US Census Bureau Discusses the $600m Deal

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/technology/story/0,10801,110277,00.html' target='_blank'>http://www.computerworld.com/mobile...,110277,00.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Windows Mobile was not a priority to us. It didn't matter to us if it was Windows Mobile 5.0 or something else. We put out a request for proposals and listed our functional requirements and said, "Here's what we need," so it was up to industry to figure out the right solution."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20051118-WM.gif" /><br /><br />Here's an article discussing the US Census Bureau's <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=47748">recent order</a> of half a million Windows Mobile-based handsets. As you go through it, note how Windows Mobile became the bureau's choice of platform. It's an interesting read.

[Jason Dunn]

Some of the questions were downright goofy. Handhelds being perceived as more intrusive than a clipboard? What planet is the interviewer living on...? :?

[Darius Wey]

Handhelds being perceived as more intrusive than a clipboard? What planet is the interviewer living on...? :?

Well, you know - those infrared beams are pretty threatening. 8)

[WorksForTurkeys]

How long before the first census taker's unit is compromised and NYC is recorded as having 10,000,000,000 residents living at the corner of Broadway and 72nd St? That would give NY an additional 50 representatives in Congress - I think this could be the beginnings of 'interesting times' (as in the Chinese curse).

[tnelson2000]

I have to say I question this as maybe, just maybe, another 'pork' project? I took a few days to think this over because I am such a fan of PPCs. However, why does a person need a pocket pc to write down how many people live at a certain address? (Yes, I know there are 100 other questions, but that is a whole other debate. . . if someone wants to know what race I am, please let them know I am a member of the 'human' race.)

Well maybe they think this will cut down on data entry because they can just electronically transmit the data base file to the central computer. But can't they scan the written forms? Plus what about security &amp; fraud? Is there going to be no hard copy signed document audit trail?

And my final question, is how many of these devices will actually be used? The last time I tried to use my PPC in the sunlight I certainly could not read the screen. If the sun is out, won't the census takers have to leave the PPC in the car and go back to paper and pen? I certainly would not want to invite one of them into my house if they came to my door. Heck you cannot even trust people that work for Homeland Security not to be child abusers these days!

Once again, "What is the difference between government and organized crime?!"

The answer: one of them is organized!

Anyway, I have to say I could be 100% wrong with my initial thoughts here. Does anyone know more about this project??

PS
Hey Jason, if these devices don't work for us, do you think Canada might want to buy them at a discount? I understand the sun doesn't shine as much up there. :wink:

[Jason Dunn]

Hey Jason, if these devices don't work for us, do you think Canada might want to buy them at a discount? I understand the sun doesn't shine as much up there. :wink:

At the rate the US dollar is weakening and the Canadian dollar is getting stronger, pretty soon you'll have to pay us to take them off your hands. ;-)

[PPCRules]

The last time I tried to use my PPC in the sunlight I certainly could not read the screen. ...
The last two devices I've had (so going back 4 years) are very usable in the direct sunlight, so that shouldn't be a problem with a new device.

Do you have maybe a Jornada 525? That one was useless in the bright sunlight. I think the industry figured out that was not a good idea.

I'm looking forward to when they liquidate all these after the census is over.

[tnelson2000]

Nope, the devices I have never been able to use in sunlight are:
ipaq 3600, ipaq 3870, toshiba e800, and HP hx4700. But this is by far not a list of all devices. Maybe there is a new screen technology on the horizon.

However, this seems to still be a huge chuck of tax dollars for a one time use! I wonder what the ROI analysis looks like. Oh silly me, Govt is non-profit so ROI is not in their vocabulary.

I also am looking forward to the liquidation sale. I wonder if they will end up on eBay or uBid??