Not the fax, ma'am : DoD out of cash to buy new machine

[n2doc]

by Shawn Musgrave

Starting two weeks ago, requests faxed to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) started coming back as undeliverable. After several subsequent attempts and troubleshooting on our end, MuckRock reached out to the OSD. Sure enough, their fax machine is down... possibly until November.

Now, in 2013, you wouldn't think this would be an issue. But when an agency accepts FOIA requests by a) fax, b) mail or c) a clunky online request portal that doesn't play nice with other systems, suddenly that fax machine becomes a technical linchpin.

It bears repeating: The office that oversees the most powerful military in history (not to mention the best-funded) is unable to project when its single fax machine will once again be operational.

The OSD's FOIA section chief confirmed the grim news yesterday, responding that his office "will likely need to procure (purchase) a new fax machine. However, that purchase will not occur until the start of the new fiscal year (at the earliest)."

more

https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2013/sep/12/not-fax-maam-dod-out-cash-buy-new-machine/

[hunter]

1. I'm sure they've got a few fax-capable modems in a closet somewhere.

And there are plenty of fax machines in the thrift-stores if they're still using paper.

Bah. When I was a teacher the school's xerox machine would become off-limits to teachers two months into the school year. After that we'd have to buy our own supplies for the sturdy old ditto machines, or pay for copies ourselves at Kinko's.

Anyways, I'm sure this is a stunt to get money for some corrupt contractor who will charge a fortune to upgrade their current system to something overly complex with a hefty service contract using H1-B workers.

[L0oniX]

2. If only fax machines had missile lauchers. n/t

[jsr]

3. The generals still have plenty of petty cash for hookers

[Safetykitten]

4. And teachers buy supplies for their students. Nobody there can go pick up a fax machine at OfficeMax

but I am sure it is a "special" fax machine that has "special" features that are only ordered through a defense contractor.

I bet that fax machine is 100 grand. No lie.

[RC]

5. Why don't they contact the GSA?

They have or can get most anything needed, including FAX machines just sitting on the shelf.

[BlueToTheBone]

6. Maybe someone should send them a machine.

That is so stupid sounding that I can't even believe they would use that excuse.

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. US Robotics

$43.44 & FREE Shipping
http://www.amazon.com/USRobotics-USR5637-FaxModem-Windows-Linux/dp/B0013FDLM0



Set up your computer to send and receive faxes
Applies to Windows 7
Windows Fax and Scan can practically turn your computer into a fax machine—a potentially big money and time saver. Before you can start faxing, your computer needs to be properly equipped.

What you need

If you're planning to send and receive faxes at home, you first need to outfit your PC with a fax modem.

A fax modem is a relatively inexpensive piece of add-on hardware that allows your computer to communicate with a fax machine over a standard phone line. The devices are sold at major computer stores and come in two varieties: internal and external.


http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/set-up-your-computer-to-send-and-receive-faxes







I posted the same story a few days ago and was slammed by the usual suspects.

Don't forget the CIA just closed their FOIA office too..... well isn't that special.

[n2doc]

10. It's hard to tell if people understand the real message here, or not

The fax machine, or lack of it, is simply a stalling tactic. The DOD, if they wanted to, could surely get another fax machine. But they don't want to. It isn't rocket science to understand why this is.

[bhikkhu]

8. Time for a bake sale?

[SheilaT]

9. Aren't a lot of ordinary printers fax capable?

Mine isn't, but it allows me to scan a document, save it, and then I email it to whoever needs it. Close enough to a fax that I no longer have to go over to Kinko's when I need to send a fax somewhere.