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Making Computers Work PDF

159 Pages·1984·13.156 MB·English
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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

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Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.