Re:After Multiple Denials, CIA Admits to Snooping on Noam Ch...
by Tloewald on Tuesday August 13, 2013 @03:18PM
(#6207660)
My experience of bureaucracies dates back to the mid 80s when nothing much was (in Australia) computerized. I'm not talking about a "hypertext-like system of filing" but a physical room full of hanging folders with unique numbers and index cards. (You've seen images of the -- newly added! -- file compactuses* at the Department of Veterans' Affairs -- like that.)
* Not a typo: compactus is a specific piece of furniture.
If a letter primarily concerning X gets sent, a copy of it is retained in the file on X, and the receiver puts the item in another file on X. If necessary, multiple copies are retained and placed in multiple files (e.g. the letter also concerns Y so photocopy it and insert it in files on Y).
Each page in a file is numbered (this is called a "folio number") and the file's folder is amended to show the new inserts and increased folio count. It's hard in such a system to lose a page and very hard to erase evidence of its prior existence.
Typically, multiple index cards (e.g. "Chomsky, Noam -- file 12345") will get created for each file, and inventory will be taken of all files, folios, and index cards on a regular basis. Destroying a file or folio creates visible gaps and broken references, so it's actually a pretty robust system. Yes indeed, this is how this crap worked before computers.
* Not a typo: compactus is a specific piece of furniture.
If a letter primarily concerning X gets sent, a copy of it is retained in the file on X, and the receiver puts the item in another file on X. If necessary, multiple copies are retained and placed in multiple files (e.g. the letter also concerns Y so photocopy it and insert it in files on Y).
Each page in a file is numbered (this is called a "folio number") and the file's folder is amended to show the new inserts and increased folio count. It's hard in such a system to lose a page and very hard to erase evidence of its prior existence.
Typically, multiple index cards (e.g. "Chomsky, Noam -- file 12345") will get created for each file, and inventory will be taken of all files, folios, and index cards on a regular basis. Destroying a file or folio creates visible gaps and broken references, so it's actually a pretty robust system. Yes indeed, this is how this crap worked before computers.