Guyana is a country in distress

Feb 09, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
As one with tremendous computer knowledge having owned my first Apple computer more than 30 years ago, I’ve been following the ongoing debate on President Jagdeo’s ‘One Laptop Per Family’ giveaway programme with keen interest.
In a perfect Guyana, this programme would have been welcomed and the President would have been praised for his vision. But Guyana is a country in distress, and the way we spend taxpayers money needs to reflect our priorities.
First of all, the brand name of the computer that the Administration seems determined to buy, is not well known or used in the USA where practically everyone below 50 years old is computer literate.
Unlike the more popular brands: Apple, Sony, Dell, Toshiba, and Panasonic, ‘Lenovo’ does not come to mind when one is thinking of buying a computer, for it does not inspire much confidence in its performance, as can be seen from the numerous consumer complaints that have been posted on the ConsumerAffairs.com website (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/lenovo.html).
These horror stories from people who bought Lenovo computers, described a number of serious problems they encountered with this brand: Lack of technical support; faulty design issues; right hinge screen breaking apart; rebooting problems; keyboard problems; overheating of the power switch; defective DVD drive; screen going black; and hard drive crashing, just to name a few.
What I’m asking here is; did anyone in the Administration do any research on this brand before committing to buy a product with such poor consumer ratings? Even at US$295. each, which will likely buy only refurbished computers or junk, we’re talking about spending over US$26.5 million of taxpayers money to buy 90,000 computers that may soon end up having a new home in the newly opened landfill at Haags Bosch.
And for the records, the 20 Lenovo G550 2958-XFU RT laptop computers that were recently purchased by the Office of the President at a cost of US$585.00 each (total: US$11,700), could have been purchased for only US$390.00 each (total: US$7,800), if someone had used commonsense to research this online (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834146839 ), instead of giving an extra US$3,900 to AN Electronics of 30 North Road Bourda, just for placing the order.
The big question remains: Why is this Administration, with all the scrutiny to which it is subjected, still being so liberal with the taxpayers money, spending it like drunken sailors?
The person who approved the order for these computers from AN Electronics ought to be fired just for being stupid. This clearly demonstrates incompetence, lack of responsibility, and the unwillingness to use his/her brain to compare prices.
But if this was done, then an investigation is warranted to determine the relationship if any, between government officials and the owner of AN Electronics to guard against a corrupt government transaction.
Now back to the ‘One Laptop Per Family’.  At present, this programme is dumb, irresponsible, indefensible, and ought to be revisited. This is another opportunity for corruption and disaster in the making, and it is unlikely to achieve the required result. Much have already been said about the additional expenses poor parents will be burdened with to pay for monthly internet services, but a schoolchild with a computer needs a printer as well.
Printers are relatively inexpensive, but the ink cartridges are not. Then again, with the electricity service throughout Guyana so unstable and unreliable, the computer motherboards wouldn’t survive these power surges for long.
In addition, who’s to prevent an older brother, sister, or a parent from taking possession of the laptop for his/her own use? And if there are several children in a home attending school, who gets the laptop to use?
If this programme must be done, a desktop computer is by far more superior to have in the home for all to use, as compared to a laptop that is fragile; easily damaged especially in the care of a child; and an easy target for criminals, risking serious injury or death to a child who tries to prevent the laptop from being stolen.
In my opinion, part of the money budgeted for this project can be best utilized by installing computer labs in every school and public library, and including computer classes as part of the school’s curriculum.
Only children should have access to computers in public libraries to do research and homework after school hours.
By doing so, the desktop computers will be protected and not abused; will all have internet access with printers; will not pose a financial burden to poor families; and children will learn much needed computer skills under supervision, avoiding online sexual predators.
But equally important, the rest of the money that will be saved by implementing this procedure, can be used to install a much-needed computer database for the Guyana Police. This will give law enforcement a very powerful tool to use in the fight against traffic violators and crime.
The system to which I refer is the same as is being used very effectively in the United States. Computers are installed in every police vehicle. All drivers’ licenses are computerized and the driver ID is linked to his personal information which is stored in a computer database at Police Headquarters.
When a vehicle is stopped for a traffic violation, the standard operating procedure allows the police officer to run a check on the driver’s licence and the vehicle’s registration number through their computer in the police car.
By accessing the driver’s information on the computer, the officer can determine the proper registration of the vehicle to ensure it is properly registered and not stolen.
The officer will also know if the driver is wanted by the police; has any previous violations; has any outstanding warrants for his arrest; is driving with a suspended license; is a child molester or convicted felon.
On the other hand, it will also tell the officer if the driver of the vehicle is a law-abiding citizen with no prior encounters with the law. This information helps the police to know who they’re dealing with, and to take the necessary precautions.
I am sure that the United States Government will be pleased to provide all technical support and advice in helping to setup this system.
If implemented, the Guyana Police will be able to compile a history of one’s driving record; quickly track down and arrest wanted criminals; recover stolen vehicles; prevent alcoholics from driving; identify convicted felons and much more.
This is a tool the Guyana Police desperately need in their fight against crime, and to curb the scourge of dangerous driving on our roads. And with the US$26.5 million budgeted for computers, at least the taxpayers will be getting value for money.
Harry Gill

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