XPost: rec.arts.sf.written, rec.arts.sf.science   
   From: jclarkeusenet@cox.net   
      
   In article , robban@clubtelco.com   
   says...   
   >   
   > On 13/01/2014 1:43 pm, sna wrote:   
   > >   
   > >   
   > > "Your Name"  wrote in message   
   > > news:130120141632490428%YourName@YourISP.com...   
   > >> In article , David   
   > >> Friedman  wrote:   
   > >>> In article <130120141307202555%YourName@YourISP.com>,   
   > >>>  Your Name  wrote:   
   > >>> >   
   > >>> > Of course, if sci-fi really predicts the future, then cars of any sort   
   > >>> > will be useless because we'll simply use Star Trek transporters to   
   > >>> beam   
   > >>> > everywhere. Live in New York, but work in Sydney? No problem, get   
   > >>> there   
   > >>> > in a fraction of a second.   :-)   
   > >>>   
   > >>> We already have the functional equivalent for many purposes --   
   > >>> telecommuting. A good deal easier to do.   
   > >   
   > >> Telecommuting doesn't really work,   
   > >   
   > > Like hell it doesn't.   
   > >   
   > > which is why so few real-world   
   > >> businesses actually have that ability.   
   > >   
   > > Plenty do, most obviously with the major telecoms operations   
   > > that can do almost everything config wise remotely and only   
   > > need to have someone physically visit the exchange when the   
   > > system has worked out that a card has failed and someone   
   > > needs to go there and physically change the card if it has failed   
   > > etc.   
   > >   
   > > Our local TV transmitters are all done like that now.   
   > >   
   > > The used to have people on site all day and now someone   
   > > only goes there when something needs to be changed   
   > > physically or they are installing some new hardware etc.   
   > >   
   > > And call centers outside the country are absolutely classic   
   > > telecommuting.   
   > >   
   > > It's only slightly more   
   > >> realistic than the "paperless office", which still doesn't exist   
   > >> (despite predictions in sci-fi stories).   
   > >   
   > > I don't get any paper at all from any of my ISPs   
   > > or any of the financial institutions I use anymore.   
   > >   
   > >> One reason is because costs businesses a lot more (or is taken out of   
   > >> employees wages) since they then have to pay for the internet   
   > >> connection, modem, extra printers, etc. to be installed in employees   
   > >> houses.   
   > >   
   > > Must be why all of the financial institutions charge more   
   > > if you want a paper bill now.   
   >   
   > OTOH, a lot of businesses and particularly government departments use a   
   > great deal of paper in pointless "mission statements" and other bullshit   
   > exercises. They even hire expensive "facilitators" to come in and make   
   > work harder by introducing more paper-wasting bullshit.   
      
   Then there was Jimmy Carter's "paperwork reduction act" whose only   
   effect was to add "paperwork reduction act compliance forms" and have   
   every form the government uses reissued with a "paperwork reduction   
   act" notice on it.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)