NYC keeps ahead of the curve, invests $1 million into typewriters

Endgadet ^ | Jul 14th 2009 | Ross Miller

[thefactor]

perhaps, but we do not have the computer infrastructure to fill-out and process reports on laptops. the bureaucracy is too massive. we fill out forms in quadruplicate and send a copy to 4 different departments.

[JCG]

An oxymoron?

New antique.

---

Send treats to the troops...
Great because you did it!
www.AnySoldier.com

[P.O.E.]

All they need is new carphones:

[P.O.E.]

All they need is new carphones:

[ctdonath2]

I was at Smith-Corona when they went under. Compelled to maintain stable/increasing returns on stocks, they failed to accept the reality that there was indeed a market for typewriters, but that though it was shrinking they would have been well served to focus thereon and scale operations accordingly. Instead, they went under and lost everything while trying to compete outright with computers (by delivering typewriters that included spreadsheets, databases, games, etc.).

[Travis T. OJustice]

Like in 1776?

[Dahoser]

When we look upon the typewriter, we tend to think of it as a somewhat romantic, antiquated technology for the English major in us to write that great mystery novel we've been toying with -- not something we'd imagine anyone would still be using in a professional setting. Unfortunately for New York's boys in blue, that's exactly the situation they find themselves in. According to NY Post, the city has plunked down $982,269 in a contract with New Jersey-based Swintec to provide thousands of new manual electric typewriters bound for NYPD offices over the next three years, with another $99,570 going to a company for maintaining the current lineup.

Electric? Real mystery writers use manual typewriters!

[autumnraine]

My former boss is a near 70 year old woman who caps locked all her words on forms and such because she said it was neater and also easier to read.

So she just couldn’t understand after years of avoiding the shift button why her friends were telling her to stop yelling at them on email, LOL!

[autumnraine]

No, but forms can be lost.

[mollynme]

I’ve still got a Panasonic Electronic Typewriter (1989 model) for all those pesky .pdf conference registration forms and credit applications, as most organizations don’t put them in a “fill-in” format on the internet.

That's what I have Adobe Acrobat for. That and it lets me "print" web pages to my desktop for later reading.

[Clemenza]

I have a Guttenberg Press for the FDNY if they want it...

[FelixFelicis]

Good point. But the truth of the matter is that our office manager (a loose term for someone who actually performs a lot of different functions) has been here for ages and knows her job inside and out... but is functionally computer-illiterate. As long as she’s here (and she’s a great lady, so no one’s kicking her out the door) some things will probably never get updated. But whenever she does retire, I’m guessing there’ll be a lot of changes around here.

[Age of Reason]

The police have enough problems without having to screw around with any damned computers.

[ravingnutter]

We’ve just got the Adobe Reader, so we can only read and print unless the author set the form up as a “fill-in” form. Also, even when it is “fill-in”, it sometimes won’t let you save a completed copy unless you print it...the Texas Sales and Use Tax Certificate is an example of one of those types that I use all the time.

[garyhope]

This is one of my pet peeves. You’d be surprised (or maybe not) how many of my “eductated” friends can’t write a simple, clear, logical declaritive sentance with a beginning middle and end that makes sense.

I’m surprised how many poor typists, writers, spellers there are out there that don’t know how to use the SHIFT KEY!

Many also don’t seem to know about those mysterious things called paragraphs.

I think poor writing also seems to go along with poor and emotionally hysterical , illogical thinking.

[Arrowhead1952]

Will they have the superscript that dan ra^THer said was used in the 1970s?

[Revolting cat!]

I was at Smith-Corona when they went under.

FYI, they still make beer!

[This I Wonder32460]

The office I work in has computers and a typewriter. We mostly each use our designated computers, but occasionally we use the typewriter to fill out non-computer based forms or type a quick envelope or label. Last year we ordered a 1/2 dozen or so typewriter and correction ribbons just in case there comes a time we are unable to purchase them.

[Travis T. OJustice]

I’m surprised how many poor typists, writers, spellers there are out there that don’t know how to use the SHIFT KEY!

How come your screen name isn't capitalized, and doesn't include proper spacing?

[Constitution Day]

Hilarious!