Think Different.
There are a lot of high tech workers in the 36th District. I have a ton of friends who work at Microsoft and the company is an important economic driver in my district and Washington state. I’ve done business with the company through the years and generally think well of the the Microsoft subculture. The 36th is arguable the most tech savvy district in the state and I take it as a bade of honor to represent the good folks whom this describes. (Disclosure: Microsoft contributed to my 2008 campaign).
It drives me absolutely nuts that the Legislative Service Center (the IT department of the Legislature) doesn’t support, allow, consider, utilize or otherwise enable ANY other system besides the Redmond boys.
After much reflection, I am convinced that this lack of flexibility in our little legislative IT department is actually a symbolic representation of the challenge of change in Olympia.
The LSC’s argument for using Microsoft only products is consistency, ease of support across multiple customer segments, control and more. The lack of willingness of the House Administration to allow us to use our own systems, computers, networks, etc. is driven by the idea that some legislator might campaign on state time using state resources–and by a fear of security problems. Every policy (access to web, applications, computers, etc.) is driven by the campaign concern due to the scandals of the late 1980s and early 1990s when legislative staff and members were using state resources inappropriately. But fast forward to 2009 and they even won’t allow me to have a WiFi network in my legislative office because it will “compromise” security. Huh?
It’s a legitimate fear, and clear guidelines and policies are needed with punishments for legislators who get stupid, but we also have to put on the table the view that the cost of the fear through censorship and inflexibility for legislators has become extremely high.
I’m beyond thrilled that Rep. Jeff Morris, former chair of the Energy, Technology & Communications Committee, and now Speaker Pro Tempore, has been assigned the task of updating the House rules regarding technology. He’s a rock star and is moving the ball forward. Thank goodness. The good folks in the House administration are really, truly dedicated to change, it’s just that there are deep worries about the ethical guidelines and the need for clear policies. I get that.
Still, I’m an Apple guy through and through. In my business life I use a MacBook Pro, iPhone, iMac, etc., etc., etc. My legislative computer (ThinkPad) sits next to my MacBook Pro and is loaded with more Microsoft software than you can imagine. 95% of it which I don’t use or even understand. It takes double the time to start, triple the time to load, and crashes frequently. It’s slow, clunky, buggy and has a terrible user interface. But at least it’s expensive. 
When I ran for office I knew I’d be different. I just didn’t know how much I would “Think Different.”
One day, legislators will be able to control our own destiny and use the products and services we want–just like regular people living regular lives.
And we’ll have bold education reform, health care reform, environmental cleanup and much more. The two battles are linked together, and I’ll never, never, never, never give up.
Monopolies suck.
Reuven,
Kudos for seeking expansion of the IT system. If I can find it there is an issue of either the NCSL or CSG national magazine from about 1984 with a picture of me on its cover working on a Compaq luggable (the sewing machine computer)! The article that went with it described a vision in which each desk on the House floor would have a computer screen and keyboard tied to a dumb terminal tied to a mainframe. All this allowing members quick access to bills, amendments, committee meeting notes, etc. So much faster than the gigantic work room copy machine that broke down with regularity.
While much of that vision exists today, you are absolutely correct that it needs to continue to grow. Technology exceeds Moore’s Law almost exponentially in this present day. Though not perfect by any means, present technology can mitigate many of the concerns related to the issues raised by those who still live in the IT world of yesterday. Even taking incremental steps is better than standing still.
Security is always a concern when it comes to IT. Having worked in the corporate computer security field (and now with a software company with a security/facility ops product – used on the WA Ferry system, for one), there will always be those problems. But, careful management practices and solid policies go a long way in closing those. The ‘fear’ that something bad might happen paralyzes progress. Good to see you are on the side of making waves!
If anything, I’ve learned the only thing constant in life is change!
Mike