Public Discounts (application)
 Logo | |
| Original author(s) | Sng′rja′ Ham-long |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | C. R. & C. Systems |
| Initial release | 1 February 2005 |
| Repository |
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| Written in | C |
| Engine | |
| Operating system | uOS, Sandroid |
Public Servants Discount (公服惠, gwidh-klong-gjên) is a mobile application that catalogues discounts provided for members of the Themiclesian military. Its name references a speech made by Prime Minister Lord Tl'jang-mjen in 1875 in the House of Commons, asking regiments and ships not to make unique demands on the treasury (e.g. for quality-of-life subsidies and garrison allowances) because they were "all public subjects, doing public work" (率公臣公服).
The application was launched in 2005 on PDA systems that were somewhat popular in Themiclesia at the time, though it has been ported to other platforms such as uOS and Sandroid since 2007.
History
Functions
Unlike some nations where military discounts are provided for all members of the armed forces, the Themiclesian government does not provide discounts for military personnel as a matter of policy, leaving individual merchants and retailers to make this decision. Most Themiclesian merchants only provide discounts for certain units or appointed dates, based for the most part on professional, commercial, geographic, or historic relationships between the merchant and military unit.
For example, two of four Themiclesian airlines provide discounts for flying members of the Themiclesian Air Force, since many of their pilots were themselves former military pilots, and the corporation courts the TAF for future recruits. The Beluga Line, likewise, employs former naval personnel and offers varying discounts to them and their counterparts in service. The Kien-k'ang Consortium of Wholesalers offered discounts to units of the Capital Defence Force since 1910, being an example of discounts offered based on garrison location and geographic affiliation. Themiclesia Telecom offers discounts to the Royal Signals Corps, since its technicians are frequently immersed or seconded from the telecom. Many hospitals waive registration fee for military doctors, on the grounds of professional association. The Operatic Society of Tonning grants a discount for soldiers originally from Tonning for their voluntary efforts in rebuilding theatres in the region.
Such discounts exclude members of other services or members of different specializations. Units that do not have good analogues in civilian society typically lack access to discounts. Statistically, infantry and armoured units have the fewest discounts, as they are not associated with any profession or trade. In other cases, traditional privileges enjoyed are no longer extant or useful. Marines were allowed free ferries rides (maximum one marine per ferry), but ferries on the Themiclesian coast have all but become extinct since the coastal railway was completed. Some units are notorious for their abundance of discounts, resulting in a considerably more competitive recruitment scene compared to units infamous for the reverse.
The applicaiton permits searching for stores by region, product, and discount that applies to the serviceperson's branch or unit.
Interface
Reception
Reception amongst the Themiclesian military is generally positive, some claiming that they have saved thousands of dollars per year.