[11990] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: (long) Nova desks, Electronic Resources Center
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Dan Lester)
Thu Feb 5 20:22:12 1998
Date: Thu, 05 Feb 1998 17:07:15 -0600
From: Dan Lester <dan@84.com>
In-Reply-To: <Pine.SOL.3.96.980203095040.22280C-100000@robin.cooper.edu>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
At 12:29 PM 2/3/98 -0600, Julie Castelluzzo wrote:
>FYI: The Nova desks have the computer monitor mounted below the work
>surface, and the user views the screen through a glass viewport. There is
>an adjustable sliding drawer to hold the keyboard and mouse.
We don't have the Nova brand, but do have the same type of workstations in
some labs and some staff work areas in our library.
>The main reason I recommended this type of furniture was that we needed to
>use the room as both an electronic resources center, and as a facility for
>library instruction. Instruction is much easier when you don't have a big
>computer screen in between you and the people you're talking to.
Having taught BI and computer skills in both types of classroom, I'll
disagree, particularly if the instructor goes around the room and helps
students at their monitor. Even if the student can see the monitor under
the glass, it is almost impossible for the instructor to do so without
getting into an "uncomfortable" or "compromising" position with the
student. This can be further exacerbated due to glare on the glass or
similar issues.
>The overwhelming response to the facilities is very positive. The students
>love the new desks, which give them room to spread out their papers while
>doing a computer search. Those who remember the room as it used to be
>(study carrels with partitions between each person) think this is a
>major improvement. When the room had just study carrels, it was very
>underutilized.
It does sound like an improvement on what you have, but note caveats below.
>keyboards. This will also solve any accessibility problems for people who
>may not want to climb the stairs to the new center. (The new room is on
>our mezzanine level, which can only be reached by climbing about 20
>stairs.)
Interesting. Our campus access people wouldn't have let us put such a
major facility in ANY location that wasn't completely handicapped
accessible. No matter what.
>I know this is long-winded, but I wanted to get out a report on our
>progress, since I know some of you are interested. If you have more
>questions, please feel free to contact me directly. Thanks to everyone on
>this list for all the valuable tips and advice!
I appreciate your excellent summary of what you've done. Thanks.
Now, to the issue of the "under the glass in the desk monitor type of
workstations".
First, as one with some visual impairment, I find them almost impossible to
use. Glare is the most frequent problem, even with some in a room
expressly designed as a conference room with two U shaped groups of them,
with moderator/teacher at the top of the two nested U's.
Second, they are an acquired taste at best. When we completed a complete
renovation and expansion of our building recently, all staff had an
opportunity to choose whether they wanted their monitors under the desk
glass, or in a more "traditional" location on the desktop. All had a lot
of time to try both versions, as a couple of people already had this
arrangement. Less than ten percent chose to have the monitors under the
desktop. And this isn't because we're staffed with traditional people,
either. We have people using EVERY known type of pointing device, so
they're not afraid to try things. But on this one most decided it wasn't
as easy to read or work. I will admit that those who have them love them.
I'll also admit that I'd expected at least a third of the staff would
choose the under desktop monitors. But.....didn't happen.
Third, they are also a problem for those who are obese, who have problems
with their backs, or many with similar problems that in some way impair
their ability to get into the ONE RIGHT POSITION to see the monitor. That
is my personal biggest complaint. As I'm in front of a monitor twelve or
more hours a day, I like to be able to move to different angles, tip the
monitor in different ways, sit at an angle, move keyboard from tray to lap,
etc, etc, depending on how I feel and what I'm doing.
Just food for thought before everybody runs out and buys these Nova
stations or similar.
cheers
dan
--
Dan Lester, 3577 East Pecan, Boise, Idaho 83716-7115 USA 208-383-0165
dan@84.com http://www.84.com/ (check out our 1997 holiday letter)
http://library.idbsu.edu/ http://cyclops.idbsu.edu/ http://www.lili.org/
Sent me a postcard of a library yet? You'll get something nice in return.
