You have to explain how you have looked after the equipment and ensured its safety. You have shown how you have back up information. I have looked up my computer by starting it up
20th March 2006
GCSE Coursework Task
You have to explain how you have looked after the equipment and ensured its safety.
You have shown how you have back up information.
I have looked up my computer by starting it up correctly, by turning on the hard drive and then turning on the monitor once the monitor has received signal. I log on using my correct username and password so it doesn't cause distress to the system. Whilst on the computer I do as asked and when on the Internet I don't open up too many windows to make the computer stay as fast as it is supposed to run at. When I am finished I shut down the computer and turn off the monitor. Then I place the keyboard on top of the monitor and place the mouse-mat on top, to protect the keys. Then I place the mouse on top of the mat.
Ensuring the computer's and the person using its safety includes:
* Inspections - desk's, chairs, computers.
* Training - students are taught how to use equipment properly.
* Job Design - Correct software and being designed to do the job.
* Eye Tests - People using computers on regular occasions should have regular eye tests. Testing against any deficiencies the computer may cause.
There are illnesses you can get from computers and problems that occur whilst using computers on regular occasions. Repetitive strain injury (RSI), backache, eyestrain, headaches and skin rashes are conditions that can occur.
Looking after your computer involves:
* Cleaning your PC. Use a clean dry cloth to clean the monitor, and turn the keyboard upside down and shake gently to get paper clips and staples out. The crevice tool on a vacuum cleaner can help remove crumbs and dirt.
* As your PC gets older, schedule programmes such as Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter to run at regular intervals. These will help your computer run more efficiently.
* Always use the Shut Down button to end your computer session. Just turning your PC off may, at the very least, lose or corrupt data in your files.
Sitting Right and staying comfortable
Sitting in a hunched or slouched manner wile using a computer may eventually lead to muscle, joint and back pain. Avoid these problems by remembering to sit correctly.
Adjust the chair so that:
* Your lower back is supported.
* Your knees are level with your hips.
* Your feet are on the floor.
* Your eye level is just above the top of the screen.
Your forearm is nearly at a right angle to your upper arm, and your wrist is in a straight line with your hand and forearm.
Protection From Fires
Fires, which start in computer rooms, are rare. Usually they are the result of faulty wiring or overloaded sockets. It is more likely that a fire will start in adjacent offices or in storage areas. Fireproof doors help contain fires. Smoke detectors should be used to detect fires at an early stage. Gas flooding systems are used in large computer installations and are preferred to water ones because the damage done by water is often greater than that by fire.
Protection from dust and extremes of temperature
Air conditioning is more important for larger mainframe systems where the temperature and the humidity (amount of water in the air) must be controlled. The air must also be pure and therefore be filtered before it enters the rooms.
Protecting My Files
Software can be written which does not allow access to a computer unless a password is keyed in. The password, which is never shown on the screen, should be changed regularly and should never be written down. Obvious names should also not be used. Many large systems use software to limit each user's access to only those files that are needed for the performance of their particular job; just like the system we have in our school.
Backing Up Data
Backing up data means taking a copy of the data and keeping it away from the computer in a secure place.
Rules for backing up:
* Never keep back up disks near the computer.
* Never keep the disks in the drawer of a desk.
* If you hold a lot of data, which would be very expensive to recreate, invest in a fire proof safe to protect against theft and fire.
Copyright and Confidentiality
Copyright is a kind of law. It says that if you make something, then it belongs to you. If you write a book, or you write some music, or you paint a picture, then the thing you made belongs to you. Other people cannot make a copy of it unless you say that they can.
Copyright is an important law. Copying something is much easier than making it. It is very hard to write a book. But it is easy to copy the words from a book someone else wrote. So many people could do this. But then, the person who wrote the book could not sell it. Anyone who wanted it would copy it. They would not buy it.
But then the person who wrote the book would have to do something else to get money. They would have less time to write books. If they write good books that would ...
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Copyright is an important law. Copying something is much easier than making it. It is very hard to write a book. But it is easy to copy the words from a book someone else wrote. So many people could do this. But then, the person who wrote the book could not sell it. Anyone who wanted it would copy it. They would not buy it.
But then the person who wrote the book would have to do something else to get money. They would have less time to write books. If they write good books that would be a bad thing. We want them to have time to write books. Then we can read them and enjoy them. So we have to pay for the books, so that the person who wrote them can get money. And we have to stop people copying the books themselves, so that they have to pay for the books.
If you copy something that you did not make, and the person who made it has not said that you can copy it, then you are breaking copyright law. Usually, if the police catch you, you will have to pay a fine to the person who made the thing you copied. If you copied many things you might have to go to prison.
Some people say that Copyright law is bad. They say it does not work well. If you want to sell something you made, you have to take it to a publisher. But the publisher has many different things to sell. They may not want to sell the thing you made. Or they may sell it but not give all of the money to you. But you cannot stop them. Because without them you cannot sell the thing you made. People say this is very bad. It stops people getting money from selling things they have made. And copyright law does not help.
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act make it a criminal offence to copy or steal software. Under the act it is an offence to copy or distribute software or any manuals, which come with it, without permission or a licence from the copyright owner, who is normally the software designer. It is also an offence to run purchased software covered by copyright on two or more machines at the same time, unless the licence specifically allows it. The act makes it illegal for an organisation to encourage, allow, compel or pressure its employees to make or distribute copies of illegal software for use by the organisation.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using IT To Produce Work
Advantages
Disadvantages
Neater- font, and size.
Mistakes easily made - spell/grammar check sometimes do the changes without telling you and cause grammar errors.
Overall Presentation - Appears to be neater.
Cause injury to user - not sitting correctly.
Easy to proof read - Comes up with a green line if the grammar is incorrect.
Printing Errors - no ink.
More Software To Do applied task - Microsoft Word, Internet etc.
Network Cable is sometimes unplugged - causing the user to not be able to log-in.
Easy to spell check - comes up with a red line under work if spelling is wrong.
Work - can be perceived as 'not your own' work.
Can print things - Going into file then print.
Search Engines - sometimes what your looking for doesn't come up; causing delays in work.
More wide range of information by using the WWW - search engines.
Work can be lost - computers can 'crash.'
Can save it and back-up so it can never be lost - Password lock files.
Can forget passwords - wont be able to get back into work.
You can send your work to other people by email - Going into file then send to.
Someone can easily be able to copy your work if you enable worldwide access.
Viruses
Viruses are programs whose purpose is to disrupt the sensible use of computers. Many viruses do little more then display messages on a screen, but some are designed to act after a certain period of time and do such things as make letters start to drop off the screen or even erase the entire contents of the hard disk. As their name suggests, viruses are able to spread by 'infecting' other disks and they do this by copying themselves onto other disks, which are being used by the computer. Although there are many viruses (over 2000 to date), the main problems are caused by a handful of familiar ones like; Cascade, Form, Jerusalem, and Stoned. These viruses have been around for a long time; they are well understood and easy to remove by anti-virus software. Viruses are common when a large number of users are used; such as schools and work offices.
I have protected my work against Viruses by using anti-virus software, which scans my users memory and disks to detect viruses. If any viruses are detected, then the software removes them or disinfects the disk. My anti-virus program takes a minute to scan 200MB of files. My anti-virus program is constantly enabled and is usually on the highest level it can go on. This blocks all harmful data and files from infecting my computer. For instance I have just run a virus check and I have 3049 files on and linked to my user and none have been detected as corrupt.
Errors That The Computer Reports Whilst I Am Working
When I am working on the computer error reports come up frequently. One of the common ones is a spelling/grammar mistake. When you make a spelling mistake the word that you spelt incorrectly will have an squiggly red line underneath the incorrect word. This is to let the user have perfect work.
When you make a grammar mistake the word that you put in context wrong will have an squiggly green line underneath the incorrect word. This is to perfect the users grammar and again make them have perfect work.
Other errors are saving-errors. Sometimes you can be loading up too many windows at one time and the computer will 'crash' this is when the computer stops working and all its function are disabled; the mouse doesn't work and nor does the keyboard. In the worst situation you have to shutdown the computer by the mains. This will cause all work that hasn't been saved to become lost. Sometimes work is also lost by mistakes. When you close the window and it comes up: would you like to save? Sometimes you can accidentally press cancel-causing work to be lost again.
Personal Health and Safety Whilst Using a Computer
Health and safety when using computers requires both an awareness of legislation governing this area, and common sense. Developments in legislation for health and safety within the European Union (EU) led to the introduction of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, 1992. Regulations have subsequently been introduced for the protection of workers specifically in relation to the habitual use of display screen equipment, manual handling, work equipment and personal protective equipment.
Over the last few years, there have been several issues that have caused concern over the use of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) equipment. These include repetitive strain injury (RSI), eyestrain and related problems caused by stress and working with VDUs. Ergonomics or good design of the working environment can help to overcome these problems and enable people to work more effectively, whether centre staff or centre users. Centre managers have a responsibility to create a safe working environment for both their staff and users, though some of the issues and solutions might differ (for example, staff are likely to be more at risk of RSI than a user would be, because they will probably use computers much more than a user would). Other issues relate more generally to the working environment, such as general office safety, but can be applied easily to your centre.
Health and safety legislation and ICT
As a result of an EC Directive, UK regulations came into force directly relating to the use of display screen equipment in the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations, 1992. These regulations apply to 'an employee who habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work'.
This would apply to centre staff. The regulations require employers to assess and reduce risk, plan work to allow breaks or changes of activity, provide information and training and provide eye tests on request, including minimum requirements for the equipment, workstation and work environment (including the screen, keyboard, software, desk and chair design and lighting).
The Electricity at Work Regulations (1989) require all electrical systems and equipment to be constructed and maintained in a safe condition. Those involved in the purchasing of ICT systems and equipment need to be aware
that there are certain standards relating to the safety of ICT equipment, such as the Specification for safety of ICT equipment including electrical business equipment - IEC/EN 60 950/BS 7002. There are also guidelines set out for safety standards in offices: Electrical systems in office furniture and office screens - BS 6396.
Health, safety and ICT in the centre
If users are allowed to connect up or unplug electrical equipment this should only be after proper instruction and always under the supervision of the centre staff. It is important to choose a sensible position for equipment. Workstation design should enable users to reach all necessary equipment without stretching and should be clear of obstruction. The following list of specific considerations may help as they relate to most ICT equipment including computers, scanners and photocopiers:
• Electrical safety
• Heat
• Humidity
• Light
• Noise
• Space
• User comfort
Electrical safety
Within the usual restrictions of locating electrical equipment (such as socket availability and the length of cables), it is essential that the location of the equipment does not increase the risk of danger to equipment or users. Particular issues to watch for are:
• stray leads - re-route them, secure and cover
• trailing flexes - secure and cover
• frayed leads - replace
• damaged plugs - replace
• overloading/power surging - this can occur when running long extension leads
• coiled cables - where the heat generated could be sufficient to start a fire
• accidental damage - in particular any cuts to flex insulation but also damage from dust or spit liquid
• fuses - check that the correct rating is fitted.
Heat
Almost all ICT equipment gives off heat. In many cases this can build up during the day and become quite oppressive for users, whilst it is also not good for the equipment itself. Large collections of ICT equipment may need to be located in an air-conditioned or at least well-ventilated room. Turning off equipment when not in use can reduce heat.
Light
Screens should be positioned to reduce reflections and glare from lights and windows (blinds can be used to reduce glare on computer screens from windows). Clean screens give better visibility and reduce glare. Work surfaces should be non-reflective and clean.
Noise
Almost all ICT equipment gives off background noise even when not in use if the power is switched on. A persistent hum can be distracting. Many software packages also feature noise as part of their operation and there is the noise of the users, especially if working in groups. Therefore, some equipment may need to be located away from other sources of noise to avoid the user being distracted.
Software
Health and safety legislation covers this area in relation to stress and:
• ease of use
• sufficient training
• appropriateness to task.
Space
Around a workstation there should be enough space for peripherals, papers, books and other materials. Also, there should be space for more than one user at a time, and for centre staff to gain access.
User comfort and safety
Apart from taking frequent short breaks from intense computer work (a ten-minute break for every hour to allow eyes to readjust to greater distances), users should be comfortably positioned with easy access to all equipment. In the case of equipment to be operated whilst sitting, it is essential that the user can adjust his or her position in relation to the equipment as appropriate. In particular:
•Screens - angle and height should be adjustable. The top of the screen should be roughly at eye level. Users should also be able to control brightness, screen colours and type fonts.
•Keyboard - users should have the option to have the keyboard flat or tilted, and move the keyboard to a more comfortable position on the desk to suit them.
•Seating - height of the chair to the desk should be adjustable bearing in mind that users should be aiming for a particular posture when operating computer equipment; the lower arms should be roughly horizontal when working with knees fitting comfortably under the desk with thighs roughly horizontal. Footrests should be available as necessary.
•Peripherals - avoid putting these in hard-to-reach positions especially if users need access to drives, switches etc.
•Headphones and speakers need to be adjustable so that the volume is not too loud. Hygiene should also be considered, particularly when using in-ear headphones.
Related health and safety considerations
Other aspects of health and safety should also be considered, including:
• hazardous substances
• manual handling
• personal safety.
Hazardous substances
Toner used in printers and photocopiers is a fine dust. At one time, some toner was carcinogenic and may still be in use in some institutions. Careful handling required the use of gloves and special waste disposal. Inhalation should be avoided, as should contact with skin. It is always advisable to check the manufacturer's instructions.
Fluids used for cleaning and in some reprographic processes are flammable. Always handle these with care and store in minimum quantities, preferably in metal, away from heat. Other substances, such as solvents, are dangerous to inhale. Care should always be taken to re-seal lids securely and store in upright containers. They should not be used in confined spaces and adequate ventilation should be maintained.
Hazardous substances should be recorded in a COSHH register (Care of Substances Harmful to Health). This should include a product information sheet, which indicates the treatment needed in the event of dangerous contact with the substance.
Manual handling
IT equipment is often heavy or bulky and consideration should be given to the Manual Handling regulations. Trolleys could be used where appropriate. It is better to push a trolley, than pull it.
Personal safety
When using equipment such a photocopiers, remember that clothing, jewellery, hair, etc. can become trapped in fast moving parts. Dangerous parts should be guarded and guards must be kept in position when the machine is in use. As always, some of the responsibility for all aspects of health and safety lies with the individual, but instruction and training where possible will minimise risks.
Health and safety culture
It is important to develop an awareness of health and safety issues within your centre and recognition by staff, volunteers, managers and users that they all have a responsibility towards health and safety.
Wireless Networks
Your centre may utilise wireless technology in which case the health and safety issues vary slightly.
All devices and systems, which use wireless technology, raise health and safety issues over the possible effects of radiation. Some equipment is supplied with guidelines and regulations issued by the US Federal Communications Committee (FCC). This includes advice that all users should remain at least two inches from a Wireless LAN PC card and eight inches from a base station. Some vendors provide additional guidelines on use of equipment to minimise any potential risk, and research in these areas is ongoing. These distances should be greater if some form of external antenna is being used. In the UK this area of protection from and exposure to radiation is the responsibility of the National Radiology Protection Board (NRPB).
Various manufacturer and industry websites can provide statements relating to health and safety but these often refer to the FCC regulations rather than specific research on health issues relating to 2.4GHz Wireless LAN.
The majority of investigation into the safety of wireless communications has been looking at mobile phone use. Results from the research
have been inconclusive owing primarily to lack of evidence. Themajor published UK report is the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, also known as the Stewart Report.
Whilst there are some similarities between the technologies used in mobile phones and wireless networking on this scale, the key difference is in the power output: wireless networking devices output significantly less power than mobile phone handsets and transmitters.
Tom Mahoney
GCSE Coursework: ICT
0 Set 2
