Right now our e-mail interface is through either Microsoft's Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. We're going to introduce Exchange into the interface and move Microsoft Outlook to the desktop. People will be able to download their schedules to a PalmPilot. Once the e-mail infrastructure is in place, we'll be able to implement forms management and digital signatures. We're about six years behind the times technologically.
Government moves very slowly, technology and computers move very fast.
As far as 2000 goes, we're taking a three-pronged approach. First, we're upgrading our financial and payroll systems. Second, we're working with IT specialists in each city agency to make sure their applications are compliant. Third, we're working with grassroots organizations to educate the public about the year 2000. The city wired 20 downtown blocks for a Fiber Distributed Data Interface network, using fiber-optic cable that transmits data at 100 Mbps.