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The FBI Software Upgrade That Wasn't

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the there's-a-reason-for-that-low-bid dept.

Davemania writes "Washington Post reports that the FBI's attempt to modernize their department has once again failed. The 170 million dollar Virtual case File system, the agency's second attempt to go paperless is reported to be useless. The finger seems to be pointing at the FBI leadership, greedy contractors and bad software management." From the article: "It appeared to work beautifully. Until Azmi, now the FBI's technology chief, asked about the error rate. Software problem reports, or SPRs, numbered in the hundreds, Azmi recalled in an interview. The problems were multiplying as engineers continued to run tests. Scores of basic functions had yet to be analyzed. 'A month before delivery, you don't have SPRs,' Azmi said. 'You're making things pretty. . . . You're changing colors.'"

9 of 381 comments (clear)

  1. Oblig. 'Fight Club' quote: by TripMaster+Monkey · · Score: 3, Funny

    'A month before delivery, you don't have SPRs,' Azmi said. 'You're making things pretty. . . . You're changing colors.'

    Can I get the icon in 'cornflower blue'?

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    ~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey

  2. Obligatory Chief Wiggum Quote by novus+ordo · · Score: 3, Funny

    "I'll just file this case in my Virtual Filing Cabinet"

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    "You're everywhere. You're omnivorous."
  3. FBI Too Busy by faqmaster · · Score: 3, Funny

    What do you expect? They don't have time or resources for testing because all the agents are too busy listening in on my calls to my grandmother.

    --
    Are you...Are you some kind of genius?
    No, ma'am, I'm just a regular Slashdot reader.
  4. ObSimpsons by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 4, Funny
    The finger seems to be pointing at the FBI leadership, greedy contractor and bad software management.
    The owner of said finger, one N. Muntz, was quoted as saying "Ha-ha!"
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    Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
  5. Perfect Solution for the FBI paperless office by flajann · · Score: 4, Funny
    I have the perfect solution for the FBI's IT woes.

    It's called WOM, or Write-Only Memory system. This system has near-infinite storage capacity, and can be implemented across the entire enterprise.

    Document retrival in the WOM? Not a problem! Just create imaginary documents! Isin't that the way it's done, anyway?

    Oh, and if you need a record expunged, not a problem! In fact, it requires almost no effort at all!

    Write-Only Memory Virtual Filing System. It was good enough for Nasa, it ought to be good enough for the FBI.

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    Ruby Neural Evolution of Augmenting Topologies
  6. Re:Government Inefficiancy by lancejjj · · Score: 5, Funny

    Software problem reports, or SPRs, numbered in the hundreds,

    If this software system runs under Windows, they started with a Problem Report baseline in the thousands. If they got it down into the hundreds, Kudos!

  7. Security Advisors by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 3, Funny

    "You're making things pretty. . . . You're changing colors."

    That's the FBI policy: they're part of Homeland Security, so their job is mainly to tells what color today is. Otherwise terrorists might have trouble knowing which days we're not checking everyone or paying closest attention.

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    make install -not war

  8. I love you-and your money too. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    "I love helping you /.ers out."

    Can I borrow $50 from you?

  9. Re:Paranoia! by computational+super · · Score: 3, Funny
    Personally, I'd prefer the FBI not go paperless.

    Everybody who has to use the bathroom at FBI headquarters agrees.

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    Proud neuron in the Slashdot hivemind since 2002.