Making Computers Work

159 Pages·1984·13.156 MB·English

by  Trevor J. Bentley (auth.)

MAKING COMPUTERS WORK
Also by Trevor J. Bentley
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND THE
PAPERWORK EXPLOSION
MAKING COST CONTROL WORK
REPORT WRITING IN BUSINESS
MAKING INFORMATION SYSTEMS WORK
PRACTICAL COST REDUCTION
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND DATA
PROCESSING
MAKING
COMPUTERS WORK
Trevor J. Bentley
M
©Trevor J. Bentley 1984
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
without permission.
First published 1984 by
THE MACMILLAN PRESS LTD
London and Basingstoke
Companies and representatives
throughout the world
ISBN 978-0-333-36374-4 ISBN 978-1-349-17421-8 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-1-349-17421-8
To THE LAKERS a group of intrepid middle-aged misfits with
whom I spend many happy hours
Contents
Introduction XI
1 SOME DEFINITIONS
What is a computer? -Some computer terms -
Computer systems -Types of computer
2 THE COMPUTER PAST, PRESENT AND
FUTURE 8
A brief history -Present state of the art -Potential
developments -Implications for users
3 WHY DO WE USE COMPUTERS? 15
Historical reasons -Improving efficiency -Doing
things better -Doing new things -Because they are
there -The unstoppable flood
4 THE STRENGTHS OF THE COMPUTER 20
Speed-Reliability-Versatility-Making the best
use of the computer
5 COMPUTER WEAKNESSES 27
Machine failure -Program failure -Operating
failure -Control procedures -Rigidity-Complex-
ity -Discipline -Form of output -Conclusion
6 COMPUTERS AND HUMAN BEINGS 40
Designers -Builders -Salesmen -Programmers -
Operators-Maintenance engineers-Users -Com
puter demands -Computers and unemployment
7 DECIDING WHAT YOUR NEEDS ARE 47
Why do you need a computer?-Increasing profits -
Becoming dependent -The objectives -Benefits
viii Contents
8 CHOOSING HOW TO MEET YOUR NEEDS 62
Hardware -Software -Dealing with manufacturers
and suppliers -Contracts -Tailor-made software -
Packages -Benchmark tests -Evaluation and
ranking
9 THE SELECTION APPROACH 72
Prepare system specification-Establish con
straints-Select potential suppliers-Establish selec
tion criteria -Final selection
10 INSTALLATION PROCEDURES 81
Power supplies -Environmental factors -Hard
ware delivery and commissioning -Software deliv
ery and commissioning -System preparation -
People preparation
11 SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMS 89
What is a system?-What do programs do?
programming people -Computer programs -
Tailor-made or packages?-Using systems
12 OPERATING PROCEDURES 97
Computer management and control -Planning and
scheduling-Computer runs-Multiprogramming
Multiprocessing -Control procedures -Perform-
ance monitoring -Efficient computer management
13 INTRODUCING CHANGE 107
Establish the changes created by new systems -
Determine the human problems associated with
change -Overcome the human problems of
change -Planning to make change -Conclusion
14 SYSTEMS DEPENDENCY 118
It cannot fail-We need two in case one fails-Road
blocks and diversions-The traffic jam-The point
of no return -The cure
Contents ix
15 SECURITY AND CONTROL 125
Information: a vital resource -Protection and
security-System controls and security-Oper
ational controls - Auditability-Audit path
16 MANAGING COMPUTER RESOURCES 134
The role of the computer-Who controls the use?-
The management services function -The manage-
ment of the computer -Conclusion
17 ASSESSING THE BENEFITS 141
The computer: a means to an end
Index 147
Introduction
This could have been just another book on computers, explaining
what they are, how they work and why they are so important.
Fortunately, there have been so many books written and
television programmes on this theme that emphasis can be placed
here, not on the machine, but upon its effective use.
To use a computer it is not necessary to know how it works,
how to program it or how to maintain it. If it were necessary to do
these things, then the market for computers would be very small
indeed, for few of us have the ability or inclination to learn the
technical aspects of computing.
As with the motor-car, the growth of the computer market
depends upon making it easy to use without needing to learn
anything more than how to drive it and the rules of the road. This
is exactly what is happening in the development of computers,
and very soon, if it has not happened already, users will
outnumber technicians. In addition, programming will be some
thing we choose to do rather than need to do.
This book, then, is intended for the computer user, for the driver
of the computer system. It is intended for those who want to
obtain the benefits the computer undoubtedly offers without
needing to become computer technicians.
T. J. B
Xl