IT ANON

More thoughts on Monday's Council IT workshop.

One thing mentioned that has an urgent and valid need, is the need for all computers to be on a single network. I am not a technical person but for years I have had a Mac and a PC capable of talking to each other. I am sure that the disparity in hardware in the city is not an unsolvable problem.

Was not cable installed about three years ago with the idea of placing central servers in the third floor of the Lattimore Building? If it was not done I thought that there had been a contract for such a project. We do not need to go to the expense for WiFi or other exotic equipment. Certainly being wireless has advantages for home networks or for the laptop users away from base. But does it have the security of a wired proprietary net? In an entity where personal information is stored, security should be the number 1 priority.

The concept of Council members obtaining their material via Internet or Email or having committee meetings electronically will disfranchise every citizen who does not have equal access. To permit citizens to make their comments electronically at meetings instead of in person would without the availability of expensive specialized equipment deprive even those present at the meeting appropriate input.

I agree that time and travel expenses could be saved by the use of teleconferences. The capability and equipment for visual as well as voice has been available for many years. The phone and cable carriers can supply it today; at a cost. Although nice and convenient would it not be similar to the automotive CEOs flying to DC to request public funding?

Despite the tenor of this writing I am not against IT and a slot in the city's TO to accomplish what is needed. However, much that was desired at that meeting would be common place in the worlds of Buck Rodgers or Flash Gordon but is not practical for the early 21st century Plainfield.

We do need a manager who is both technically versed to maintain a system as well as to b e knowledgeable in what is needed in hardware as well as software to meet our needs. Perhaps no one such person exists, although I believe we can find him/her. The biggest danger of rushing into a field where we should have been years ago is that we can create unwittingly a new source for patronage or pay for play contracts.

The Administration and Council should determine what we basically desire and need. What we have on hand and can be used must be identified. Then with due diligence the process should be consummated. In the meantime , and as part of the process we must be sure to enforce all the good management procedures that we have available. For years the auditors have pointed out failures, yet many have remained untouched.