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System Issues Implementation, Occupations, Ergonomics, Social Costs Acronym: SI = IOES (pronounced II-ohz) Computing involves more than just software and hardware. People and society count too! Implementation Someday you may be asked to oversee the implementation (installation) or upgrade of computers in your office. The software and hardware decisions you make will be crucial, but there is an even greater factor for success. Here is a three-phase plan you can follow to ensure success. I. Experience: Perform a survey to discover the following facts: What is management' s experience with computers? Do the prospective users have typing and computer skills? Do the users have an unusual amount of computer phobia or hostility? Will the users welcome or resist computers or upgrades? II. Management: Make sure that: Top management announces the decision to automate. Top management explains the reasons for automation. Top management describes the benefits to the users. Top management strives to motivate users. III. Users: Ensure that: Users feel a sense of "ownership" of the new computers. Users support the decision to automate or upgrade. Users are given a choice of software/hardware options when possible. Users are thoroughly trained and provided with ongoing support. While choosing the right software and hardware is important, did you observe that people are the real keys to successful implementation? Unfortunately, many employers do not consider an investment in people to be as tangible or cost effective as buying software and hardware. When involved in an implementation, your chief job will be to enlighten management on the benefits of preparation, involvement, training, and support! Occupations If you are considering a career in the lucrative field of computing, you have many choices. Here is a partial list. Some career options have overlapping functions. For example, a Computer Consultant might write programs, recommend systems, and train clients. Even if you don't pursue a computer career, it's good to know the computer occupations so you'll know whom to call when you need help. Chief Information Officer (CIO)--The creation of this position has elevated the importance of Information as a company asset to the same level as Finances. The CIO oversees all information sources and information flows within a company. Consultant--Independent contractor who offers computer services to clients. Data Entry Operator--Enters names, addresses, numbers, and facts into a database. Database Manager--Maintains the structure of a database and the data stored in it. LAN Specialist--Installs and maintains Local Area Networks. Librarian--Catalogs, stores, and retrieves computer tapes/disks. Operator--Operates and controls a centralized computer. Programmer--Writes instructions for computer operations. Sales Representative--Matches computer system to clients' needs. Systems Analyst--Studies, then recommends ways to improve computer systems or procedures. Technician--Repairs and maintains computer systems. Trainer--Trains users to use computers and programs. Job Security Even if you don't pursue a computer occupation, if you continue to upgrade your computer skills and are motivated to help your coworkers, you can almost guarantee job security for yourself. When it comes time to layoff staff, whom do you think an employer would most likely keep? A typical computer user who never learned to do more than push buttons, never learned to work more efficiently on the computer, and had to be helped whenever something went wrong? Or, you, an outstanding computer user, fluent in Computerese, who understands the fundamentals of how a computer works, can troubleshoot and solve computer problems, and is able to train and assist computer coworkers?   Ergonomics In Greek, ergon means "work." and nomics means "managing." Ergonomics (UR-goh-NAW-miks), also known as "human engineering," is the science of managing or designing the workplace--furniture, equipment, lighting, scheduling--to fit humans rather than forcing humans to fit the workplace. Although ergonomic changes can be costly, companies are beginning to realize that comfortable, pain-free workers are more productive, with less illness, stress, and absenteeism. New laws and employee lawsuits have also hastened ergonomic adoption. Regardless, here are the chief ergonomic problem areas and how to minimize or avoid them.

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) Eyestrain is the number one complaint of computer users. Close eye work for long periods of time can cause blurred vision and dry, itchy eyes. Improper lighting or personal vision problems compound the syndrome. Take frequent breaks. At least 15 minutes every 2 hours. Focus on distant objects so your eye muscles, which must flex for close work, will relax. Use an adjustable monitor. Tilt and swivel the monitor for comfortable viewing. If possible, position the screen so you can look slightly down at it. With your eyelids covering more of your eyes, they'll have less tendency to dry out. Eliminate reflections. With your computer screen off, look for any bright reflections from windows or lamps. If possible, reposition the monitor screen or shade the light sources to eliminate glare. Direct overhead lighting or a spot lamp that shines directly on your work, but not on your screen, is best. If you can't eliminate glare, buy an anti-glare shield approved by the American Optometric Association, but be aware that these shields may also reduce image brightness and sharpness. Adjust your computer screen's brightness, contrast, and position controls. Learn how to adjust the controls for maximum readability and comfort. Take care of your personal vision needs. If you are bothered by bifocals or astigmatism while working on the computer, see your eye doctor about getting glasses designed specifically for computer work. If you wear contact lenses, remember to blink often to lubricate your eyes.

Carpal-Tunnel Syndrome This is a serious ailment and is classified as a Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI). Excessive typing or improper technique can inflame the tendons and nerves that pass through a tunnel of bone in the wrist. Symptoms vary from tingling to pain to numbness. In some cases, rest and a wrist brace are all that's needed, but severe cases may require surgery to widen the tunnel and relieve the pressure.

Take frequent breaks. At least 15 minutes every 2 hours. Stretch and relax your fingers, hands, and forearms. Hang them down at your sides and gently shake them. Use a properly elevated wrist rest or a natural-style keyboard. Traditional typists believe your wrists should never touch anything. Granted, resting your wrists can be dangerous if it bends them backwards and narrows the carpal tunnel. However, a properly-elevated wrist rest keeps your wrists in line with your hands, reduces fatigue from having to hold your wrists up, and lessens the risk of Carpal-Tunnel Syndrome. Some of the newer "natural" keyboards have built-in wrist rests and are angled outwards for comfort, but these take some getting used to, and can create adjustment problems if you must regularly switch between keyboard types. Exercise your hands and fingers. Squeezing a rubber ball, for example, will strengthen your fingers and wrists.

Body Pain Inadequate furniture and long periods of sitting can lead to head, neck, back, and other aches and pains. Take frequent breaks. At least 15 minutes every 2 hours. Get up and move around. Also, deliberately place some items you need out of reach so you are forced to get up occasionally. Stretch or walk on your breaks. Use an adjustable chair. The best ones let you alter the seat angle, back angle, armrests, and height. Occasionally change the chair's position during long work sessions to give different muscles a chance to rest. Keep yourself in good physical shape. Prevention is the best medicine. A regular program of stretching and exercise will help prevent body pain caused by less-than-ideal workplace ergonomics.

Social Costs of Computing Lest we get carried away with the wonders of computing, we should also consider its less desirable side effects. Computer Presumed Infallible Many people think that computers are smarter than humans, that they never make mistakes. For example, you likely have never doubted the accuracy of a calculator. But it is dangerous to blindly trust the results of a machine, especially in light of the next item.
Garbage In, Garbage Out (GIGO: GII-goh) Computers magnify human effort, good or bad. When you input good data, you get great results. But when you input bad data (garbage), things get really messed up! When computer troubles occur and customer service is interrupted, companies typically blame the computer. But in truth, humans, whether they be programmers or users, are the most likely cause of "computer" error.
Dehumanization Working with machines all day reduces human contact. Instead of speaking with a human bank teller, we use automatic teller machines. When we call a company nowadays, more often than not we hear a computer-recorded voice asking us to press numbers for further action. Grocery stores may someday eliminate human checkers in favor of computerized self-check-out systems. Developments like these can make our lives more efficient, but does it make them more satisfying? In some areas, like psychological counseling, it would seem that computers couldn't replace the concern and involvement shown by a human. But dozens of years ago, an experimental computer counseling program had patients readily divulging facts about themselves that they would have hesitated to reveal to a human counselor! Loss of Privacy/Freedom Credit bureaus, the IRS, and the banks can all share information on us--and sometimes the information is wrong! Financially solvent people have had credit denied or revoked. Innocent people have been jailed over mistaken identity information gained from a national computer database. Personal email has been intercepted and read. Job Displacement The computer industry has created as many new jobs as it has taken away. However, these new jobs require advanced training and workers must upgrade their skills or be left behind. Digital Divide: Haves vs. Have Nots Today it's a disadvantage not to have a telephone. What will happen to the have-nots, those who can't afford computers, when the only way to communicate, bank, and shop is through a computer? What educational advantages and advancement opportunities are available to kids today who have a home computer compared to the have-nots who can't afford one? Physical Issues As we saw in the Ergonomics section, long-term computer use can lead to physical ailments. Some scientists are also concerned about long-term exposure to low-level radiation emanating from computer monitors. For the most part it's considered safe and shielding is being improved every year, but some still have reservations. Energy Consumption At about 4 cents/hour, computers don't seem to use much electricity. But if left on around the clock that's almost $1/day ($.04x24 hrs = $.96) or about $350/year per computer. Fortunately, new, energy-efficient "Green" computers and peripherals have been designed to go into "sleep mode" when not being used, greatly reducing power consumption. But there's no going back! Despite the problems computers cause, we will never return to the precomputer era. Why not? Because computers: Provide fast service. In our society we want everything "yesterday!" Are extremely reliable. Except for GIGO, computers rarely go wrong. Perform dangerous or tedious jobs. Computerized robots can disarm bombs, work with chemicals and radiation that would endanger a human, and do mundane assembly line work. Store vast amounts of data in a small area. An entire encyclopedia can fit on a disk the size of a small plate, greatly reducing the need for paper and deforestation. And today it's possible to forsake having your own copies of everything and simply access the most up-to-date information on the Internet. Increase productivity. Although computer time can be spent wastefully by some workers (playing games, emailing social letters, surfing the Internet), if we learn to use the computer efficiently and effectively, we nearly always get more work, of a higher quality, done in less time.

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System AcroMap Here's the complete System AcroMap. As usual, draw it over and over until you can do it from memory.
	Spine S-CPOI Write out S--  C--  P--  O--  I, then add an S in front of each letter of CPOI. Spine Acrostic Using S-CPOI, pretend you're at a luau with your sister. She's hungry and you spot some poi (Hawaiian taro root paste) on a platter, so you say: Sis, See Poi!

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