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Why did West Virginia stick $22,600 routers in tiny libraries

by MoneyMagnetMagnate
19 replies
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"A bizarre operation": Why West Virginia stuck $22,600 routers in tiny libraries -
366 more of the routers are just sitting in a warehouse.

This is just crazy...a 22,600 router in a library with ONE terminal ?? -

"A bizarre operation": Why West Virginia stuck $22,600 routers in tiny libraries | Ars Technica

(I have actually found similar, but not as outrageous pricing structures in the purchase of Cisco routers, for the same router in institutional pricing, and commercial / home use...the price varies widely on how/who writes the req. - and if they don't bother to shop it)
  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    The answer is there is no answer.
    More government waste.
    There really are two options:
    One they are actually that stupid to pay that much when a $99 router off the shelf at Costco would do the job
    or
    Two: government corruption.
    Take your pick.
    I'm guessing Two.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    "COMMERCIAL GRADE"?!?!?!? NEWS for them! I have used routers to SATURATE the local network for ******DAYS****** SOLID! Literally running ALL NIGHT, HECK, the better part of ALL WEEK! Sometimes wth 3-4 real users on them.

    And these were CHEAP routers that cost less than $200! ONE of them is enough to support an entire medium size library!

    But government agencies are lazy and greedy. That means they can't be troubled with finding GOOD stuff to buy, and buy stuff to sap the budget so it is increased next year. HEY, it is a LIBRARY! How about creating some electronic versions, tying security together, and getting some nice books? Maybe build some little rooms, and a central system so people could be tutored, or listen to, and watch, materials.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
    In this case I don' think is was intentional negligence but ignorance.

    They had some money to spend.
    The people in charge of the money had absolutely NO IDEA what was actually needed and took advice at face value.
    An unwise action when the advice is coming from the company trying to sell you the equipment.

    That's like going into a car dealership and saying.
    "I have 60K to spend. What car should I buy?" and then wondering how you spent 59K on a car.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Halcyon,

    If they can't even check at a store, or ask simple questions, they shouldn't have access to such money. Say what you want about banks BUT, at least in the 80s-90s, MOST V.P.s at banks could spend no more than $10,000 for a department without approval.

    Of course, I once saw a RFP(Request for Proposal) from a California government agency. It was HUGE and HEAVY! It probably cost over $10 to create and send to us. We were probably one of THOUSANDS it was sent to. It included a note that told us not to bother answering it! SERIOUSLY! ONLY minority or women owned businesses were allowed to respond. They wanted to buy a piece of antiquated equipment at a HIGH price! INCREDIBLE! MOST are BAD, but this one was WORSE as the RFPs probably cost more than the device which ITSELF cost more than the best products on the market.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Another thing is that departments are allocated money every year.
    They are all afraid of the "if we don't spend it all they will cut it from us next year"
    I've seen that mentality at several government agencies I have worked at over the years.
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  • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
    The problem with a bureaucratic budget (and I won't try to get po-li-tickle) is that they don't seem to get points for meeting or exceeding expectations with the budget they are given, or rolling over monies, or returning unused funding into the coffers to be re-distributed...

    Their goal is to use the budget they are given - all of it - in hopes of being given a larger one next time.

    I remember reading a story once about a state DMV office that had $60,000 left in their budget one year - so they went out and bought 60K worth of PLANTS for the office! This kind of mindset has got to end - the kitty is now nothing but kitty litter...

    These guys act like it's Christmas all the time on the public's dime, and it does not matter what 'party' is holding the party...they all need to take the some of the blame.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Exactly my point 3M.
    And you're right, doesn't matter what party is in charge.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by KimW View Post

      Exactly my pint 3M.
      And you're right, doesn't matter what party is in charge.
      Are we going from shots to pints now, Kim? :p

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Whatchoo talkin bout willis?
    Me make a typo? nevah, ah say nevah!!
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  • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
    Here's another one that will toast your posties...

    Earmark Puts $17,000 Drip Pans on Army Craft

    Thanks to a powerful Kentucky congressman who has steered tens of millions of federal dollars to his district, the Army has bought about $6.5 million worth of the “leakproof” drip pans in the last three years to catch transmission fluid on Black Hawk helicopters. And it might want more from the Kentucky company that makes the pans, even though a similar pan from another company costs a small fraction of the price: about $2,500.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/19/us...mark.html?_r=1
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by MoneyMagnetMagnate View Post

      Here's another one that will toast your posties...

      Earmark Puts $17,000 Drip Pans on Army Craft

      Thanks to a powerful Kentucky congressman who has steered tens of millions of federal dollars to his district, the Army has bought about $6.5 million worth of the "leakproof" drip pans in the last three years to catch transmission fluid on Black Hawk helicopters. And it might want more from the Kentucky company that makes the pans, even though a similar pan from another company costs a small fraction of the price: about $2,500.

      http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/19/us...mark.html?_r=1
      HERE'S a thought! Why don't they demand that the helicopters are BUILT with them?

      Steve
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      • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
        Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

        HERE'S a thought! Why don't they demand that the helicopters are BUILT with them?

        Steve
        Yeah, you'd figure at the Per-unit cost of the Army's UH-60L Black Hawk is aprox. $5.9 million...they could at least throw in a free oil pan :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Okay -- the techno-idiot has a couple of questions here, because I'm not sure of what they can do with a router. Can they store and transfer personal data with one? If so, is it possible that the library in question may actually just be the supply source for the state and that they will be distributed all over the state? I really can't make a judgement to research unless I know what the hell a router can do. LMAO. Being a techno-idiot sucks sometimes.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Okay -- the techno-idiot has a couple of questions here, because I'm not sure of what they can do with a router. Can they store and transfer personal data with one? If so, is it possible that the library in question may actually just be the supply source for the state and that they will be distributed all over the state? I really can't make a judgement to research unless I know what the hell a router can do. LMAO. Being a techno-idiot sucks sometimes.
      Routers generally:

      1. split network paths(so each can go a different "route", and allow several paths to share the resource.)
      2. can provide a firewall
      3. can encrypt data
      4. can provide DHCP control, to facilitate administration
      5. can provide some endpoint features, such as wifi

      Otherwise, they are generally NOT supposed to do anything. short of a tiny volatile buffer, they shouldn't have ANY storage.

      The one I have, at home, for example, can handle like 5 wired connections, 50 wifi, with encryption, provides a firewall, and allows you to do it all with NO administration.

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    BTW heysal,

    What YOU seem to be implying could be done for effectively FREE, and in less than a day PLANET WIDE! ALL they have to do is require all the libraries to use a connection THEY provide, and track it AT THE SOURCE!!!! Instead of having thousands and thousands of problematic points, etc.... They can have just ONE! NO SPECIAL HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE NEEDED!

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Steve hit the nail on the head for you Sal.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Ah - okay, thanks, Steve. Since there is not any real extra surveillance perks in owning the equipment - there is only one reason for it to be there. Abject stupidity - on our dime.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Ah - okay, thanks, Steve. Since there is not any real extra surveillance perks in owning the equipment - there is only one reason for it to be there. Abject stupidity - on our dime.
      OR BRIBERY! It is WELL KNOWN, and is a FELONY, but they actually have laws AGAINST prosecuting it! But people WILL, for their constituents or heavy donors, or friends, basically EMBEZZLE money! Since THEY would have a hard time doing this, they pass special LAWS or EARMARKS mandating that certain stuff be bought, a certain price paid, etc... So basically they force OTHERS to do a lot of the dirty work.

      Steve
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