"What would help the most is to eliminate both the dependency on expensive commercial software and also eliminate the company-owned computer. If, like master mechanics in machine shops, the employee owned his or her own tools, none of this would be an issue. That means the company would require its knowledge worker to purchase specific tools and he or she would then own them. A company store could sell these products and even buy them back at the end of an employment period."
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Member since:2005-07-23
Member since:While you make very good points, I have already run into companies adopting similar policies.
For instance, a company that does insurance adjustment required digital cameras be purchased by the adjusters with their own money. They provided a set of poorly thought-out specs for those cameras and a date by which everyone was to have them.
There were rumblings about next requiring employees to work from home with their own computer equipment loaded with some of the company's software. Telco including voice & data would be provided by the 'employee'.
With many companies cutting costs by using contractors, the idea of having 'employees' provide their own equipment --hardware & software-- is not so far fetched. There are many problems that are unforseen by dim-witted management, but that won't stop them from trying this.
While these 'tools' do not have the long durable life, that isn't the company's problem. They'll only care that the work gets done. This may be a quick way to get short-term bottom-line results.
Member since:"There were rumblings about next requiring employees to work from home with their own computer equipment loaded with some of the company's software. Telco including voice & data would be provided by the 'employee'.
With many companies cutting costs by using contractors, the idea of having 'employees' provide their own equipment --hardware & software-- is not so far fetched. There are many problems that are unforseen by dim-witted management, but that won't stop them from trying this."
The words you're looking for are Telecommuting and Home-Business. Personally I wouldn't mind. A home-based business is one of the few ways left to making it in the US. Plus I get to call the shots. Businesses no longer can provide job security, and now they can't even provide pensions, insurance, or any of the other benefits. So one might as well go the rest of the way, and cut the cord. Let them provide the one thing their good at...money. We do the rest.
Member since:
2005-09-13
There's an obvious problem in comparing ownership of computers, much less software, with the tools owned by a master mechanic or other skilled craftsman. Computers and software are designed by the vendors to be obsolete as quickly as possible, so they can continue to make money by selling replacements and upgrades. A set of SnapOn wrenches on the other hand, are a lifetime investment, backed by a lifetime warranty, and can easily be passed own from generation to generation. My set of 35 year old combination wrenches still work just fine and do a job worth doing.
An IBM XT personal computer at a mere twenty years old on the other hand, has no value in the business world, and is nothing more than a historic artifact akin to whale-oil lamps and about as useful.
The oldest computer I've personally owned was a Vax from DEC capable of a screaming 1 MIPS performance level, and it ended it's useful life as a pool-side bar dispensing cans of barley beverages until it finally rusted out. The sole element of that computer surviving today is the 8" hard drive platters, which have been re-purposed as a set of hurricane chimes.
If I would have paid for that POS, I would be greviously disappointed.