Modernizing

Slowly They Modernize: A Federal Agency That Still Uses Floppy Disks

Jada F. Smith

December 6, 2013

The New York Times

                Technology is one thing in our society that is always growing, always changing.  It’s best for society to change with the growing new technology.  Some people are happy with these changes; others are hesitant to change, such as the government.  The government is the one thing that we rely on for literally everything.  We rely on the government to protect us, serve us, and to keep everything in order.  Are there any consequences to the government not growing with society? Are there consequences to the government not updating their technology? 

                The article stated that the government’s technology problems with the HealthCare.gov website rollout may not been surprising to certain areas of the government, especially those who still use floppy disks, the cutting-edge technology of the 1980s.  Every day, the Federal Registrar uploads and updates the website with over 100 changes pertaining to executive orders, proclamations, proposed rule changes and other government notices that federal agencies are mandated to submit for public inspection.  However, the Federal Register employees who take in the information for publication from across the government still receive some of it on the 3.5-inch plastic storage squares that have become all but obsolete in the United States.  Why hasn’t the government changed over to flash drives or CD’s?

                “You’ve got this antiquated system that still works but is not nearly as efficient as it could be,” said Stan Soloway, chief executive of the Professional Services Council, which represents more than 370 government contractors. “Companies that work with the government, whether longstanding or newcomers, are all hamstrung by the same limitations.”  Floppy disks started out in the 1990’s and have become “ancient” in today’s time.  I don’t understand why the government doesn’t comply with updating their ways of formatting and mailing information to different agencies. 

                The secure email system, which uses software called Public Key Infrastructure technology, is expensive, and some government agencies have not yet upgraded to it. As a result, some agencies still scan documents on to a computer and save them on floppy disks.  The Federal Register’s director of legal affairs and policy, Amy P. Bunk, stated “that although many agencies did use the secure email system, The Federal Register could not require it until Congress made it compulsory by law.” 

                Other people are stating that some agencies have adapted to the new technology but that other agencies aren’t ready to adapt.  The truth is that they need to.  Floppy disks are “ancient” and some computers don’t accommodate them, to be honest.  Adapt and survive is what we do and what we should do.