Do you remember, a little while back, I wrote about the email I’d fired off to Susan Carragher, about the computers in Brentwood and Shenfield libraries?
You don’t?
Now come on, it wasn’t that long ago … !!
At any rate, I do know I seem to have cause a stir — however small — with the relevant people at Essex county Council.
Because, in response to my last email, I had ANOTHER reply.
Only this time, from a chap called Graham Herbing, the Library Customer Services Supervisor, in Basildon.
Who I’m assuming is the chap at the more junior level who deal’s with this sort of thing.
And I’ve got to confess, his reply was …
Interesting …
Or, at least, something I felt to be an interesting piece of publicity bumf, explaining what Essex County Councils broad plans were, with regards to the People’s Network: the name given to the Library services public computer services.
Hmmmm …
Just as a reminder, here’s the text of the email I sent to Susan Carragher: which I believe she forwarded onto Graham Herbing.
Right …
All absorbed … ?
Here’s the reply he sent to me, yesterday morning …
Dear Mr Downie,
Thank you very much for taking the trouble to email us with your concerns.
Firstly, I would like to apologise for the delay in responding to your complaint. Unfortunately the council’s email server was out of action for a few days, so I was unable to get to your message.
Having looked at the details of your complaint, I can only agree with you that the current limitations of our library PC’s do mean that we cannot offer as flexible a service as we would like.
The People’s Network was originally intended to allow high speed access to the web to everyone. Over the years peoples expectations, the content on the web, and the way we use computers have all changed dramatically.
In Essex, we have a number of things happening over the coming months which will help address the gap between people’s expectations and the service we deliver.
- The network is being upgraded to cope with a higher volume of traffic, and deliver higher speed connections
- A new software build is being developed which will reduce logging on times, allow more file types to be used properly, and deal with the USB flash drive issues.
- Wireless access points will be available at all 72 libraries in Essex.
These improvements should deal with all the issues you raised, and deliver a much improved service all round.
I am sorry that we are not able to meet your expectations at the moment, but I hope you will be pleased that these improvements are on the way.
Yours sincerely,
Graham Herbing
Acting Group Manager,
Brentwood Library,
New Road,
Brentwood.
And here’s the reply I sent back, yesterday afternoon …
Dear Mr Herbing,
Thanks for getting back to me on this subject: I’m glad to get a reply from you.
And can I also say ‘Thank You’ for outlining the basic plan’s that you have for the library computer services.
They’re nice to know.
But … !
Oh, dear me, but … !
But I think I have one or two additional questions I’d like to put to you: questions I’ve also raised with Ms Susan Carragher, the Director of Adult Learning and Libraries.
I’ll attach a copy of the email dialogue I had with Ms Carragher, but to summarise …
One of my concerns was exactly one you raised: the ‘new software build’ you describe in your email.
I’d like to know what you have in mind, there, if you don’t mind my asking.
One of the points I raised with her was whether the Council would — as part of the much needed overhaul — would be investing in Apple Macintosh computers.
These are — as you know — near enough impervious to the various forms of malicious software circulating the ’Net: 99% of which are aimed at the various Windows platforms many people use.
And, while I realise that Apple charges a premium for their machines, I’m also aware that I — as a Mac user — have had to use little other than basic common sense — rather than expensive anti-virus software — to make sure I and my kit is safe, on-line. I also pointed out to Ms Carragher that Apple include a hefty discount for educational establishments, and that the Council’s purchasers should be able to take advantage of this.
I also pointed out to Ms Gallagher that the far cheaper alternative would be to use what’s called F/OSS: Free and open source software, in other words: again, dealt with in my last email, to her. But the Ubuntu Linux OS — to use the example I gave her — is free to use, for both government, enterprise and home user.
I’d like to know if that’s something Essex County Council will be using in the proposed new build: after all, Linux distributions like Ubuntu are free, many within your IT department will be using a server version on their internal machines, AND the soon to be released version of it will happily run on the current library machines.
At no extra cost to the Council, or to Essex taxpayers.
•••••
Which (sort of) brings me to my next point …
Sort of …
I couldn’t help but notice you mentioning that one of the various improvements to the library computer service would be ‘Wireless access points will be available at all 72 libraries in Essex.’
Hmmmm …
OK, now granted I know many people — many of my friends, included — have wireless capabilities built into their machines.
Which is my first point to raise: I’m assuming that the library service have made provision — however basic — for each library to have at least one member of staff capable of talking members of the public through how to connect their laptops to the library’s wireless hotspot.
Whether that laptop is running Windows NT, Me, 2000, XP, Vista, & 7, OR Mac OS X 10•3•9 (Panther) and above, OR whatever form of Linux they happen to prefer: just so you know, those are — from what I’ve learnt — the dozen or so extant operating systems — counting everything — most commonly seen, today.
To not do so, I think, would be seriously limiting the help you wish to give, and that I as a customer would wish to receive.
SECONDLY … !!
Secondly, there’s also the point that I’m aware that some of my friends and neighbours have laptops that aren’t wireless capable: at least, not with the software provided.
Will that ‘wireless’ access also include one or two spare wired access points, for those who’ve not had the chance to upgrade their laptops?º
After all, in today’s technology age, ‘Customer Service’ means trying to think ahead of the game!
Yours,
Paul Downie.
And here’s what he sent back, today …
Dear Mr Downie,
Thank you for your further questions.
As you are communicating with Susan Carragher I will pass this to her so the library service can provide a coordinated response to your enquiries.
Some of your questions will require further information from our corporate IT team. Susan has asked for their input and will respond to you more fully when she has that.
Yours sincerely,
Graham Herbing
Which I think I’ve caused a bit of a stink …
•••••
Right, let’s move on, shall we?
Because I think I want to mention a couple of other thing’s, if I may … ?
Right, we ALL know there’s an election on in the UK, don’t we?
I mean, we couldn’t miss it, here in the UK, could we?
I think the only show that hasn’t mentioned it, so far, is the episode of The Sky At Night I’ve currently got on in the background.
And frankly, if it’s not measured in stellar masses, light years or parsecs, I think Sir Patrick isn’t going to be bothered … !
At ANY rate!
I know I’ve seen a couple of worthy causes, doing the rounds.
First off, I know I’ve — on and off — suffered with depression, so when a couple of friends mentioned Rethink — the mental health charity — and it’s campaign to raise awareness the subject amongst MP’s. The link for their petition is here, so you know!
And — secondly — there’s also something Movie Night Adrian sent me, as well.
Ever here of Robin Hood?
Robbing from the rich, and giving to the poor*?
Which is the name — or nickname, I should say — given to the proposed 0•5% tax on financial transactions between banks, and specifically earmarked for various worthy causes.
Actually, I’ve got to admit, I like this one!
Let’s face, banker’s haven’t exactly made themselves popular, in the past few months: it’s just a shame it’s been overshadowed by the row about potential increases in National Insurance payments … !!
Either way, I’m going to suggest you maybe pass those links on …
•••••
And FINALLY … !!
I’m famous!
I think!
Well … !!
As you’ve probably noticed, I’ve had that advert for Dr Paul’s quiz questions in the side bar for some time, now.
After all, I’d originally started the Ol’ Peculiar blog as a way of advertising my own pub quizzes, so it seemed fair enough to post a few resources up!
Now Paul had been asking dozen’s of quiz master’s what they’re favourite quiz questions were, with a view to putting them together and passing them ’round.
And I’m pleased to admit that I’m rather pleased …
Because, in amongst the absolutely fantastic mix of questions — including one about the lyrics of Squeeze hit, Up the Junction — is a contribution from little ol’ me!!
I think I’m gonna close there.
With a nicely contented sigh … !!
º Actually, that reminds me … ! I should’ve asked about keyboards and monitors. For those of us with seriously portable desktops …
* Which is bloody obvious, really: the rich are the ones with stuff you’ll want to steal, the poor are the ones you’re going to have to give money to, to help avoid getting caught by the sheriff! Mythology’s all very well and good, but let’s get practical, shall we?
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