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Prepared by the North Dakota Legislative Council
staff for the Legislative Management Committee |
LEGISLATORS' USE OF E-MAIL - SURVEY RESULTS
In response to a concern expressed by some legislators over use of e-mail to transmit messages, interim committee meeting notices, and interim committee meeting minutes, a survey was sent to the 122 legislators who have legislative notebook computers (27 senators and 63 representatives responded). The survey asked about use of e-mail. This memorandum presents the questions asked, compiles the results, and lists any comments by the legislators. The numbers do not correspond because some legislators did not check either major question but did check the subquestions to the second major question, or checked more than one subquestion.
SURVEY
Please check as many of the following items as apply to you:
- The present system of providing notices and minutes of interim committee
meetings on the Internet and notifying me by e-mail is working well.
- Senators: 18
- Representatives: 35
- The current system of placing notices and minutes of interim committee
meetings on the Internet is not working for me because:
- Senators: 5
- Representatives: 15
- I do not check my e-mail frequently enough to get the notices on a timely
basis.
- Senators: 4
- Representatives: 18
- I never (or hardly ever) check my e-mail.
- Senators: 1
- Representatives: 8
- I do not know how to use e-mail.
- Senators: 2
- Representatives: 6
- Other:
- Senators: 2
- Representatives: 6
COMMENTS FROM SENATORS
The less paper I get in the mail the better!
I check my e-mail frequently, but have not received notice of all meetings. If you can make sure the e-mail gets to me, that's fine.
It does take a long time to download the minutes. I like to get a hard copy at home.
However, slow in retrieval.
It would work well if I used it. I prefer to read minutes in hard copy so I can make notes on the minutes themselves and then take it to the meetings. There is no way to make notes on the side bar in the computer.
I think we need to have 1 notice by mail.
My computer every once in a while, maybe every other week will not connect with my e-mail for a week or ten days. This is not the only area it does not work!!
I use my computer at BSC (employment) but not my legislative laptop. Am afraid that six hours of training I did last fall has elapsed due to nonuse. Someday, I will have to begin at square one. The training was good, but my none-use has caused me to lose it.
I have not been using my computer, because I have strictly been using my office computer. I now will have a second line in my home for my legislative computer, so I will not have to tie up my home phone line with the computer after early to mid-June.
I check the Legislative Council web site daily for dates and agendas. I wish agendas (even if they're just preliminary) would be published sooner. I find this e-mail system very cumbersome. I'm used to pressing "R" and typing a response - then I hit Control-X and it gets sent. I still don't understand the address book. Perhaps this summer I'll have time to figure it out.
COMMENTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES
Ok as is - it is easy for me in Bismarck to check on meetings.
The present system . . . by e-mail is working ok.
The present system . . . by e-mail is working well except when my computer was being repaired.
If I remember to check, it works great!
Check weekly.
I do not check my e-mail frequently enough to get the notices on a timely basis but that's my fault and I need to get in the habit of checking. My e-mail at work is just easier (only one step).
I check my e-mail ? 1-2 weeks. It is cumbersome to wait for the downloading.
I rarely use e-mail due to the slowness in getting a telephone connection.
Please keep sending the written notices and written minutes.
I like to read minutes in print! I like to mark them up to see if there are business items still pending for the next meeting.
Concerns - I prefer a hard copy of the minutes but can print them out. Some legislators can't. Also when your machine is in for service, there should be a way to notify Legislative Council and also a way to notify when you are back "on-line."
Maybe put minutes on Internet, but still mail notices the old way.
I'd like a letter - ok minutes. The last notice I got on Judiciary said a one-day meeting - found out it's for two days. I would like letters on meetings as well as e-mail. I do check it twice a week; but I'm not as good on it as I would like. I don't send yet. Will take more classes.
E-mail doesn't work - go back to paper.
I have a hard time making connections with server - a postcard to remind to check e-mail, or poor telephone service.
I just got my PC.
My fault, simply not up to speed yet. If it came on my own personal computer, e-mail would be ok.
I have my own PC and very seldom use the state's PC.
I have my computer at work - cannot tie up work lines - I would appreciate receiving written notices earlier.
However, I've had considerable difficulty with my computer and it's been in the Legislative Council office for repairs. Subj. to a computer that works reliably, the system works for me.
I need to spend some time in getting help on using the computer. Thanks.
When Pat Burns brought my new computer to my office in Ashley, he connected it to the phone and we called the 800 number ok. Since that time I have only tried to connect to the 800 number once, and that attempt was not successful. If I can figure out how to get connected to the 800 number, I think I can figure out the e-mail with a little practice. For now it would be good if I could get meeting notices by mail. I do get the reminder notices by mail, but that is only a few days before the meetings. I found out about the May 19-20 meeting of the Judiciary Committee from our Clerk of Court.
I don't trust my skills on the computer; however, I am currently taking a five-hour course at Mayville State University to reinforce the earlier training. I expect to be well up to speed by this summer.
I realize, however, that the first box should be the one that all of us with computers should check. It is our problem - not yours. For me, it is simply a question of having/taking time to use my computer.
It would help to have e-mail or a POP3 server so I could check the state e-mail when I check my other e-mail account.
I learned to use e-mail on May 11, 1998. I hope it will be useful.
Due to the fact I'm recovering from back surgery, I probably spend or have more time, to spend on the computer than others have. I've learned through using it - would be kinda hard going cold turkey in making use of the machine. The classes Maryann put on were very informative and the staff has been very supportive in helping when a question arises.
I will be turning in my PC in October or November since I am not running for reelection.
I'm trying to run a business.
