Be prepared for:
- Saving files to the desktop
- USB storage devices (consider bringing a USB extention cable in front) - $5/workstation
- Instant Messaging free
- CD burning (in times of need especially) - $50/external, $25/internal
- Multimedia content free software
- Playing games
- Trying to look at TIFFs (US Patent Office)
- Installing programs!? (admin privileges territory)
If we're not helping our users, what are we doing?
A weekly, bi-weekly or monthly schedule
- Have people been adjusting the brightness/contrast?
- Are the mice clogged with gross fuzz? (hint: buy optical mice)
- Speaking of gross, keyboards anyone?
- Make sure the following are up to date:
Let staff do this before or after hours.
- Ink costs out of control?
- Paper jams every 15 minutes?
- People walking out with their prints?
Maybe centralizing printing is an option, it doesn't have to be expensive. Cheap laser printers.
Let's call it all malware
- Spyware
- report browsing habits, direct traffic, more insidious?
- downloaded through user agency
- Viruses
- destructive
- contain code to self replicate
Spyware can cripple computers with slow operation and pop ups. Not to mention it can report surfing data.
Run these programs in
safe mode
Don't forget to turn off XP System Restore!
stick with these!
Viruses can erase files from your machine, and turn them into
zombies!
Restore computers to a clean state upon reboot
Libraries need to be easy. Why?
- We're charged with providing a resource to our communities.
- Self preservation...we want them to come back.
Please consider making your computers easy and secure using these tips!
