Obviously you are some kind of Starbucks wanker. You would probably drink toxic sludge if it had an Italian name, and was more then $5.

Coffee is brown coloured water that tastes strange. Doesn't mater where you get it.

Parking meter are not sold by the best technology, they are sold by the best kickbacks.

I worked for a company, and wrote the software for a street level parking kiosk that could do pay by space (enter a stall number), pay and display (put a ticket on the dash), and pay by plate (enter your plate number) all at the same time, and at the customers choosing. By having a slightly larger unit for every 10-15 spaces, you could offer payment by coin, bill, credit, cell phone, & stored value card (Gift Card).

Often though all the features that made sense (as a client is concerned) were disabled so that the revenue stream from parking and mostly ticketing is increased - Greed.

Of course, there are plenty of stupid meters out there. Most of the technology is still around the Commodore 64 era, and has never been improved. Any improvements you see are mostly cosmetic - ie, "New Fiber Optic Communications" are actually just a Serial to Ethernet converter, hooked into the existing RS-485 port on the machine.

In a different time, and a different economy, I'd say save hard for a few months, then quit, explaining that you cannot in good conscience work for a company that is devoid of humour.

Your comments are there for you and the person who comes after you. Trust me, THEY will appreciate it.

If the PHB is already opposed to this, then he is not a viable manager. Recession/Depression are the times when companies offload this type of cruft. Since he is still there, his brown nose skills are strong, and you should not challenge him. Suck it up and conform. Bide your time and break free when you can.

YOU IDIOT !!

Didn't you get the memo ! The plan is to TELL them we are bluring out the important buildings, but actually blur out the houses of the Investment Bankers.