The new-style computer table… SMEs abandon print for clicks… Working with a younger boss…

Waiter, there’s a computer in my table!

Microsoft is soon to release a touch-sensitive table with a powerful PC inside and fancy software. It’s called Surface, OhGizmo reports. It will be able to do some pretty cool stuff, like manipulating digital pictures or designs as if they were right there in front of you.

It also recognises the object with which it is being touched, so touch it with a paint brush and brush strokes will show on the image.

Due for release in the US this year, the hefty price of the Surface technology means it will be of most interest at hotels, shops, restaurants and public entertainment venues, although the design possibilities it opens up should see it used in that field before long.

SMEs abandon catalogues for the internet advertising

Some small businesses have begun dropping all printed advertising in favour of a website, reports the Australian Financial Review. Queensland fish farmer Bruce Sambell tells the AFR that all of his inquiries come online, and a website is cheaper to produce and maintain than a catalogue.

The tricky part is finding the right website designer; they are in strong demand. Yesterday we had a few hints on this. SitePoint is Australian website that helps companies by facilitating competitions to complete their design tasks.

Don’t tell me what to do, kid!

A third of employees who work for younger bosses say they don’t like taking orders from them, according to a survey by recruiters Linkme.com.au. They had better get used to it because as the workforce grows older there will be more of it. About a quarter of bosses are in the 30-40 year old age bracket and 8.2% in the 25-30 age group.

Campbell Sallabank, CEO of Linkme, says bosses have to convince older people they actually do know what they are doing. And the different working patterns of the generations have to be reconciled.

“There is a huge generational difference in work ethics and perceptions and this is what causes the challenges,” Sallabank says. “Older workers are work-centric and more likely to be workaholics. They tend to turn up to work early, work through lunch, leave late and work on weekends. They feel this shows commitment to their employer and is a way to impress and get ahead.

“Younger workers, who have been raised in the computer/internet era, realise it doesn’t matter when and where work gets completed and are more likely to harness technological capability out of hours from non-work zones.”