Newer, but fewer computers

We just received a message from FamilySearch FHC Support (via our FM) that two of the four FHCs in our stake will be receiving new computers soon. However, the number of new computers is half the number currently installed, and the message instructs us to wipe and return ALL existing computers, even if their performance is just fine.

I wish I had known about this downsizing before we went through all the effort to run Ethernet cables to all FHC computers so they could be connected to port 2 on the 881W firewalls. Our FM just expended a bunch of time and money doing that for us. Now those extra wired connections will no longer be needed.

I think that computer usage is measured both by Tivoli and by the monthly report the FHC directors are supposed to submit. FamilySearch is probably paying for Windows 7 Pro licenses, so they want to save money by cutting down on computers that are not regularly used.

Is this downsizing a trend among most USA-based FHCs?

drepouille wrote:FamilySearch is probably paying for Windows 7 Pro licenses, so they want to save money by cutting down on computers that are not regularly used.

I wonder how that's structured. If the computer was new, the license would come with it and I don't think there would be any on-going expense.

russellhltn wrote:I wonder how that's structured.

Let's see. Two new computers to FHC. Four working computers returned. Two additional FHCs get two computers each.

We'll have to see how that goes in my stake. We have 8 computers for the patrons (9 if you count the microfilm scanner). Plus a server and office computer.

A significant reduction will be an issue.

The new FHC computers we received are Dell OptiPlex 9030 All-in-One Desktop. I believe they have a 23-inch screen, which can be raised/lowered, tilted, and even rotated 90 degrees. I haven't picked them up from the FM yet, but I believe they have an i5 processor and either 4 or 8 GB memory. Not sure if these have the optional touch screen or not.

I also don't know if they have already received the standard FHC image. I sure hope so, because I am afraid the Windows 7 Pro image I received last year may not have the correct drivers for the OptiPlex 9030.

FYI - There is bootable USB V4 FHC image (10.6/7Gb), downloadable using the FHC Application Finder app.
I can't remember if the 9030 is one of the supported PC's. Further info, download the file whilst logged in as an Administrator.

One final caveat, found out after wasting a great deal of time, if you use a USB 3.0 memory stick in one of the USB 3.0 ports the installation fails (some sort of timing issue) almost immediately. Using a USB 2.0 port, the image installs fine!

I hope this info is of some use!

I just booted one up. It has an Intel i5-45905 CPU @ 3.0 GHz, and 4 GB memory. The hard drive appears to be a 128 GB SSD, with a 10 GB Restore partition, and a 110 GB C partition. It appears in Device Manager as "SK hynix SC210 2.55 SCSI Disk Device". The stand is the basic model, so you can't rotate the screen or raise/lower the screen, but you can tilt it. It appears to have a webcam, microphone, and speakers, but I do not believe it has a wireless adapter.

The computer has a FHC image on it, and includes a "First-Run Document" that includes the default passwords. Important note: "must be setup at the Family History Center for Windows Activation".

The Dell 9030 is listed as one the PC's on the V4 image.

What is even better, that image is loaded into a recovery partition, and all you have to do to restore the image is to press F11 during a boot.

Can we just refuse the 2 new computers so we can keep what we have?

We need and use the 3 we have (asked for 4). We increase our hours, but we provide FHC service over a 50-75 mile radius and have many patrons who have no computer or internet at home, or are home bound (so we have staff working on a FHC computer with their data). We also help patrons during SS time one-on-one teaching, so I will probably have to bring in my own computer if we lose one, but of course, it will not have the Premium websites.

This is an immediate dilemma as these 2 new computers are coming next week and to then have to downsize number of computers, when we are trying to increase teaching opportunities in our very fast-growing ward--we have had about 2 new families moving in every week and baptisms about every other week.

Are we phasing out FHC's--we have been assured that is not going to happen, but it seems to be as one other issue is that our FHC Director/Asst Director are not supposed to be in the Stake Leadership Directory anymore per the MLS dept.

The downsizing is likely the result of the numbers on the monthly report submitted by the FHC director. They may also be affected by data collected by Tivoli on each computer. I believe the FHC director can call FHC Support and negotiate an increase in the number of computers. The FHC director may need to submit an order form signed by the stake president to request more computers.

Since all members have free access to Family Tree and Ancestry at home, we see very few members in our FHCs.
https://www.lds.org/church/news/the-hom ... ory-center

Our monthly report has shown increases in patron numbers as well as hours. I will contact FHC support as perhaps, since these are older computers, one is not transmitting usage data properly. We tried an order form last year, which was denied--but that was for 4 computers. Unimaginable that I would need to do that just to keep the number we already have!

We have a varied patronage--there are many more Premium Sites than the partner sites available free to members (also not ALL of the free sites are available to LDS members--only portions of their entire collection). We cover a wide geographic area and many patrons do not have their own computers OR internet or neither--many elderly, disabled, etc.

The Premium websites are a significant part of the "Find" of Find, Take n Teach.

Also, teaching in the FHC during SS time--best results are from individual one-on-one help--which would be less with fewer computers.

drepouille wrote:We just received a message from FamilySearch FHC Support (via our FM) that two of the four FHCs in our stake will be receiving new computers soon. However, the number of new computers is half the number currently installed, and the message instructs us to wipe and return ALL existing computers, even if their performance is just fine.

I haven't seen the instructions myself, but it looks like we're on the same track. They're supplying about half of what we have now.

Hello

I am the high councilor for family history in our stake. We had the same issue a while ago when they said that our centre was only supposed to have two computers when we already had four. I was able to get the stake president to see that as we were trying to get the centre usage to grow we needed the resources. It is no good digging a small trench if your are praying for a flood. He saw my point and the next day got onto FM to let them know the situation. We took delivery of the two new computers and only sent two back and nothing has been said about it since. It is amazing what can be done when the stake president is on board.

Since then the centre opening hours have doubled and a lot of the sessions see all of the computers in use. To add my own opinion to this I don't see the point of cutting down the number of computers in centres when there is a push to have everything on-line.

Regards
Michael Wroe

michaelwroe wrote:He saw my point and the next day got onto FM to let them know the situation. We took delivery of the two new computers and only sent two back and nothing has been said about it since.

FM is not the ones making the decision. It's the Family History Department. Assuming all 4 computers are running the BES client, you may be getting a nastygram from the FH dept when they check their inventory.

Exactly right, Russell. The FHC is under the control and direction of the FHD. They are paying for the software licenses that keep the FHCs running, and they have the right to cut costs by cutting computers. If the stake president wants to increase the number of computers, he must submit a hardware and software request form to the FHD.

drepouille wrote:If the stake president wants to increase the number of computers, he must submit a hardware and software request form to the FHD.

And open the stake checkbook. Details on the process can be found in the updated Family History Center Operations Guide.

What isn't stated is what happens to the stake purchased computers when the others are replaced on the 5 year cycle (if the usage doesn't pick up enough to justify the additional computers). I wouldn't rule out the possibility that the stake will have to buy new ones every replacement cycle.

The updated Family History Center Operations Guide states on page 23: "The stake president may authorize older computers and printers to be placed in the homes of local stake members." I don't know if the replaced computers are considered "older", but if so, this might be helpful for shut-ins. Though the members would still be responsible for obtaining an operating system (the computers are wiped before placement) and Internet access, so that needs to be considered. A free Linux systemwould allow access to FamilySearch (and at some future time Indexing), but only if there is an Internet connection.

The recipient is responsible for obtaining an operating system and other software.

I think there's a few reasons for this. First, the OS the computer may be running is likely licensed to the church and NOT to the computer. I believe the computers in my center that are getting replaced have "Vista" stickers on them but were running Win7. Second, it's the only way to make sure the machine is completely wiped. Third, as a practical matter, whoever loads it, supports it. Something to keep in mind if you decide to load it for someone.

For the past several years, our FM's directions to our STS (me) have been very clear. All hard drives must be wiped clean. No computers or monitors may be given to members or anyone else. The CRTs were to be disposed of as hazardous waste in accordance with EPA regulations.

In 2010, I was able to scavenge memory, hard drives, and DVD drives from computers that were to be recycled. In 2015, I was highly discouraged from even doing that.

drepouille wrote:For the past several years, our FM's directions to our STS (me) have been very clear.

Does FM trump the Operations Guide? Note that this guide only came out in the last month or so. Note that FM's stand may be correct with regard to clerk machines. But with respect to the FHC machines, I'd think "Their (FHD's) machines, their rules."

drepouille wrote:For the past several years, our FM's directions to our STS (me) have been very clear. All hard drives must be wiped clean.

In the past, these were our FM Group instructions as well. I know we are talking about FHC computers here in this topic, but earlier this year we turned in a dozen Clerk Admin computers with instruction from FM that they did not need to be wiped clean. FM said "the Church contractor" would do it as part of their disposal contract.

My FM also said that wiping drives is part of their disposal process, but that I (the STS) should do it too. Just to be sure, I guess. I also lamented that it was such a shame that useful (even though old) hardware was just being destroyed rather than being reused. He didn't know all the reasons, but thought it was part of the Church's contract with Dell. I think it's common for tech hardware makers to include destruction clauses in their contracts to avoid having new owners trying to get support for old equipment, as well as increasing the market for new equipment. I guess it makes sense economically, though I don't like it personally.

So I was surprised to see the statement in the new FHC Operations Guide that FHC computers could be given to members. So either the FHD has a different contract, or our speculation was wrong. (Both equally likely.)

rsidwell wrote:I also lamented that it was such a shame that useful (even though old) hardware was just being destroyed rather than being reused. He didn't know all the reasons, but thought it was part of the Church's contract with Dell.

I don't know the reasons either but it may be to make sure that the hardware is properly disposed of (and recycled where possible). Since computer components often contain toxic materials not disposing of the equipment properly could expose the church to liability for toxic waste.

But if that's the case, it makes less sense that FHC computer could be given to members.

russellhltn wrote:

drepouille wrote:For the past several years, our FM's directions to our STS (me) have been very clear.

Does FM trump the Operations Guide? Note that this guide only came out in the last month or so. Note that FM's stand may be correct with regard to clerk machines. But with respect to the FHC machines, I'd think "Their (FHD's) machines, their rules."

The FM was following the instructions from the FHD that came with the delivery of new computers for the FHC. Since many of the old computers being replaced had dual-core processors, I believe the FHD may have wanted to "cascade" our FHC computers elsewhere. So I was told I could not harvest parts from their carcasses -- they had to be able to POST and boot, although I did wipe the hard drives.

drepouille wrote:I believe the FHD may have wanted to "cascade" our FHC computers elsewhere. So I was told I could not harvest parts from their carcasses -- they had to be able to POST and boot, although I did wipe the hard drives.

Perhaps, but that would be the first report that FHD is still cascading. Maybe it was being cascaded into another application. I've heard nothing like that. I wonder if your FM group is disposing of them by donating to charity?

I say that because I've harvested parts with zero blowback. From the arrangements that my local FM made, I think the units were picked up for disposal, not re-use.