[Kali Yuga]

I can't believe I'm actually defending tablets.

Originally Posted by Logseman

Kali Yuga, let's start from the beginning: European Parliament Members do not need (understanding it as "requisite of their jobs") a device which has been conceived as a media consumption tablet....

I concur that "need" is a strong word.

However, I can see how it can be a useful device that extends beyond a mere toy for MEP's -- especially for those who are not technically savvy. For example, as you may have noticed some governments tend to knock out absolutely massive documents, and would need to send out a large number of copies. Sending out PDF's to individuals who have a large color PDF reader is clearly beneficial.

Or again, as I cited, they could fairly easily develop a proprietary app to securely distribute sensitive documents to the MEP's.

Originally Posted by Logesman

In case they want to do some work (which I doubt), they'll need the ability to actually add some text input, a task for which they have smartphones and recently-acquired HP laptops, both by the taxpayer.

I concur that the iPad in its current iteration is not truly a laptop replacement -- though not so much due to the form factor, as it's fairly easy to pair a bluetooth keyboard to the iPad. (The real issue is horrible file management, which might get fixed in the fall, but who knows). However, obviously I don't see it as impossible to do work on an iPad, especially if "work" means reading PDF's, doing web-based research, and email. There are already quite a few productivity apps, and it's much easier to take notes etc on the iPad than an iPhone.

Originally Posted by Logesman

The open source thing was not meant as an attack to the iPad

Yes, it was. Otherwise you wouldn't have mentioned it. Just be a man and admit it already.

Originally Posted by Logesman

but as an attack towards an organisation which should strive to spare some costs to its stakeholders through the usage of OSS and which instead keeps putting more and more cash in the hands of Big Business.

I see little evidence that going OSS would save money here -- especially if it happens to result in increased maintenance and/or development costs.

Nor do I necessarily see "Big Business" as an automatic designation of Pure Evil or high cost. Economies of scale tend to reduce prices, not increase them. Small size does not guarantee moral integrity or righteousness, and some things -- including producing 1,000 or so devices that are low-maintenance, use a common and relatively easy programming interface -- can't be done in any sort of reliable and affordable fashion if your vendor is "Adelbrecht's Mom & Pop Computer Shop."

Or to put it another way: I'm not seeing a lot of evidence that Android-based smartphones are significantly cheaper than ones with proprietary OS's.

Plus the startup costs for, let's say, 1000 iPads (750 for MEP's, the rest for IT, repairs and misc other staffers) is only £700,000 -- i.e. probably only a small part of the £4.3 million project.

You're welcome to be bitter by default about government officials and corporations, but I'm not finding this to be a particularly egregious problem, nor your objections especially persuasive.