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Introduction to computing at UWE
The University of the West of England provides via IT Services a number of computing facilities including
a 24-hour PC lab, the IT Support Centre, a student portal, a printing system, a residential network
service, wireless connections, a virtual learning environment, access to e-mail and the Internet, and
many other services to support the IT infrastructure for students and staff of the University.
Faculties also provide Computing labs with specialised software that is specific to the faculty.
All PCs run Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2007.
For more information on the location of the 24-hour PC lab, printing facilities, the IT Support Centre
and the other services, please see the relevant sections in this booklet and also visit the IT Services Web
Pages: www.uwe.ac.uk/its
2 Policies and regulations
All students and staff need to read and abide to the IT policies and regulations which you can find on
the ITS Web Pages www.uwe.ac.uk/its/corporate/ourpolicies/index.shtml. Policies are important as
they define what you can or cannot do for the benefit and the protection of systems but also individual
users.
For this reason, students should pay particular attention to The Acceptable Use Policy for students:
www.uwe.ac.uk/its/corporate/ourpolicies/studentaup.shtml
3 Tips on using a computer comfortably
Here are some tips to help you to use a computer comfortably:
· Adjust the chair height so that your elbows are roughly the same height as your keyboard.
· Adjust the back rest height so that it supports the lower back.
· Sit back in your chair and use the backrest to support your back.
· Sit square on to the screen and the keyboard.
· Sit as close to the desk as possible.
· Position the keyboard so there is a small space in front of it where you can rest your hands when not
typing.
· Use a soft touch when typing, varying the fingers you use if you are not a touch typist.
· Place the mouse as close to the side of the keyboard as possible.
· Use a light touch when using the mouse, supporting your forearm on the desk.
· Reduce your dependency on mouse inputs using keyboard equivalents and shortcuts.
· Vary your sitting position periodically and occasionally lean back and relax, focusing your eyes away
from the screen.
· Take breaks away from the computer, particularly if you begin to experience any discomfort.
· If you are using a laptop computer for long periods of time, angle the screen so it can be seen clearly
with minimal reflections, and use it on a firm surface at a suitable height for keying.
· If you see anything in a PC lab that you think is unsafe please report it to the IT Support Centre or
the Faculty that provides the lab.
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