Just the Facts, Ma'am: A Compendium of Liberal Fiction Message Board

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Just the Facts, Ma'am: A Compendium of Liberal Fiction

Public Reply Prvt Reply Mark as Last Read File

Previous 10 Next 10 Previous Next

To: Lazarus_Long who wrote (23660)	12/26/2004 4:54:13 PM
From: Orcastraiter	Read Replies (1) of 90947

So today's punch cards are still counted by whirring relays and vacuum tubes? I don't think so. When I used punch cards we put them through a compiler, which converted the instructions on the cards to a "program"...ie software, like Fortran or Basic. Also the cards were used to store data to be processed through compiled programs. Today there is a bunch of software for PC's that can read cards and store that data. Today's elections should be done by modern computer programs. I think the touch screen method is fine. But it should also include the printing out of a hard copy ballot which can be reviewed and placed in the ballot box. That gives us two records, an electronic one, and a paper one. The paper ones would be capable of being optically scanned to provide verification of the electronic record. And and most importantly the paper ballots can be counted by hand in very close elections. Further I would require by law that every vote be counted by at least two competing company's equipment. If they don't match exactly, then a hand count would be required. This will help to eliminate the kind of crap we have with Diebold...and their executive saying they will deliver Ohio. When results are not reproducible and verifiable then we need to think about severe penalties, fines and jail time for those involved with any fraud or incompetence. Another option is the mark sense ballot, such as most absentee ballots are. These again to be counted by at least two manufacturer's equipment. Re-counts will always be required when margins are smaller than a reasonable threshold. And hand counts should be done when ever they are requested by any party, so long as they pay for them. I like the Washington rule that says the government will repay the cost if the result is overturned by the hand count. Bottom line is verifiable results. Hard Copy required. Orca

Report TOU Violation

Share This Post

Public Reply Prvt Reply Mark as Last Read File

Previous 10 Next 10 Previous Next