By: Joe Sprite

Several local PC users are complaining that some officials in the municipality refused to allow them to purchase a USB for their barangay and some municipal computers. The reason is that the USBs are used only for larger and more electronic data processing units, therefore using them in PCs are not appropriate. The concept is sadly wrong, almost based on computer ignorance. When asked who the person is so he might be enlightened, complainers refuse to identify him. Inasmuch as might alter ego had been discussing computerization, we might just deal with it here hoping it will clear up the local situation.

The USB is a Universal System Bus. It functions as an extended memory unit, which could be attached to any microcomputer with USB facilities. It could serve as a removable data storage unit like the floppy disks. The PC is a Personal Computer evolved from bigger computers like the mainframes and minis. The development of PCs runs this way. Computers were once big and it costs millions. They were used by large conglomerates for large volume data processing. They could accept large volume of data, assemble them into records and process them into information.

Advanced technology made smaller computer units. They were more powerful, smaller and cheaper. The same technology made the mainframes most powerful of the computers and were used extensively for research. The minis were used for business and other professions. A new science called systems engineering made the computer a unit, enabled the computers to be used as not only a recording system but also a data processing system and a management information system. Further advance in technology such as solid-state electronics, printed circuitry and micro miniaturization enabled manufacturers to produce PCs o Personal Computers for mathematical research as well as home recording. Systems engineering allowed the PC to function as a mini though limited in nature so it could be used for small time enterprises as well as research.

Small LGUs not able to afford minis utilized PCs and by clustering them allowed the units to approximate minicomputer functions though limited. Towns and barangays acquired PCs. To the uninitiated, those computers were used as glorified typewriters and calculators, but to those who know how, the PCs were made into recording, data processing and monitoring then management information systems. With the ever-increasing demands of the DILG and other government agencies for barangay operations as well as conflicting constituent demands on meager barangay resources a computer such as a PC is sorely needed.

Whether as a glorified typewriter, calculator or data processing system, computer files need backups. First because of computer security, the second because of standard accounting practices and the third is interface. Backups or duplicates are needed primarily for recovery of data, records and master or transaction files when corrupted or destroyed. Barangay officials without political will allow constituents to play games, music or practice on barangay computers. Contaminated diskettes from outside sources introduce computer virus. Those as well as ignorant uses of computers destroy valuable computer files. Information residing on hard disks is destroyed.

Accounting practice sometimes calls for maintenance of grandfather, father and son file generations. There are files, which must exist for a keep period until it could be legally destroyed. Barangay accounting is becoming complicated. It is no longer a one shot process. Budget accounting and budget performance monitoring will soon be a standard process in barangays and not only in municipal files. Minutes of sessions, barangay justice system reports and other vital barangay information will have to be available to those who need them. Barangay secretaries and treasurers will have to furnish required information and these will not be possible without a well kept computer even if only a PC.