Only Microsoft Corp. so far appears to have dodged the layoff bullet, .

Despite coinciding with the economic downturn, Oracle's layoffs shouldn't be viewed yet as a sign of trouble at the company, says Klasell. Layoffs are a fact of life after mergers, and Oracle had already set aside hundreds of millions of dollars for that. That doesn't make the situation any easier for those people who were laid-off, such as the Oracle salesperson, who plans to go back to school rather than seek another job.

Software salespeople seeking a new job are "looking at 18 months of hell," the ex-employee said.

Chris Kanaracus writes for the IDG News Service.