US Govt. Agencies Computers Stuck Firmly In The 20th Century

[dales]

[Jarlaxle]

*

[MajGenl.Meade]

CNN) Want to launch a nuclear missile? You'll need a floppy disk.

That's according to a new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), which found that the Pentagon was still using 1970s-era computing systems that require "eight-inch floppy disks."

Such disks were already becoming obsolete by the end of that decade, being edged out by smaller, non-floppy 3.5 to 5.25-inch disks, before being almost completely replaced by the CD in the late 90s.

Except in Washington that is. The GAO report says that U.S. government departments spend upwards of $60 billion a year on operating and maintaining out-of-date technologies.

That's three times the investment on modern IT systems.

[datsunaholic]

There are multiple reasons why so many aged systems are still being used.

1) Congress hasn't appropriated money for replacement systems. Because the systems are "mission critical" and operational, maintenance overruns are budgeted via emergency means. But replacement has to be budgeted first, then implemented. Because the systems work for their intended purpose there's no pressing need to replace them.

2) The systems have no sunset measures. The systems weren't designed to be replaced. There's no simple modern means to replace what's there without taking the system offline, so the old system just keeps getting used. The complexity of moving to a modern system is akin to replacing the avionics and engines on a jet airliner... in flight. The agencies insist that the systems remain up 24/7, even when being upgraded.

3) Buying a new system is only part of the cost. And face it, a system that lasted 25, 35, 40 years? No one will build a system today with that kind of lifespan. People that have run the old systems would have to be retrained, which is not figured into the hardware replacement cost. And the new systems themselves would have to be replaced every 5 or so years, as modern hardware doesn't last.

[Guinevere]

What DaB said. Blame Congress, not the agencies. In fact, they should be commended for doing so much with such aged technology.

[Long Run]

In fact, they should be commended for doing so much with such aged technology.

Words never heard at the AARP women's support group.

[Guinevere]

I have no complaints about my aged Swede. But then I'm not old yet.