Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.edu!dsinc!widener!ukma!memstvx1!utkcs2!emory!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!rice!uw-beaver!milton!sumax!polari!thebes!happym!josh From: josh@happym.WA.COM (Joshua_Putnam) Newsgroups: comp.society.futures Subject: Re: the interface for the rest of us? Message-ID: <3380@happym.WA.COM> Date: 9 May 91 19:32:55 GMT References: <9105072254.AA03163@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> Organization: Happy Man Corp., Vashon Island, WA Lines: 45 In <9105072254.AA03163@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> e-reuter@UIUC.EDU (Erik Reuter) writes: >Has anyone gotten a UPS package lately? >They seem to be using some new "clipboard" computer. It is mostly a >keyboard, but it has a signature pad that you sign, and the signature shows >up on the little LCD screen above. Yes, they are converting to digitized signatures to save time and space at the main office, or so I'm told. No need to keep all the paper records. >The signature doesn't look very >good on the low-res screen. I wonder if it digitizes the signature in more >detail than shows up on the screen, presumably for uploading to the big >computer at the end of the day. It is a little worrisome to have your >signature stored in a computer's memory. I hope they have good security. I hope the quality is no better than appears on the screen. That would provide better security than most systems I can think of -- anyone who accepts that grainy a signature would probably accept Don L. Duck's signature, too. The system does not require a complete signature, however, just a first initial and last name will do. I certainly hope nobody would accept an obviously digitized incomplete signature outside of very narrow circumstances, like verifying that a package was received. >I asked the UPS man a few questions, and apparently this was his first day >with the device. Ironically, he was running late, so I didn't get much time >to question him about it. Anyone else have any experiences with it? Our UPS driver was frequently late when they started using the computer clipboard. It was not 100% reliable, so he had to switch back to pen & paper frequently. Also, the driver apparently has to "clarify" the signature -- enter the name on the keyboard. They were supposed to do this back in the days of paper, too, but I believe the computer is more demanding. (Not all paper signatures required clarification -- some people actually have legible handwriting.) I haven't asked what the drivers are supposed to do when they leave a package without getting a signature. I suppose there must be a key for that. -- Josh_Putnam@happym.wa.com Happy Man Corp. 206/463-9399 x102 4410 SW Pt. Robinson Rd., Vashon Island, WA 98070-7399 fax x108 We publish SOLID VALUE for the intelligent investor. (NextMail Info. free (sample $20): E-mail patty@happym.wa.com. okay too)