A reader writes:

Do you think this portends a better job market this year in Philosophy? I would think "yes" as it means universities are starting to hire more, but I'm not sure.

 The linked article concerns the increase in jobs in the political science market during the 2010-11 academic year, after several years of declines.  My sense based on this and a lot of other more anecdotal information is that we will see an increase in the total number of jobs advertised this year, but that it will not be nearly enough to compensate for the dramatic declines of the past couple of years and the large number of unemployed or underemployed (including those in temporary positions) job seekers.  So I am hopeful this will be a somewhat better job market, but it will still be super competitive.   Do readers know of other indicators that are more specific to the philosophy market?