specialisation in MS

Well, this is a little bit of crystal-ball stuff, but I believe the future is in networking.

The internet is still in its infancy. The move from electrical networks to optical networks, and new technologies like optical switching, make this a field with room to grow.

The demand for bandwidth is not falling. Look at the popularity of cable modems. People want more complex information, real-time video, etc. Remember that for decades, people have been dreaming about real-time virtual reality, television on demand, and so on. We don't yet have the bandwidth, but we're only a few orders of magnitude away.

One of the challenges with optical networks is the interface between the extremely fast fiber and the much slower wire. Optical computing is a ways off, in large part because nobody has a practical way of storing the state of an optical signal.

The other fields, like applications, servers, etc. will still be there, but networking is where the most significant growth willbe. If I was starting over, this is probably where I would begin.

I do quite a bit of both. You have hit on the important part; you are "inclined" to it. One thing that is apparent is the in the MS side, it is difficult to just one or the other. As a developer and network engineer specializing in MS, it has been very beneficial to know both sides. I cannot imagine developing, and not knowing the platform you are sitting on (that is why I don't do JAVA). Networking is here to stay, but Apps are here as well. They are both dependant on each other. Pick the one you like, and try to enjoy the ride.

tc

I highly recommend that before you pursue higher studies in computer science, you learn how to use the Shift Key.

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