Yep, our glorious leaders are stupid as well as corrupt

[fhtagn]

In a recent report on the use of iPads by MPs (see the BBC here), the conclusion was that this had saved "several thousand pounds" because "they could circulate information electronically rather than in hard copy." These are the MPs who already have an allowance of five computers, but are incapable of circulating files electronically

Comments

[omniscient_fool]

As a society our concept of 'need' has become well and truly fucked. We (or rather they) can't even articulate, let alone justify, why they feel these artificial needs so make crap up instead. Any individual who thinks they need 5 computers and an ipad for one job, and who is not processing huge quantities of data, is, quite frankly, a tit.

[fhtagn]

Well, much as it pains me to argue in their favour, the multiplicity of machines does probably take into account the fact that they have offices in multiple places as well as secretarial staff. If it doesn't then there's something very, very wrong. (I say this as someone with two computers in the office, two home computers (one gaming, one server) and a laptop, of course, so ....). Then again, I freely admit that one of my homecomputers is vanity (the server, but being able to remote control a home computer from my phone makes me deliriously happy) but I really do use all the rest extensively.

[omniscient_fool]

I'd assumed the 5 computer allowance was for the 1 MP themselves, but of course, if that is to cover other members of staff as well then it is much more reasonable (as long as it is no more than 1 desktop per staff member with the possible exception of IT staff or a server). I'm not sure if I agree with the principle of the multiple offices argument (although you may well be right that this is a reason) as surely that's what the laptops are for?

I fully appreciate that you need two computers in your office for the work you do, but I really doubt MPs would be using anything more intensive than Microsoft Office and IE. Maybe an accounting program. That shit requires multiple windows, not multiple machines, and certainly not multiple machines paid for by the public in a time of economic hardship. As for what you have at home, given that you pay for it yourself, you could have 50 computers stacked up to make a self heated coffee table for all I care! :p

[omniscient_fool]

Maybe the iPads should come out of their campaign budgets? I think it would be more appropriate given that the real reason for having them is much more likely to be to look up to date, fashionable, and successful.

[fhtagn]

That's my guess as to their desire, too.

[fhtagn]

Whilst modern laptops are often fully as powerful as the desktops, having secure fixed-point machines for work-work as opposed to carrying subsections of data and minor tweaking work-at-distance isn't unreasonable to my mind. It certainly increases the security of the situation by putting more important stuff behind a hopefully well maintained server and firewall whilst offering portability. I agree that if you're using laptops efficiently then docking stations are more useful than extra computers, but given the degree of technical incompetence in our lords and masters, I think that is regretably far too much for which to ask.