Drew Douglas or Liz WarinCorporate Technology Communications(312) 832-9300ddouglas@ctcomm.comlwarin@ctcomm.com
TechRepublic to Devote February to Examining Growing Problem
LOUISVILLE, Ky., February 8, 2001—Three out of four Information Technology (IT) professionals think they are losing the battle to balance their personal and professional lives.

This is the finding of a recent online poll by TechRepublic, the leading online destination developed exclusively for IT professionals by IT professionals. Asked “How successful are you at balancing your personal life and professional life?” 75 percent of respondents said they’re not successful or only somewhat successful in finding this balance.

As a result of this finding and of the increasing convergence of personal and professional work/life issues, TechRepublic is devoting the month of February to examining the “pervasive workplace,” the ability to work anywhere and anytime, thanks to technologies such as cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

“Today’s IT pros are among the most ‘connected’ of all professionals,” said Bob Artner, vice president of content development at TechRepublic. “From cell phones to laptops, BlackBerries to wireless networks, technology makes the office always within easy reach for them. Most IT pros don’t want to ‘carry their inbox on their belt.’ But it is getting harder to leave the office—ever.”

To examine this phenomenon and its effect on IT workers at all levels of the profession, TechRepublic is publishing a special series of articles in February on the pervasive workplace, along with online discussions among some of the site’s more than 1.3 million members. Topics will include the amount of overtime put in by IT pros, work/life balance strategies for telecommuters, the possible impact of IT unions, and more.

“TechRepublic’s mission is to offer its members the most up-to-date and relevant content to help them succeed in their IT career,” said Artner. “Few issues affect today’s IT pro more than the pervasive workplace. We are looking forward to providing our members with a forum to explore new and innovative ways for IT pros to find balance in their personal and professional lives, which will ultimately benefit both the IT pro and the entire enterprise.”

For further discussions on this and other IT-related issues, log on to the TechRepublic site.

TechRepublic is the leading online destination developed exclusively for IT professionals by IT professionals. It was acquired by Gartner Group, Inc. (NYSE: IT and ITB) in March 2000. With the Gartner relationship, TechRepublic provides its members with the largest and most comprehensive source of IT community, content, and research available anywhere. In August 2000, TechRepublic acquired ITRadar, the leading IT marketplace connecting buyers and sellers of Information Technology services. TechRepublic’s services include IT industry news, analysis, columns, articles, downloads, career-management tips, forums, a job directory, a peer directory, a vendor directory, auctions, e-commerce offerings, event listings, and electronic newsletters.

IT job segments categorize content on TechRepublic’s Web site. CIO Republic provides analysis and insight for an organization’s chief information officer, chief technology officer, and other IT executives; IT Consultant Republic features content specifically tailored to today’s IT consultant; IT Manager Republic provides information and resources for IT managers; IT Support Republic’s solutions assist help desk professionals; and NetAdmin Republic features content written specifically for network administrators.