Administrative Computer and Printer Replacements

[pete_arnett-p40]

It would be nice to know if that's a church policy or a local one. If it's a church one, then it would be nice if the polices and letters section would be updated.

Good question and I will also do a posting at LDSClerks (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ldsclerks/) to see if anyone there knows if this is a local or church wide policy

[aebrown]

It would be nice to know if that's a church policy or a local one. If it's a church one, then it would be nice if the polices and letters section would be updated.

I find it hard to believe that the changes to computer replacement policy are completely standard across the Church. I have seen posts that say:

• No automatic replacements: Computers will only be replaced on failure (this is repeated in this post and is also what my local FM Group has told me).
• Delayed/spread out replacements: Computers slated for 2009 replacement will be replaced 1/3 in 2009, 1/3 in 2010, 1/3 in 2011.
• Computers replaced, but monitors/printers only on failure: Computers still replaced on 5-year schedule, but monitors and printers replaced only as they fail.

Given these differences, it seems to me that all FM Groups are having their budgets dramatically reduced -- there is ample evidence that this is the case Church-wide -- but that the particular impact on the computer portion of the budget depends on local budget priorities, other needs, etc. So we should look to our local FM Group for specifics applicable to our particular wards and stakes.

[lajackson]

It would be nice to know if that's a church policy or a local one. If it's a church one, then it would be nice if the polices and letters section would be updated.

I think each FM group is getting to decide how they will meet their budget cut challenge. Our FM group announced that a program where 1/3 of the computers due for replacement will be replaced this year, 1/3 next, 1/3 in 2011. They also announced that the large number of computers due to be replaced next year will be replaced at a rate of 1/3 per year.

Our FM group policy includes a statement that they will replace a computer that fails when it fails.

[Doug.Townsend-p40]

I have been my stakes technology clerk for about a year, and I have been told that computers will only be replaced when they fail. Due to budget cuts we will not be doing any scheduled replacements.

This brings up a couple of questions that I have had for a long time, but I have never seen them addressed.

First, I have noticed that the computers have not received any Microsoft updates for years, and are still running Windows XP PRO with service pack 2. What is the policy for Microsoft upgrades and who is responsible for keeping the PCs current?

Second, I have noticed that the Symantec Antivirus software does not automatically update and I have to do this manually. Is the a way to make antivirus updates happen automatically? I am locked out of the control panel.

[mkmurray]

I have been my stakes technology clerk for about a year, and I have been told that computers will only be replaced when they fail. Due to budget cuts we will not be doing any scheduled replacements.

This brings up a couple of questions that I have had for a long time, but I have never seen them addressed.

First, I have noticed that the computers have not received any Microsoft updates for years, and are still running Windows XP PRO with service pack 2. What is the policy for Microsoft upgrades and who is responsible for keeping the PCs current?

Second, I have noticed that the Symantec Antivirus software does not automatically update and I have to do this manually. Is the a way to make antivirus updates happen automatically? I am locked out of the control panel.

I'll redirect you to this thread for Microsoft updates: http://tech.lds.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2226

And to this thread for Symantec updates (this link will you start you off with one post in particular): http://tech.lds.org/forum/showthread.ph ... #post13063

[Doug.Townsend-p40]

Thank-you...

[russellhltn]

I have been my stakes technology clerk for about a year, and I have been told that computers will only be replaced when they fail. Due to budget cuts we will not be doing any scheduled replacements.

You may want to inquire more deeply.

The 5-year replacement program started 5 years ago, so this year was the year when a great number of machines came up for replacement - provided that someone at FM remembered to put it in the budget.

The situation may be different with different FM groups, but it appears that most of them have been told to spread the "wave" of replacements over 3 years. I haven't seen any sign from on high that the replacement program is completely dead, just modified.

[lajackson]

You may want to inquire more deeply.

I haven't seen any sign from on high that the replacement program is completely dead, just modified.

Our FM group was told to figure out how to meet the budget cuts any way they could, and it was suggested to them that sliding the replacements over a 3-year period would be one way to do it. The FM group actually sent us a spreadsheet (very brave of them) showing a three-year plan to replace the admin computers throughout their entire area of responsibility.

So we know exactly when they plan to make the replacements. We have also been able to see that they are holding back a little so that they will be able to replace failed computers. We also can see that they made the plan so that older computers will be replaced first, and since our stake actually got ours in November of 2004, none of the boxes in our stake are on the replacement schedule until 2010. Stakes that got theirs in early 2004 are being helped first.

It is evident that someone in our FM group put some actual thought into the problem and the process. They were also quite forthright and accommodating in discussions when we requested a different order of replacements in some cases, based on problem/failure information.

In other words, they really are trying to work with us, and they are willing to replace the boxes we have had problems with first, as long as they are made aware of which boxes had the problems.

I think when the "hump" of five years ago gets spread out, the routine replacement process will become more orderly. On the other hand, we may have totally new technology and processes in the next five years. Who knows.

[russellhltn]

I'm sure there are a number of things that could have happened.

If FM forgot to budget for replacements (and the stake failed to remind them), then there's nothing to be cut.

Also, there may have been greater needs elsewhere in the budget.

For those stakes stuck with older machines, I'd suggest upgrading from the original 256MB of memory. That and disabling the Open Office Quickstarter will bring impressive improvements.

Someone else has mentioned the cheapest way is to buy a pair of 256MB sticks and replace the memory in one machine and use the memory removed to upgrade another. Two machines for the price of one! (around $30) Just keep in mind that you can't swap memory between GX270 and GX280

[aebrown]

The situation may be different with different FM groups, but it appears that most of them have been told to spread the "wave" of replacements over 3 years. I haven't seen any sign from on high that the replacement program is completely dead, just modified.

I haven't seen sufficient evidence to support that conclusion. I've seen more reports that replacements are completely out this year, than the 3-year plan. In my stake, for example, this is the case, and I've seen posts representing at least three other stakes that have the same policy. I've heard of a couple of stakes that have the 3-year plan.

If FM forgot to budget for replacements (and the stake failed to remind them), then there's nothing to be cut.

Also, there may have been greater needs elsewhere in the budget.

In my case, I warned the FM group over a year ago, and they put it in their budget, but their 2009 operating budget was cut so severely that there wasn't much they could do. They were given specific direction from the Area FM director that computer replacements would not happen at all in 2009 (except for units with damage exceeding a $150 repair).

I think the most accurate conclusion is that there is no Church-wide policy, but that all FM budgets have been cut and different areas are implementing different policies regarding computer replacement. There may be a 3-year plan in your area, but there definitely is not in mine.