The standard layout for classified ad sections is 10 columns.

Number of columns of computer-related want ads in the Seattle Times Sunday edition: 6

Number of columns of computer-related want ads in the Los Angeles Times Sunday edition: 6, but with half the space taken up by a display ad for a job fair.

Number of columns of computer-related want ads in the Orange County Register Sunday edition: 2

Damn.

Especially when you consider two things: the Reg and the LA Times have no ads by agencies, and the LA Times covers a metro region that is… what, 5 times bigger than Seattle? About 15 mil vs 3 mil, or thereabouts?

I guess this means the job market in Seattle isn’t any markedly worse than it is here. If anything, it may well be better.

Damn.