Natural mail enhancement
This Daily Kos diary quotes this story:
[Rep. Darrell] Issa [R-CA] stated unequivocally that [White House CIO Theresa] Payton’s testimony confirmed that the missing communications were not the result of deliberate malfeasance by the White House or negligence by the administration’s technology staff, but simply a computer glitch that ensued when the White House wanted to phase out an archaic email program.
In an exchange with Payton, Issa characterized Lotus Notes as “wagon-wheel” technology.
“I wouldn’t want to do business with somebody still using Lotus Notes or still using wooden wagon wheels,” Issa responded. “If I understand correctly, though, certainly I checked with the House of Representatives, we can no longer support it for members who want to stay on it.”
The Kos diarist (markthshark) comments:
Now, for middle-aged computer geeks, comparing Lotus Notes to “wagon wheel” technology is analogous to comparing a brand spanking new Dell XPS 630 Desktop to a 1970′s era Commodore PET (Personal Electronic Transactor).
The excuse is laughable. (to be kind)
I’ll grant him that the excuse is indeed laughable, but as a middle-aged computer geek who is forced to use Lotus Notes at work, I can assure you, I’d much rather deal with wagon wheels: at least you can see them move once in a while.
Tam »
28 March 2008 · 9:02 pm
To be fair, she should have said “wagon wheel with pneumatic tyre” technology. Then the Kossacks wouldn’t have been able to split her hairs.
McGehee »
29 March 2008 · 12:34 pm
Can “thshark” really say for sure that congressional offices weren’t still using the PET when Lotus Notes came out?
Flack »
30 March 2008 · 8:52 am
Chalk up the FAA as another user of Wagon Wheel mail technology. As backwards as that program is to deal with, one thing I can say is that we rarely have any type of e-mail virus problems; the software is so backwards that it simply doesn’t know what to do with the attachments. :)
Kirk »
31 March 2008 · 8:45 am
If this whole mail fiasco ends up in court, it should be interesting, since the federal courts all use Lotus Notes….