Sign Here Please 

So I've been doing some Christmas shopping this weekend. I went to a couple of different places that make you use an electronic pen/pad system when you pay by credit card. I hate these things. Personally, I don't see the point. I find it interesting as I think about it, that I always seem to end up coming out anti-technology with this sort of thing, even though I'm a computer geek. Here's why I hate them.

Reason 1: My signature looks nothing like my signature on these things. A signature is not only supposed to be an acceptance of terms, it's also a form of authentication. If the device makes my signature look nothing like my actual signature, then what's the point? In fact, at Office Max, the cashier said "Sign in the box without placing your hand on the screen". What's worse, the stupid screen is 6 inches off the counter. That's why it looks so terrible. My hand was in an incredible awkward position. If you want my signature to even look vaguely like my actual signature, then inset the electronic pad in the counter surface. Otherwise give me the paper to sign.

Reason 2: I hate the idea of my signature being digitally stored. That means that someone could reproduce it way too easily. I suppose I shouldn't actually be too concerned about this (see Reason 1), but it still bothers me.

I'll have some more politically relevant posts during the week I think... I'm sort of taking it easy right now.