[bouldercouncilhotline] Hotline: Appropriate Technology

[kohls at bouldercolorado.gov]

Sender: Cowles, Macon

Unfortunately, Heath Urie's article on going paperless did not provide context, and so Camera readers were misled. I want to share with you an exchange that I had with one citizen who wrote to us with the subject: "iPads? No Way!" Read from the top down.

Macon Cowles

On Jan 21, 2011, at 10:06 PM, <Jeanne> wrote:

Dear Mr. Cowles,
We all understand the need to go paperless.  But, iPads???  I have one and am also an Apple stockholder, but there is no need for Boulder's council members to have them, especially when you already have 3G access with your taxpayer-paid iPhones.  Get a $500 laptop with wireless and keyboards and be done with it.  In this economy, be responsible.

Jeanne


On Jan 22, 2011, at 6:49 AM, Macon Cowles <cowles.bouldercouncil at gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks for writing. 

Let's start here: do you think that council members should have to pay for the computers, software, wireless service and the like that are used in doing their jobs?

And I would be interested to know what your experience is with the iPad. 

Macon Cowles


On Jan 22, 2011, at 11:02 AM, Yahoo Account wrote:

Mr. Cowles,
No, I do not think Council people should have to pay for the needed technology, especially to be paperless.  But, an iPad is not needed.  I'm fine with you having the iPhone but getting an iPad is redundant.  An iPad is basically a big iTouch (which you essentially have with your iPhone).  The iPad is great for portability, books, movies, and surfing - not typing nor creating documents and presentations - which is what council people should be using it for, in my opinion.  I am an occupational therapist and the keyboard on the iPad is not ergonomically correct for the emails, Powerpoints, and spreadsheets that you need to create.  We excluded them at Boulder Community Hospital as a paperless option for that same reason.  We're getting laptops.

I'd be happy to pay for a MacBook Air with wireless (and no monthly fees) if a regular laptop is too bulky.  Or consider an HP hybrid tablet that has a standard keyboard or can be flipped for tablet mode.

I am opposed to paying for the 3G network fees (which you already have with your iPhone) and for a device that serves you personally more than it does your constituents. 

Jeanne
Sent from my iPhone :)


On Jan 23, 2011, at 8:36 PM, Macon Cowles wrote:

Thanks for your response. 

I wish that the City would just provide us with a small reimbursement for technology and office expense, and let us choose our own equipment. As it is, the only support we are given for office expenses and technology is the monthly basic service for the iPhone. We are required to furnish our own computers, internet service and ISP hookup, fax, land line and the like. The City stopped providing councilors with computers, faxes and phone lines about ten years ago.

Last year, I spent about $700 on software. This included a periodic upgrade of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat. I use all of it to do City Business. In addition to the Council meetings here, I represent the City on the Denver REgional Council of Governments which is a minimum of three Denver meetings a month. DRCOG went paperless two years ago, to save $60,000 a year in copying and mailing expense. So I take my laptop to Denver for the meetings.

I might well prefer to have a Macbook Air to an iPad. I don't know. But I would rather check it out myself and make that decision.

Jeanne, we work really hard for the people of Boulder. My first two years on Council, I spent an average of 120 hours per month on City business. I have had to cut down on City hours, and ramp up my work again because I have to support my family.

The Camera makes it sound as though we are on a lark, and just love to get a gadget like the iPad for the hell of it. But that is not the case. I want to get appropriate technology. But I would not opt, under any circumstances, for the $500 Dell that you were talking about. I have used PC's over many years, but I much prefer the Mac, as you do, and I don't think most people would have a problem with my making my own choice of operating system and hardware to do the business of the City--as long as I am being conservative in what I spend. I do take that responsibility very seriously.

Macon Cowles


On Jan 23, 2011, at 10:56 PM, Yahoo Account wrote:

Thanks for your reply. I do support the idea of you being able to choose the technology that fits you and your work.  We don't hear that councilors do not get their own computers - that's ridiculous.  The lack of land lines in the era of scanners and cell phones I do understand.

Again, while I love my iPad for personal use, I don't see it's use yet for business involving significant email writing, Excel spreadsheet creating, presentations, etc.  Check out a MacBook.  And, if you truly think the iPad is what Council members need, test a wireless keyboard with it and wait until February 9th - that is when the new ones might be coming out and should have a camera for video conferencing.

Thanks for your time and consideration.  No need to write back.

Jeanne