GovLoop and Hewlett-Packard recently held a knowledge dialogue with the GovLoop community to discover the importance of refreshing your PC.

1. NEED A PC REFRESH? YOU’RE NOT ALONE
GovLoop and Hewlett-Packard recently held a knowledge dialogue with the GovLoop
community to discover the importance of refreshing your PC.
To help frame the mindset, the discussion began with an opportunity to allow the GovLoop
community to vent about current issues or problems they experience with their current
equipment.
Through this discussion, My Computer’s Jacked
Up: Share your Horror Story!, we have found that
there are several pieces of hardware and software
that disrupt productivity in the workplace. Faye
Newsham stated;
“I have a friend who used to do very
intensive graphics…he would come in and
“render” a drawing to prepare for printing
which would take hours and hours
(sometimes days). Click a button and then
go disc-golfing, lunch, whatever…”
In a similar fashion, Susan Duis has a newfound pet peeve for wireless mouse/keyboards due
to their ability “to suck down batteries, have sketchy connectivity, and altogether are not worth
it.” She also mentions another frustration with “software, rather than hardware, based-
programs that are obsolete and have not been supported for years, but are still in use for some
reason. So we keep them updated and pray they don‟t die unexpectedly.”
With obsolete software, continuously dying wireless mouse/keyboards, overused printers and
lack of administrator privileges it appears as though the GovLoop community is requesting an
overhaul of hardware, software and policies to increase productivity and efficiency.
Caryn Wesner-Early commented, “Yes, but just think how it would go over if an item in the next
tax increase was “better computer equipment for government employees.” We thought people
were excited about the health bill.” Leads us to part two of this discussion, Hey Boss: Give Me
a New Computer (PLEASE!).
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2. Christina Morrison of HP shared her thoughts with the GovLoop community;
“The most convincing argument for persuading your
boss of the importance of the PC refresh may be the
financial one…Even if you can‟t put an exact figure to
determine the amount of time you may save from
working with a more efficient machine, you may be able
to estimate the saved money in electricity, or the extra
battery time per day you can use to work away from
your desk.”
Undergoing a refresh does require resources some offices simply don‟t have. Peter Sperry
provided us with insight from the private sector where he was “working for a boss who simply
gave everyone an annual "computer allowance" along with a list of minimum requirements and
told us to buy whatever we wanted. I supplemented my initial allowance with some of my own
money; bought a top of the line system in year 1 and pocketed the allowance in years 2 & 3.
Worked out well for all concerned.”
Perhaps one of the best tips came from Rob Carty, from his experience in local government;
he found that a little bit of research could go a long way. “…even if the end reality doesn't
match your assumptions you've at least shown a deliberative thought process and that should
convince most managers to back you up. Managers like to say, „yes‟ but they usually need a
reason. Because their managers will ask, „why?‟”
All in all, a refresh is valuable and much needed in the government space. Take the time to
submit your reasons for needing an upgrade; it goes much further than just wanting one.
About the Knowledge Dialogue: GovLoop and Hewlett-Packard executed this online forum in May
2010. A total of 31 GovLoop members provided commentarial feedback while more than 500 members
read the discussion.
About GovLoop: GovLoop is the premier social network for Government connecting over 29,000
government innovators from federal, state, and local government. It is the place to be for today's
government leaders. Become a member today at www.GovLoop.com.
About HP: HP is a technology company that operates in more than 170 countries around the world.
HP explores how technology and services can help people and companies address their problems and
challenges, and realize their possibilities, aspirations and dreams.
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