Careers: There is a certain allure to working as contractor, despite the downsides. You’re still, after all, essentially running your own business. “Don’t jump into this unless you know what you’re doing,” advises Nick Corcodilos in this Ask the Headhunter post. “Being a contractor is a different life.” You’ll have to run your own marketing, watch out for gotchas, handle insurance and benefits. Oh yes, and don’t forget about the ol’ IRS. The news beat: A researcher says that Windows Vista prevents users from playing high-definition video and audio, and harms system performance. Microsoft opens a beta of its Skydrive online storage service to anyone who wants to test it. And PC World’s Erik Larkin offers a hands-on with Palm’s not-yet-released Foleo, the handheld maker’s first Linux-based device. Notes from the field: Robert X. Cringely, once again, has the geek week in review. This time, it includes the so-called Storm worm, former Brocade CEO Greg Reyes singing the stock backdating blues, a class action suit against Microsoft for defrauding consumers with its Vista-capable marketing campaign, and more. Gripe Line: “One reader has gotten so frustrated with the inflexible spam-blocking approach of AOL that he’s wondering if the company is deliberately using it to promote its guaranteed e-mail delivery service,” Ed Foster shares in AOL spam roadblock takes a toll. The volunteer admin of a Web site for car enthusiasts for the past three years has been plagued by AOL’s so-called new and improved spam blocking that includes end-user-generated reports. “What do you think?” Foster asks. “Is AOL using its spam-blocking procedures to get business for its paid e-mail?” Careers