place had.]

Martha's Dandee Cream is (was?) located across Route 9 from The Great Escape, formerly known as Storytown. The Great Escape was once owned by local rich guy Charles Wood. In the mid or late 90s, Wood sold the park, which eventually became part of the Six Flags family. I seem to recall it changed hands a few times, to Premier Parks, back to Wood, then to Six Flags, but Wikipedia doesn't seem to support this recollection.

Martha's ended up being purchased, if I understand and recall correctly, by Six Flags, or the entity that became or was absorbed by Six Flags. At some point there was a Martha's stand inside the park. Though I didn't have the opportunity to taste either in this time period, I've heard the quality at Martha's took a dive, and that the worthy successor to Martha's was Rob and Deb's, a place over on Dix Ave.

In this morning's Times Union, I read that Cold Stone Creamery is opening its 14th Six Flags location inside The Great Escape. What happened to Martha's? Is it still standing?