decot@cwruecmp.UUCP (Dave Decot) (02/01/84)
Ray Tackett:
How about the whole stupid inefficiency of the process? Everything
has to be handled seven times. (shelf to cart, cart to belt, belt to
bag, bags to cart, cart to car, car to house, bags to shelves)
There must be a systems analyst out there who can figure a way to
clean up the act.
While I was visiting Oakland, CA, last month I found an interesting machine
waiting in the airport (dangle the modifier either way). It was shaped
something like a video game, with a color touch-screen, a magnetic credit
card reader, and probably a laser disc player inside. The idea is that
you walk up to this gizmo, touch various areas on the screen for instructions,
pass your VISA, MasterCard, or American Express Card through the reader,
walk through a well-designed menu-oriented video presentation about products
that interest you, touch whatever items you want to order, take your receipt,
and walk away (or continue to play with it). The items are then allegedly
mailed to you, and your account is (obviously) billed.
Looked like a great idea, but all you could order were candies, flowers,
Brookstone hardware items, and some other gifts. If only they would let
you order more general items, and connected this kind of thing on your cable
TV, can you imagine the convenience?
Dave Decot "Non-Americans are people, too."
decvax!cwruecmp!decot (Decot.Case@rand-relay)