Comments on: NYPD is spending $1 million in typewriters http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 18 May 2013 13:10:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: normd http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544258 normd Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544258 There may be an advantage to having the folks in the evidence room using the paper system - from what I learned on The Wire, the officers working there have a bit of time on their hands. There may be an advantage to having the folks in the evidence room using the paper system – from what I learned on The Wire, the officers working there have a bit of time on their hands.

]]> By: yrarbil cilbup http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544279 yrarbil cilbup Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544279 Ah, the cesspool of backroom no bid contracts awarded to cronies and/or the highest bribe. Thats what 150 years of facism in North America will net you. The dirty secret of government in the US, is that so called 'capital improvements' continue to grow as a percentage of the overall budget, while the operating bugets to provide basic services continues to be cut to the bone. It's ten times easyer to funnel cash to cronies with 'capital improvement' projects, than it is with operating basic services. Ah, the cesspool of backroom no bid contracts awarded to cronies and/or the highest bribe.

Thats what 150 years of facism in North America will net you.

The dirty secret of government in the US, is that so called ‘capital improvements’ continue to grow as a percentage of the overall budget, while the operating bugets to provide basic services continues to be cut to the bone. It’s ten times easyer to funnel cash to cronies with ‘capital improvement’ projects, than it is with operating basic services.

]]> By: AnoniMouse http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544025 AnoniMouse Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544025 @4, Right-e-o, Man! @4,
Right-e-o, Man!

]]> By: Enormo http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544027 Enormo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544027 What's a "typewriter?" What’s a “typewriter?”

]]> By: eenerz http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544541 eenerz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544541 Anyone else read 'Swintec' and think it was 'Swinetech'? I had a little LOL moment there. Anyone else read ‘Swintec’ and think it was ‘Swinetech’?

I had a little LOL moment there.

]]> By: greensteam http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-545053 greensteam Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-545053 I agree with #10. There are benefits in having a really resilient backup. I am a city councillor and we were recently briefed on our city's emergency plan. One aspect that caused a wry smile was that the police here had had to replace all the megaphones/loudhailers they got rid of years ago on the assumption that TV and radio would do all the necessary announcing of what to do in an emergency. Someone with a bit more sense had realised that if the emergency includes loss of electricity then it could easily be that no broadcasting or receiving could be one of the outcomes. They might easily be back to driving the street shouting at the citizens through loudhailers to get folks to evacuate an area or whatever. Small stocks of no-electricity equipment are sensible. This house has no TVs, 3 laptops, 2 PCs and several active typewriters dating from 1920-1960s, mainly used by my teenagers. I agree with #10. There are benefits in having a really resilient backup.
I am a city councillor and we were recently briefed on our city’s emergency plan. One aspect that caused a wry smile was that the police here had had to replace all the megaphones/loudhailers they got rid of years ago on the assumption that TV and radio would do all the necessary announcing of what to do in an emergency. Someone with a bit more sense had realised that if the emergency includes loss of electricity then it could easily be that no broadcasting or receiving could be one of the outcomes. They might easily be back to driving the street shouting at the citizens through loudhailers to get folks to evacuate an area or whatever.

Small stocks of no-electricity equipment are sensible.

This house has no TVs, 3 laptops, 2 PCs and several active typewriters dating from 1920-1960s, mainly used by my teenagers.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544030 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544030 Why is doing forms on computer so hard for them? Make it once, use it forever. Are there other big agencies still using carbons? Enact a new wave of Broken Windows, and clear this up! Why is doing forms on computer so hard for them? Make it once, use it forever. Are there other big agencies still using carbons?

Enact a new wave of Broken Windows, and clear this up!

]]> By: TheFirstMan http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544044 TheFirstMan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544044 You know, typewriter use wasn't that long ago. And a paper-shuffling system isn't necessarily bad unless it doesn't work. It's good to see them implementing new systems, and I hope those systems are more efficient and effective than older systems, but I'm not willing to look down on them for not changing yet. I simply don't know how the system works or how effective it is. I generally think faster technology=better performance, but, you know, if you still need typewriters, you still need them. You know, typewriter use wasn’t that long ago. And a paper-shuffling system isn’t necessarily bad unless it doesn’t work. It’s good to see them implementing new systems, and I hope those systems are more efficient and effective than older systems, but I’m not willing to look down on them for not changing yet.

I simply don’t know how the system works or how effective it is. I generally think faster technology=better performance, but, you know, if you still need typewriters, you still need them.

]]> By: TheFirstMan http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544045 TheFirstMan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544045 My point was lost. Sorry. I hope the new system allows them to do their job more effectively. But it's not necessarily so. My point was lost. Sorry. I hope the new system allows them to do their job more effectively. But it’s not necessarily so.

]]> By: Zat http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544049 Zat Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544049 "...told her the outdated equipment makes them less likely to perform arrests for minor offenses. " Good, they should replace the radios with telegraphs too. “…told her the outdated equipment makes them less likely to perform arrests for minor offenses. ”

Good, they should replace the radios with telegraphs too.

]]> By: cinemajay http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544305 cinemajay Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544305 I'm sure it's already been said, but the cost of a typewriter these days has to be about as much as desktop computer. And I can't imagine they wouldn't get a bulk discount--let alone at a nonprofit rate. Just dumb all around. I’m sure it’s already been said, but the cost of a typewriter these days has to be about as much as desktop computer. And I can’t imagine they wouldn’t get a bulk discount–let alone at a nonprofit rate.

Just dumb all around.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-741939 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-741939 Agree that we shouldn't let governments buy more typewriters, but TTTT many govt organizations are so far behind, this can't possibly hurt more than it already does. A friend of mine ended up taking a USB drive full of evidence to a police station, and the detectives had computers without USB ports! #FAIL Agree that we shouldn’t let governments buy more typewriters, but TTTT many govt organizations are so far behind, this can’t possibly hurt more than it already does. A friend of mine ended up taking a USB drive full of evidence to a police station, and the detectives had computers without USB ports! #FAIL

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544309 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544309 good grief, if typewriters are all that's stopping them from making minor offense arrests, why not have a trained civilian contingent to process this kind of paper work? Officer makes the arrest, fills out their record book and those go to the processors. Computerized or not, a few skilled people at the desk doing these all day would probably streamline the process enormously, leaving all kinds of extra time for the officers to get out there and sass everyone. good grief, if typewriters are all that’s stopping them from making minor offense arrests, why not have a trained civilian contingent to process this kind of paper work?

Officer makes the arrest, fills out their record book and those go to the processors. Computerized or not, a few skilled people at the desk doing these all day would probably streamline the process enormously, leaving all kinds of extra time for the officers to get out there and sass everyone.

]]> By: Matt Katz http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544324 Matt Katz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544324 Also in favor of keeping the arrest bar high. Most of the time, you want the cops on the street deterring and such. I'm all for the police giving people a stern shouting at when that will effectively solve the problem with no paperwork and no record. Also in favor of keeping the arrest bar high. Most of the time, you want the cops on the street deterring and such.

I’m all for the police giving people a stern shouting at when that will effectively solve the problem with no paperwork and no record.

]]> By: Strikethru http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544334 Strikethru Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544334 The NY Post article misrepresented many facts in service of a sexy headline, including the type of technology purchased, the cost, the length of the contract, any obligation to purchase by the NYPD, and other details. I found this out by simply e-mailing Swintec, and I am no journalist. The complete details from Swintec are on my website at http://www.strikethru.net/2009/07/swintec-typewriters-and-nypd.html. This article is not worth quoting-- it's bad reporting. The NY Post article misrepresented many facts in service of a sexy headline, including the type of technology purchased, the cost, the length of the contract, any obligation to purchase by the NYPD, and other details. I found this out by simply e-mailing Swintec, and I am no journalist. The complete details from Swintec are on my website at http://www.strikethru.net/2009/07/swintec-typewriters-and-nypd.html.

This article is not worth quoting– it’s bad reporting.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544342 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544342 http://www.viceland.com/int/v13n6/htdocs/index.php http://www.viceland.com/int/v13n6/htdocs/index.php

]]> By: TroofSeeker http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544604 TroofSeeker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544604 They could have asked for donations of typewriters, or offered $10 each. Heck, I think I've got an IBM Selectric buried around here somewhere. For that matter, they could have asked for old computers- even an old 286 is fast enough for what they're doing! And I've got about five out in the garage. They could have asked for donations of typewriters, or offered $10 each. Heck, I think I’ve got an IBM Selectric buried around here somewhere.
For that matter, they could have asked for old computers- even an old 286 is fast enough for what they’re doing! And I’ve got about five out in the garage.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544612 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544612 after reading about the New York Rubber Room for teachers, this just fits my mental image of what New York City is really about. Did they ever succeed in banning Geiger counters? after reading about the New York Rubber Room for teachers, this just fits my mental image of what New York City is really about. Did they ever succeed in banning Geiger counters?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544616 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544616 This reminds me of talking to my doctor recently - I was surprised that he didn't have my records, though it had been a while since I was last there. Turns out he used to keep computer records, as he was in a beta test for software for medical records. The beta period ended and the annual license was $80,000, so he told me he switched back to paper to effectively save money. In that light, this story seems a little more sensible. This reminds me of talking to my doctor recently – I was surprised that he didn’t have my records, though it had been a while since I was last there. Turns out he used to keep computer records, as he was in a beta test for software for medical records. The beta period ended and the annual license was $80,000, so he told me he switched back to paper to effectively save money.

In that light, this story seems a little more sensible.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544617 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544617 (why not? it worked before http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaterasu (why not? it worked before
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaterasu

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544113 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544113 I'd write the software to enter the data for half that... Just sayin' I’d write the software to enter the data for half that… Just sayin’

]]> By: fenderbasher http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544128 fenderbasher Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544128 One mil over three years? Not bad at all considering service agreements I've heard of in my industry.... How hard can it be to implement? If there's a written procedure you link the form and add the info to the procedure and have everyone sign off. Kee-rist, we do that darn near every week. One mil over three years? Not bad at all considering service agreements I’ve heard of in my industry….
How hard can it be to implement? If there’s a written procedure you link the form and add the info to the procedure and have everyone sign off. Kee-rist, we do that darn near every week.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544131 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544131 firstbakingbook,10 -------------- My thoughts too. The typewriters should be manual too! Think about it. One big EMP and the entire NYPD will be out of business! firstbakingbook,10
————–
My thoughts too.

The typewriters should be manual too! Think about it. One big EMP and the entire NYPD will be out of business!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-546435 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-546435 The vast majority of these typewriters went to inmates who are denied computer access, I read in a newspaper in Australia. The vast majority of these typewriters went to inmates who are denied computer access, I read in a newspaper in Australia.

]]> By: ducky http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544408 ducky Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544408 I work DV and sexual assault cases in 8 NYC hospitals. One day I was sitting there with a NYPD officer. He was bemoaning how long his day was gonna be. He had hand written his report. Then he had to take it to the precinct and type it up. I asked why they did not give him a laptop so he could be done with it and on to his next case... He said, "Oh no. This is done is a typewriter. In 4-part carbonless." His theory was that the city had invested in so much 4-part carbonless paper that they were gonna keep using typewriters until it was all gone. Crazy. I work DV and sexual assault cases in 8 NYC hospitals. One day I was sitting there with a NYPD officer. He was bemoaning how long his day was gonna be. He had hand written his report. Then he had to take it to the precinct and type it up. I asked why they did not give him a laptop so he could be done with it and on to his next case… He said, “Oh no. This is done is a typewriter. In 4-part carbonless.” His theory was that the city had invested in so much 4-part carbonless paper that they were gonna keep using typewriters until it was all gone. Crazy.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544686 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544686 Um...what's the problem here? There are indeed times when a document should be in a physical, not-easy-to-modify/forge/broadcast form. Birth, death and marriage certificates are usually still done with typewriters, for exactly that reason. And when there's a chain of evidence involved, a similar logic applies. This piece strikes a strange tone. Since when was it a given that every aspect of life was supposed to depend on electricity and an operating system? Gee, how much does the NYPD spend on pens, pencils, tape recorders and other modes of documentation that can conceivably be done on computers? There's technology, and there's the appropriate use thereof. Um…what’s the problem here? There are indeed times when a document should be in a physical, not-easy-to-modify/forge/broadcast form. Birth, death and marriage certificates are usually still done with typewriters, for exactly that reason. And when there’s a chain of evidence involved, a similar logic applies.

This piece strikes a strange tone. Since when was it a given that every aspect of life was supposed to depend on electricity and an operating system? Gee, how much does the NYPD spend on pens, pencils, tape recorders and other modes of documentation that can conceivably be done on computers? There’s technology, and there’s the appropriate use thereof.

]]> By: Felton http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-544431 Felton Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544431 Enormo@13: It's an ingenious device in which a computer keyboard is attached directly to a small printer, completely eliminating the need for all that clunky processing equipment in the middle. I don't know why we didn't think of this sooner. Enormo@13: It’s an ingenious device in which a computer keyboard is attached directly to a small printer, completely eliminating the need for all that clunky processing equipment in the middle. I don’t know why we didn’t think of this sooner.

]]> By: SKR http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-543930 SKR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-543930 /Facepalm /Facepalm

]]> By: NoahApples http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-543934 NoahApples Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-543934 Sounds like they need to upgrade to dot matrix printers for those carbon copies. Sounds like they need to upgrade to dot matrix printers for those carbon copies.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2009/07/16/nypd-is-spending-1-m.html#comment-543941 Brainspore Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-543941 Did they upgrade to mimeographs yet or are they still keeping a pool of scriveners on the payroll? Did they upgrade to mimeographs yet or are they still keeping a pool of scriveners on the payroll?

]]>