Welcome to the web page of the Department of Elfland Security
Home
Store

Digital Etch-A-Sketch for the Craftsman Elves

Digital Etch-A-Sketch for the Craftsman Elves

Santa was in the workshop and noticed that there were many elves who were processing orders on etch-a-sketches instead of using their communication devices to submit and process the orders to the Santa's Village Computer Network. Although this has been done for many, many years, it was defeating the purpose of the computer network and causing some backups with the order processing and creating some extra work in data entry for the order takers. Even worse, if the etch-a-sketches get bumped or shaken on their way to the order takers, then some time is lost going back to the craftsman elf and ask them what they wrote down.

Santa asked the craftsman elves why they were not using the communication devices and relying back on the old methods. Surprisingly, he found out the issue. The elves were so used to using the wheels on the etch-a-sketch, they were having problems trying to learn how to use the keyboards and the buttons on the communication devices. To them it was just quicker to use the old ways and move onto the next task as hand.

Something you should know about the workshop craftsman elves is that they are very mechanical and set in their ways. They are extremely focus on creating, building, and painting toys and gifts and could really care less about anything else. For them to stop and learn something new is really a waste of time in their minds. They have been building toys and gifts that exact same way for hundreds of years. Why do they need to change anything?

Once Santa knew what the issue was, he went over to the Office of Research and Development and asked them if they could come up with some way to make an adapter for the craftsman elves' communication devices that looks and operated just like the traditional etch-a-sketch. It would convert what they write on the screen to information being sent through the computer network and over to the database for the order takers. This would be tremendously helpful in clearing up that bottle neck of the flow of information and one of the main reasons why the installed the computer network in the first place.

As Santa entered their offices, he ducked down to get through the doorway and said, "Well my experts, I have another problem for you to solve for me. I need you to take this (as he held up an etch-a-sketch) and make it work with this, (as he held up a communication device in the other hand).

"But Santa, you realize that is not possible, right?," asked one of the engineers, and they all laughed at him.

"I have full confidence that you will use your knowledge and skills and come up with something," he replied. "All you need to do is make the craftsman elves think that they are using this (as he shook the etch-a-sketch). Build something and put the guts of the communicator inside it. They won't know, and really won't care to be honest."

The department agreed that they could probably come up with something, but the major component would be the software that would be needed for this conversion. Before they started developing something themselves, they took to the Internet to see if there was something already out there developed, and they came across a blog post by Ben Collins that talked about taking a Google Sheet and making it work like an etch-a-sketch.

Etch a Sheet by Ben Collins

This would be perfect for the software. Now, all they had to do was the simple part to create an overlay for the communications devices and the Craftsman Elves would be none the wiser and just think they were doing what they have doing for years.

You can get your very own copy of the template by connecting to Ben Collins' blog post and find out more about the Etch-A-Sketch in Google Sheets. CLICK HERE to connect.

Pages

Department of Elfland Security Website Department Website
Department of Elfland Security Website
About the Department of Elfland Security About the Department
Detailed information about the department and our involvement with The Assembly of Legendary Figures.
Elf Workers Union Handbook Elf Workers Union Handbook
Get your own copy of the Elf Workers Union Handbook.
Department of Elfland Security Frequently Asked Questions Department Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked question to the Department of Elfland Security from children all over the world and workers at North Pole City.
Golden Candy Cane Awards Golden Candy Cane Awards
Information about the Golden Candy Cane Awards and how to submit a candidate.

Digital Etch-A-Sketch for the Craftsman Elves


The Department's Divisions

Office of Elf Affairs Office of Elf Affairs
The Office of Elf Affairs acts as a liaison between the elf workers union and the office of human resources.
Flight Command Division Flight Command Division
The Division of Flight Command is responsible for coordinating all of the flights to and from Santa’s Village at the North Pole.
Division of History and Research Division of History and Research
The Division of History and Research is responsible for researching and documenting the history of all of the legendary figures and the elf nation.
Forestry Division Forestry Division
The Division of Forestry is responsible for all agriculture at North Pole City.
Gift Wrap and Decoration Division Gift Wrap and Decoration Division
The division of Gift Wrap and Decoration is responsible for all designs and production of the gift wrap used at Santa's Village.
Office of Naughty or Nice List Office of Naughty or Nice List
This department is responsible compiling the naughty and nice database so that it is ready for Santa's second approval.
Post Office Post Office
As you can imagine, Santa's village receives millions of postal letters each day and the Post Office Division is the center of all of these communications.
Division of Research and Development Division of Research and Development
The Division of Research and Development is responsible for all of the technology advances at North Pole City and within Santa's Village.
Mrs. Claus Kitchen Mrs. Claus' Kitchen
This division is responsible for the serving food to all of the elf workings within Santa's Village.
Division of Tailor and Seamstress Division of Tailor and Seamstress
This division is responsible for designing and manufacturing the clothing for all of the elves at North Pole City and Santa\'s Village
Santa's Workshop Santa's Workshop
This division of Santa's Village is responsible for the creation and assembly of all of the gifts that Santa's delivers on Christmas Eve.
Security and Investigation Division Security and Investigation Division
The Security and Investigation Division also known as the Security Detail is responsible for all of the Security Detail is responsible for the guarded security of all of the members of the Assembly of Legendary Figures.
Santa's Reindeer Stables Santa's Reindeer Stables
Santa's Reindeer Stables elves are responsible for the care of Santa's reindeer and sleighs. They keep the team and fleet in top flying condition at all times.
Landing and Preparation Team Landing and Preparation Team
The Department of Elfland Security's Landing and Preparation Team is the group of elves that are deployed ahead of Santa Claus to make sure that all is well before Santa lands to make his deliveries or visit.
WWW / PR Office WWW/PR Office
The office responsible for website updates and public relations.

Child Safety

Child Safety Guide for Parents A Child Saftety Guide For Parents
Child safety is one of the most vital issues to consider during child rearing. This site is full of useful information for child safety.
McGruff Craime Dog McGruff.org
McGruff the Crime Dog and pal, Scruff, bring ideas about kids staying safe through safety puzzles, games, and coloring pages.
iKeepSafe.org iKeepSafe.org
Information about on-line child safety.

Department Resources

WorldOMeter WorldOMeter.info
Provides live statistics of vairous items all over the world.

Pinterest Boards

Elves Caught Elves Caught
A Pinterest Board showing "Scout" Elves Caught from around the world.
Elves at Work Elves at Work
A Pinterest Board of Elves at Work
EB-Bunny Trail

Pinterest Board

WELF-NPC North Pole City Radio On-Air