Typewriters Still Used at NYPD - To the Tune of a New, 3 Year, $1 Million Dollar Contract

In article in CIO, it is reported by the Post, that even after a major technology overhaul at the NYPD, officers "still use typewriters to fill out property and evidence vouchers, which are printed on carbon-paper forms..."

- that's right, CARBON-PAPER FORMS.

And we worry about taking somebody's DeskJet 500 away?


The NYPD has updated and connected all of their 76 precincts by a videoconferencing system that ties into a command center and all offices have real time access to major databases.

The moral of the story is that even though you have the biggest budget and a most deserving technology project, some things just can not be changed.

I wonder what the commission was for what has to be that Last Typewriter Salesperson in The World.

Enjoy the article here.

Toxin Detection As Close As An Inkjet Printer - Introducing Bioactive paper

"...researchers demonstrated the concept on the detection of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors such as paraoxon and aflatoxin B1 on paper using a "lateral flow" sensing approach similar to that used in a home pregnancy test strip.

The process involves formulating an ink like the one found in computer printer cartridges but with special additives to make the ink biocompatible..."

OK - HUH?



I found this article over the weekend and because we here at DeathOfTheCopier care about all things printer and nano-technology related I had to delve in.

The article goes on, "...An ink comprised of biocompatible silica nanoparticles is first deposited on paper, followed by a second ink containing the enzyme, and the resulting bio-ink forms a thin film of enzyme that is entrapped in the silica on paper. When the enzyme is exposed to a toxin, reporter molecules in the ink change colour in a manner that is dependent on the concentration of the toxin in the sample..."

Essentially it's this - certain elements can be placed in ink and utilized in ink jet cartridges. The ink is then applied to paper.

The special components in the ink will react in a certain way when exposed to particular substances/toxins. The ink will change color depending on the amount of toxin.

Just like a pregnancy test.

But this application will be used to assist in detecting toxins, pathogens and viruses, without the need for sophisticated instrumentation.

"...Portable bio-sensing papers are expected to be extremely useful in monitoring environmental and food-based toxins, as well as in remote settings in less industrialized countries where simple bioassays are essential for the first stages of detecting disease..."

Hang on to those DJ500's.

Death of The Copier and MFP Solutions Blog - Greg To Art

7/2009

A little self-promotion - article written by Scott Cullen and published over at BERTL.

WHAT’S THE DEAL? TELLING IT LIKE IT IS

By Scott Cullen

The truth is out there and it’s only a few clicks away on of the imaging industry’s cutting-edge blogs.

Blogging is nothing new, but feet on the street sales reps in the imaging industry who blog are certainly something you don’t run into every day. Meet two of the most prolific and opinionated bloggers in the imaging industry-- Greg Walters and Art Post.

Walters works in the managed print services division of a West Coast IT integrator and HP value-added VAR. His “Death of the Copier” blog (http://thedeathofthecopier.blogspot.com/) is hip, happening, and sometimes irreverent, and a must-read for anyone doing business in the imaging industry.

Post is a self-proclaimed “docusultant” with a Ricoh dealership in Highlands, New Jersey who, like Howard Cosell, tells it like it is. He started his blog, (www.mfpsolutions.blogspot.com) 15 months ago and the hits just keep on coming.

The inspiration for Walter’s blog, at least its eye-popping title, was the introduction of HP’s Edgeline technology, a technology that was going to be the death of traditional copier technology as we know it. Well, we all know what happened there.

“The Death of the Copier was because we had the Edgeline engine and it was going to take over the copier world,” recalls Walters. “That’s how it started and very quickly evolved into content and information about managed print services, the print industry in general, copiers, printers, and all that stuff.”

It’s all that stuff that makes Walter’s blog a fascinating read. He knows what he’s talking about having been in the imaging industry for 20+ years, including a stint at IKON. He’s no shill for any manufacturer, including HP. Honesty is Walter’s best quality and his blog does indeed make for scintillating reading even when he’s sharing stories from other sources.

Walters’ blog gets 14,000 views a month, which is pretty darn good considering the topic. Are there really that many people who want to read about the imaging industry each month? Guess so. He has no idea why so many hits, but isn’t wasting time figuring it out. When he’s not integrating and providing added value to customers in his day job, he’s blogging, and he’s making appearances at industry conferences and events. From the looks of it, Walters’ 15 minutes of fame is just beginning.

"With bloggers like Post and Walters, it’s refreshing to find two industry veterans willing to cut through the hype and tell it like it is."