[12003] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Slaving Information Desk PC Monitor
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Graham Dawson)
Wed Feb 11 20:04:15 1998
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 17:41:15 -0600
From: Graham Dawson <g.dawson@qut.edu.au>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
If you have done this type of thing for your reference desk, I would love
to hear from you.
g.dawson@qut.edu.au
My idea is to slave a second monitor to the reference desk PCs, so
effectively there would be one monitor for the librarian, and one for the
client.
Because there is usually at least 90 (to perhaps 180) degrees and a desk
physically separating librarian and client, we have sub-optimal
communication between librarian and client (concerning any screen-based
resource).
Nether librarian, nor client has a proper view of the screen. There is also
a health & safety issue of librarian continually twisting head and neck to
share their view of the one screen.
The are a range of possible configurations for the second monitor. Here are
a couple of ideas:
* Recessing the second monitor in the bench top where it faces up and out
up at the client, at an generically optimal viewing angle.
* Placing the second monitor under (strong) glass at bench top level (near
the outside edge).
The last thing I had in mind was placing any form of physical barrier
between librarian and client.
It should be possible for the librarian to use the mouse pointer to draw
the client's attention to information in a portion of the client's screen.
It may well be possible that some other device permits the client to
`point' back. Does such a device exist?
I guess a switch to turn off the slaved monitor would be needed. Don't
want the public to see that game of solitaire as librarian bides away the
wee dreary hours :-)
All relevant comments welcome.
Thanks, Graham
Graham Dawson E-mail: g.dawson@qut.edu.au
Librarian, Bibliographic Services Voice: + 61 7 3864 3811
Queensland University of Technology Library
Victoria Park Road Fax: + 61 7 3864 3994
KELVIN GROVE QLD 4059 Brisbane Australia
<http://wwwlib.qut.edu.au/about/staff/g_dawson.html>
