Comments on: Politicians and computers http://www.jonworth.eu/politicians-and-computers/ At the intersection of the EU, UK politics and tech Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:28:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Denise http://www.jonworth.eu/politicians-and-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-119413 Denise Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:27:40 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=1315#comment-119413 The politician that I have worked with for over 30years purchased a Blackberry yesterday. He has not been seen since. I sent him a memo, printed on green paper so that it would not get mislaid, with full instructions as to how to purchase the Blackberry. He followed the instructions and made the purchase. This is an achievement and he was very chuffed at his progress. I know that we are in for a stormy time as he endeavours to learn how to use it. To make and take calls on his mobile phone took many months of tantrums. You are right. I did not let him have a computer. He mentioned it once and the tone of my ‘we must look at this as soon as there is a spare moment’ ensured that it was not mentioned again. I expect he would have got flashes of inspiration, vision, annoyance, frustration and given promises / undertakings that may have sounded perfect in the moment but as sure as night follows day would have created problems. It was my idea that he get a Blackberry but, of course, I put it in such a way that he thinks that it is his idea! I await the scavenging of the office emails! Denise The politician that I have worked with for over 30years purchased a Blackberry yesterday. He has not been seen since. I sent him a memo, printed on green paper so that it would not get mislaid, with full instructions as to how to purchase the Blackberry. He followed the instructions and made the purchase. This is an achievement and he was very chuffed at his progress. I know that we are in for a stormy time as he endeavours to learn how to use it. To make and take calls on his mobile phone took many months of tantrums.

You are right. I did not let him have a computer. He mentioned it once and the tone of my ‘we must look at this as soon as there is a spare moment’ ensured that it was not mentioned again.

I expect he would have got flashes of inspiration, vision, annoyance, frustration and given promises / undertakings that may have sounded perfect in the moment but as sure as night follows day would have created problems.

It was my idea that he get a Blackberry but, of course, I put it in such a way that he thinks that it is his idea!

I await the scavenging of the office emails!

Denise

]]> By: Jon http://www.jonworth.eu/politicians-and-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-119274 Jon Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:27:13 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=1315#comment-119274 Oh, and the chances of getting a computer working properly within the civil service... Hmmm. Not easy. Oh, and the chances of getting a computer working properly within the civil service… Hmmm. Not easy.

]]> By: Jon http://www.jonworth.eu/politicians-and-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-119273 Jon Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:26:18 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=1315#comment-119273 Sorry, should have been more precise - it's not a civil service plot, it's more of a researchers / assistants plot, i.e. it's in the parliamentary offices rather than in the civil service. It's Yes Minister style in that these people keep some truths away from politicians. Sorry, should have been more precise – it’s not a civil service plot, it’s more of a researchers / assistants plot, i.e. it’s in the parliamentary offices rather than in the civil service.

It’s Yes Minister style in that these people keep some truths away from politicians.

]]> By: Simon Dickson http://www.jonworth.eu/politicians-and-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-119272 Simon Dickson Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:20:04 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=1315#comment-119272 I'm not sure there's any kind of Senior Civil Service conspiracy. My guess is, they've spent their careers in the Fast Streams, away from the front line - and arguably, the real world. Plus, consciously or not, they're aware of their place in a centuries-old establishment: note all the black-and-white photos on Private Office walls. Such august jobs never needed technology... why should they bring it in now? (Good point re MPs' - and particularly, Ministers' - lack of family contact, by the way. I'd never thought of it.) I’m not sure there’s any kind of Senior Civil Service conspiracy. My guess is, they’ve spent their careers in the Fast Streams, away from the front line – and arguably, the real world.

Plus, consciously or not, they’re aware of their place in a centuries-old establishment: note all the black-and-white photos on Private Office walls. Such august jobs never needed technology… why should they bring it in now?

(Good point re MPs’ – and particularly, Ministers’ – lack of family contact, by the way. I’d never thought of it.)

]]> By: Jon http://www.jonworth.eu/politicians-and-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-119269 Jon Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:37:51 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=1315#comment-119269 Ha ha. Very true! I think I was being a bit forgiving this morning. Plus I think some of these dynamics might be behind the <a href="http://www.jonworth.eu/myparleu-well-theirparleu-actually/" rel="nofollow">MyParl.eu</a> issue. I wonder whether there would be any way to survey the IT use of politicians in comparison to the rest of the population of the same age...? It would be fascinating to see the results of that. Ha ha. Very true! I think I was being a bit forgiving this morning.

Plus I think some of these dynamics might be behind the MyParl.eu issue.

I wonder whether there would be any way to survey the IT use of politicians in comparison to the rest of the population of the same age…? It would be fascinating to see the results of that.

]]> By: Julien Frisch http://www.jonworth.eu/politicians-and-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-119267 Julien Frisch Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:29:57 +0000 http://www.jonworth.eu/?p=1315#comment-119267 It is much easier to ignore reality when you do not have free access to internet and the information therein - that eases tough decision where more knowledge just means more doubts... ;-) (Some countries in the world have even made this their general philosophy!) It is much easier to ignore reality when you do not have free access to internet and the information therein – that eases tough decision where more knowledge just means more doubts… ;-) (Some countries in the world have even made this their general philosophy!)

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