In relation to visitors, they will be few and far between. However all people (including staff and visitors) are admitted to the room by people within it. So they will know when visitors are approaching. Unfortunately they will also know when the boss is coming! That way they can flick back from the Simpsons to CNN.
We are very process driven, however a lot of that stuff can be changed and continually improved whereas the capital fitout is a case of getting it right first time.
Have you got any good references for lighting in these environments? We're getting a lot of conflicting advice and it would be good to get (yet) more.
We aim to have a number of wheelchair-users as staff, so the facility is totally accessible. For those who do need to get up and stretch, we'll have anti-RSI software which forces them to leave the workstation occasionally (with an override of course).
I'm glad you've endorsed fruit. As I mentioned in an earlier comment here, we want to provide food, snacks, however are aware that it's a fairly sedentary role and don't want our staff to pack on the kilos.
We will also have a 'play hard' computer/TV for (career appropriate) recreational use.
I am the OP. Thanks for your advice. You've saved us millions. No, billions.
Now that you've established I am clueless, go away and read some of the genuinely insightful comments on this thread and you'll see precisely why I asked Slashdot. It's called canvassing a broad range of opinions. Even the world's best consultants/designers would have only designed a handful of these personally. I don't want to make any expensive mistakes and I am quite happy to consider the opinion of a low-ranking staff member earning a few bucks an hour sitting in these places before I subject our low-ranking staff to the same mistakes.
And FYI, my consultants are reading this thread and loving it.
They have also pre-weakened one of the segments, so that a person crawling through the ductwork will fall through it, landing adjacent to armed hostage takers.
Also, we have a greasing area such that the lunch lady can grease up the groundskeeper should he need to rescue any animals running through the ducting.
Personal headsets are arranged. Keyboards will be hard, but we are going to have alcohol-based hand sanitizer at the entrance to the room and adjacent to each workstation.
The adjacent kitchen/breakout will have chilled water on tap. Ditto Coffee, so that's covered.
In relation to lighting, a *lot* of ergonomic advice suggests that broadcast control rooms and other monitor-heavy environments should be dim light.
However I agree it's uncomfortable and I suspect it's a personal preference. So we will probably just allow staff to control lighting levels themselves, rather than mandate them.
We need to be mindful of lighting types, given the 24x7 operation running costs as well as the requirement for UPS and generator backup.
We're steering towards LED or dimmable fluorescent for ambient lighting, with specific task-lights above each workstation.
We've considered the different lighting scenes for daytime, night shifts etc. Will probably end up giving the staff control over lighting and let them fight amongst themselves.
Thank you. We were already considering Aerons (which is my chair of choice) so your comment has helped reinforce this.
As Aerons come in multiple sizes, we are getting a variety of them to suit people of different build. However it's hard to predict what these will be in the future. Do your colleagues choose their 'own' chair? Or are they unaware of the size difference and simply share them all.
We considered a 'pod' approach, however all the desks will need to face a videowall, so it will tend to be more of a 'classroom' layout, with something of a curve in it.
All monitors can be linked to the videowall, so (if you'll excuse the NCIS reference - I love that show) anyone can 'put it on the bigscreen'.
We're evaluating Hiperwall for controlling this. It's really cool and will avoid some of the White Elephants referred to in other comments here, a few years from now.
We will provide food, snacks etc. However we're mindful that it's a fairly sedentary job so I have to watch out for staff sitting around all day eating cheesy-poofs.
There is a 'breakout area' and kitchenette within the bunker, albeit in a separate room. Food prep, water cooler and coffee machine(s) are there. As well as the reasons you state, it will also help the staff separate work from food/relaxation areas.
No food or uncovered drinks will be allowed in the operational areas (coffee with a spillproof lid is fine).
All equipment is suitably above the floor that if a flood occurs, the worst impact will be wet feet, not wet equipment.
Dubai's police chief says concern over espionage (specifically, by the US and Israel) led to the decision to limit BlackBerry services.
Well of course he would say that. Despotic Arab regimes have always used the US and Israel as an excuse for their own totalitarianism and oppression of minorities.
The article details the real reason, as if it wasn't obvious: Tamim told a conference on information technology that the proposed BlackBerry curbs are also "meant to control false rumors and defamation of public figures due to the absence of surveillance,"
Translation: It promotes freedom of expression, and limits the government's ability to control its people, which frightens the shit out of Arab dictators.
However when it comes to physical security (as opposed to IT or crypto) in many cases he's just wrong.
I'm no fan of the American approach to aviation security (as opposed to the Israeli approach) however Schneier should stick to what he knows. In the past he's railed against the few techniques which really work, simply because of his political views. For example, the question of profiling. Yes, when done badly, it's stupid. When done well however it is more effective than any technology-only solution. e.g. making harmless non-Muslim grandmothers take off their shoes to be X-rayed.
How hard is it for phone manufacturers to make a handset with a Really Freakin' Loud speakerphone?
When I am not in my own car (with a car-kit) I use the iPhone's built-in speaker and it sucks badly. I end up holding the phone an inch from my ear and might as well just be using it normally.
Why don't they just spend a couple o' grand on porno.
I remember my formative years spent in the school library, searching the dictionary for all the rude words. While I was there, I noticed some other books as well.
I'd love to get into a detailed argument with you, but my comment was modded flamebait in a single mouse-click by someone too lazy to come up with a more substantial reply involving, you know, words.
Slashdot Mirror
I am the OP.
Thanks for some great feedback.
In relation to visitors, they will be few and far between. However all people (including staff and visitors) are admitted to the room by people within it. So they will know when visitors are approaching. Unfortunately they will also know when the boss is coming! That way they can flick back from the Simpsons to CNN.
We are very process driven, however a lot of that stuff can be changed and continually improved whereas the capital fitout is a case of getting it right first time.
Have you got any good references for lighting in these environments? We're getting a lot of conflicting advice and it would be good to get (yet) more.
Also, for video wall, check out http://www.hiperwall.com/Technology.aspx which we think is going to give Barco a real run for their money.
I am the OP.
I have said all along, that the *primary* objective is the staff, ergonomics and the mission.
Showing off is a nice aim, but a secondary one. However, if I can combine the two, that's terrific.
In relation to individuality etc. it's not a big issue as the operators are hot-desking anyway.
Also, we only ever hire attractive staff.
I am the OP.
We like the Aeron too.
See: http://www.hiperwall.com/Technology.aspx which will allow us to replace components over time.
I am the OP.
We asked a specialist company. They charged $5k and said "ask Slashdot".
I am the OP.
Thanks for some great ideas.
We aim to have a number of wheelchair-users as staff, so the facility is totally accessible. For those who do need to get up and stretch, we'll have anti-RSI software which forces them to leave the workstation occasionally (with an override of course).
I'm glad you've endorsed fruit. As I mentioned in an earlier comment here, we want to provide food, snacks, however are aware that it's a fairly sedentary role and don't want our staff to pack on the kilos.
We will also have a 'play hard' computer/TV for (career appropriate) recreational use.
I am the OP. Thanks for your advice. You've saved us millions. No, billions.
Now that you've established I am clueless, go away and read some of the genuinely insightful comments on this thread and you'll see precisely why I asked Slashdot. It's called canvassing a broad range of opinions. Even the world's best consultants/designers would have only designed a handful of these personally. I don't want to make any expensive mistakes and I am quite happy to consider the opinion of a low-ranking staff member earning a few bucks an hour sitting in these places before I subject our low-ranking staff to the same mistakes.
And FYI, my consultants are reading this thread and loving it.
I am the OP.
We've discussed your idea with them.
They have also pre-weakened one of the segments, so that a person crawling through the ductwork will fall through it, landing adjacent to armed hostage takers.
Also, we have a greasing area such that the lunch lady can grease up the groundskeeper should he need to rescue any animals running through the ducting.
I am the OP. Thank you for your message.
Personal headsets are arranged. Keyboards will be hard, but we are going to have alcohol-based hand sanitizer at the entrance to the room and adjacent to each workstation.
I am the OP.
The adjacent kitchen/breakout will have chilled water on tap. Ditto Coffee, so that's covered.
In relation to lighting, a *lot* of ergonomic advice suggests that broadcast control rooms and other monitor-heavy environments should be dim light.
However I agree it's uncomfortable and I suspect it's a personal preference. So we will probably just allow staff to control lighting levels themselves, rather than mandate them.
I am the OP.
We need to be mindful of lighting types, given the 24x7 operation running costs as well as the requirement for UPS and generator backup.
We're steering towards LED or dimmable fluorescent for ambient lighting, with specific task-lights above each workstation.
We've considered the different lighting scenes for daytime, night shifts etc. Will probably end up giving the staff control over lighting and let them fight amongst themselves.
Bathroom is within the bunker and very close.
Toilet paper is a great idea. Thank you.
Management want the Three Seashells...
I am the OP.
Thank you. We were already considering Aerons (which is my chair of choice) so your comment has helped reinforce this.
As Aerons come in multiple sizes, we are getting a variety of them to suit people of different build. However it's hard to predict what these will be in the future. Do your colleagues choose their 'own' chair? Or are they unaware of the size difference and simply share them all.
I am the OP.
We considered a 'pod' approach, however all the desks will need to face a videowall, so it will tend to be more of a 'classroom' layout, with something of a curve in it.
All monitors can be linked to the videowall, so (if you'll excuse the NCIS reference - I love that show) anyone can 'put it on the bigscreen'.
We're evaluating Hiperwall for controlling this. It's really cool and will avoid some of the White Elephants referred to in other comments here, a few years from now.
We will provide food, snacks etc. However we're mindful that it's a fairly sedentary job so I have to watch out for staff sitting around all day eating cheesy-poofs.
I am the OP.
There is a 'breakout area' and kitchenette within the bunker, albeit in a separate room. Food prep, water cooler and coffee machine(s) are there. As well as the reasons you state, it will also help the staff separate work from food/relaxation areas.
No food or uncovered drinks will be allowed in the operational areas (coffee with a spillproof lid is fine).
All equipment is suitably above the floor that if a flood occurs, the worst impact will be wet feet, not wet equipment.
Spoken like a true Arab Minister for Propaganda.
Step 1: Blame Israelis.
Step 2: Clamp down on your own citizens.
Step 3: Repeat.
I need thicker tinfoil.
Dubai's police chief says concern over espionage (specifically, by the US and Israel) led to the decision to limit BlackBerry services.
Well of course he would say that. Despotic Arab regimes have always used the US and Israel as an excuse for their own totalitarianism and oppression of minorities.
The article details the real reason, as if it wasn't obvious:
Tamim told a conference on information technology that the proposed BlackBerry curbs are also "meant to control false rumors and defamation of public figures due to the absence of surveillance,"
Translation: It promotes freedom of expression, and limits the government's ability to control its people, which frightens the shit out of Arab dictators.
This is the post which is just as worthless as those which preceded it, yet which somehow gets modded up to the utter annoyance of earlier posters.
Naggers?
Sweet. Only 23424123465123460897987123487990712349870 hours remaining.
It's a breath mint.
I don't think Bruce Schneier is evil.
However when it comes to physical security (as opposed to IT or crypto) in many cases he's just wrong.
I'm no fan of the American approach to aviation security (as opposed to the Israeli approach) however Schneier should stick to what he knows. In the past he's railed against the few techniques which really work, simply because of his political views. For example, the question of profiling. Yes, when done badly, it's stupid. When done well however it is more effective than any technology-only solution. e.g. making harmless non-Muslim grandmothers take off their shoes to be X-rayed.
How hard is it for phone manufacturers to make a handset with a Really Freakin' Loud speakerphone?
When I am not in my own car (with a car-kit) I use the iPhone's built-in speaker and it sucks badly. I end up holding the phone an inch from my ear and might as well just be using it normally.
Why don't they just spend a couple o' grand on porno.
I remember my formative years spent in the school library, searching the dictionary for all the rude words. While I was there, I noticed some other books as well.
I'd love to get into a detailed argument with you, but my comment was modded flamebait in a single mouse-click by someone too lazy to come up with a more substantial reply involving, you know, words.
Dig the Digg generation.