I think Tim has hit the nail on the head - if a significant number of staff
don't have access to the intranet, paper consumption remains much the same,
or even increases in the confusion. One way to combat this problem might be
to introduce the intranet to one or two groups of users with similar
information needs (say departments or workgroups) at a time. That way the
amount of paper being sent through the internal mail may be reduced
gradually, but nobody runs the risk of being 'information poor'.
All in all introducing an intranet to an organisation is not a quick fix
for threatened forests, but I suppose it may help in the long run.
On the other hand has anyone counted the environmental cost of every member
of staff having access to a PC, which has to be replaced every 3 years -
maybe pencils and paper are better for the earth after all!
Sue Gordon
MCG Chair
----------
From: Pettigrew Tim <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Museum Intranets
Date: 09 January 2001 16:01
Hi Ian
Tyne and wear Museums are part of the Newcastle City Intranet and as nearly
everyone, including Front of House staff have computer access and training
thereon, this has definitely helped to reduce paper. Notices and
announcements,
are either sent via the Intranet e-mail, or else more general noticess are
posted on the Intranet Web Site. We are also using the Intranet to test
out an
experimental version of the Modes Web Server. So all in all it is
definitely
working well.
Tim
Ian Morrison (09/01/01 15:41):
>For once I have a query of my own, rather than a rap on the knuckles, to
>post.
>
>Recently I have taken on some responsibility for raising
>awareness of environmental issues within the National Museums of
>Scotland. One important issue is the amount of paper consumed by the
>institution, particularly for the purpose of internal communication
>(staff notices, minutes of various groups, etc.). We do not have an
>intranet as yet, and I was wondering if any MCG members who do have
>access to an intranet have noticed any change in the quantity of paper
>they use as a direct result. In fact, what are the environmental pros
>and cons, if any?
>
>Any help would be much appreciated. So far my impression is that the
>rapid expansion of IT in the last two decades has contributed massively
>to environmental destruction worldwide, but I would pleased to hear of
>any evidence to the contrary.
>
>---
>Ian
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------
>Ian O. Morrison, Scottish Museums Documentation Officer
>http://homestead.deja.com/user.ian_o_morrison/index.html
>Hostes alienigeni me abduxerunt
Tim Pettigrew
Registrar
Tyne & Wear Museums
Discovery Museum
Blandford Square
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4JA
United Kingdom
Telephone +44(0)191-232-6789
Fax +44(0)191-230-2614
E-Mail [log in to unmask]
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