Why give people computers?
We’re moving toward an allowance system for cellphone and pdas. So, we won’t buy them for people anymore, we’ll just give you money towards whatever plan you’re currently on or would like. At least, this is my intention; my proposal hasn’t been approved officially yet. What I like about this plan is that people won’t have to carry two devices; one for work and one for home, and they can just use their personal device for work and receive compensation toward that.
So, let’s extend the idea to workplace computers. Why provide them? Why not give everyone an allowance toward whatever device they want to use, assuming they meet certain compatibility and security specifications? This way, I could bring in my home laptop with my encrypted drive and not have to deal with switching between work and home–and we could still provide a centralized file storage and backup service to ensure institutional data is safe.
Some people might freak over the idea due to security and support issues. But think about it–most people have home computers and are managing them okay. Another option would be to make this an option for some people, e.g. you can either have a work-provided pc or take an allowance…. perhaps most people would just take the work provided one, but some (e.g. me) like the idea of just having one computer. Like the Marines: “This is my computer. There are many like it, but this one is MINE…”
Celeste said:
May 15, 08 at 10:54 amOne of the biggest problems I have with my new job is that no personal computers are allowed at work, personal email checking is forbidden at work (due to virus/worm fears) and the applications which can be installed on your work computer are seriously limited. I don’t understand this. I know it’s based on security, coroporate espionage defense, and generally trying to be Big Brother to your employees, but it does not make me more productive. If anything, if I were able to at least access my personal email more, I would be able to ensure that I wasn’t missing anything important in my personal life and wouldn’t feel I needed to leave on time.
In any case, aside from the need to vent with the above, I like your idea a lot. I miss my old laptop, and wish I’d been allowed to buy it even if I had to contribute a bit of it. What do you do with folks who get an allowance and then split quickly, though?
g-lo said:
May 15, 08 at 6:58 pmCan I get a workplace attire budget as well?
admin said:
May 16, 08 at 4:35 pmCeleste, I was thinking that we either eat the cost of the allowance or make it conditional for the first year.
G-lo–it’s not funny, man! The trustees are here and I had to get a new suit!
The whole allowance thing reminds me of an old New Yorker cartoon where the caption read, “of course, with these benefits there is no salary…”
kc said:
May 19, 08 at 7:55 amThe “assuming they meet certain compatibility and security specifications” is a biggie. Can you enforce this?
“most people have home computers and are managing them okay”…are you sure about this? I would suggest having a clear idea of what “okay” is.
hope they’re treating you well out there…
admin said:
May 19, 08 at 4:53 pmHi KC (and the Sunshine Band?),
No, we can’t enforce it. But it’s hard to enforce at work even when we “own” the stuff. So maybe we can just give up?
I have no idea if they’re managing them okay. But I keep thinking that all I really care about is the data and the applications, not the desktop. So if we can get out of the desktop support business and let the consumer market (and Bangalore) handle that, then maybe we’ll all be less frustrated. While the desktop support service might be worse for the consumer, it will save us all so much money that the increase in support elsewhere might make lots of people happy. I don’t know.
They’re treating me fine…at least to my face. 🙂
Thanks–I hope its capiche where you’re at.
kc said:
May 20, 08 at 7:29 amAdmin,
You know where I’m at…you decide if it’s capiche or not 🙂
I think that “maybe” making people happy is as good as it gets, yo.
Take care a you…
-kc