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Information Technology News Computer Rage Technology is supposed to be our friend The costs of machine or software failure Frustration with IT is a modern malaise Technology is supposed to be our friend Technology is supposed to be our friend: it is meant to improve our lives, make things easier for us and assist us in doing many complicated things quicker and all at once. "How did we ever do 'this' before our ever-helpful technological device was invented?" is what we supposedly all ask ourselves whilst shaking our heads in wonderment. However, according to new research there is a fine line between using PCs and software devices that is often slipped off to violent effect. A recent survey conducted by Massachusetts-based Concord Communications showed that 83 percent of 150 respondents from the US have witnessed physical attacks upon computer equipment as a result of a growing trend. Another investigation by Symantec Corp., which worked with the UK's National Opinion Poll organisation, discovered that over 40% of British PC users have sworn at, kicked and physically abused their computer equipment. The London-based international research company MORI completed a survey, aptly named Rage Against The Machine, which showed how 40% of 1,250 UK workers surveyed have witnessed colleagues abusing their computer machinery both physically and verbally. The same results also indicate that almost half of all those who work with computers suffer from frustration or stress because of IT difficulties. According to the MORI poll it's not just the machine itself that causes such an extreme reaction, as aggravation can also be aroused by the time taken to fix a problem and the jargon sometimes used by the support personnel. Crashing software and un-cooperative mice are also triggers for bouts of computer rage. Pulling cables out to cause the system to crash is apparently a popular method for taking revenge upon a troublesome machine. The costs of machine or software failure The costs of machine or software failure are expensive to say the least. The Confederation of British Industry claims that £25,000 per person per year is the price of one hour lost everyday at work. But when it comes to having these problems fixed, a massive 75% of those questioned said their IT support staff were unable to fix the problem. Over a fifth experience the same problem again as the symptom was dealt with, but not the root cause. According to MORI's statistics, one in eight people have seen staff from the IT department being bullied by office workers after their technology crashes. The real issue here, of course, is stress caused as a result of technological failure. MORI's poll claims that almost one in five people within the manufacturing industry say they feel stupid as a result of their computer problems. A third of people who suffer regular computer crashes have to work late or take work home as a result, which will probably lead to higher stress levels and is not healthy for the individual's morale. Frustration with IT is a modern malaise "Frustration with IT should be taken seriously as a modern malaise," says Robert Edelmann, a clinical psychologist and author of Interpersonal Conflicts at Work. "It is affecting both our work and our home lives to the extent that computer rage is now much more prolific than road rage." More than half of all working days lost to sickness in the UK relate to workplace stress. PC manufacturer Compaq says that many IT problems are easy to fix. Around half of all calls to its help line, for example, are from individuals who have forgotten their password and are locked out of their machines. As well as choosing a more memorable password, using good quality reliable equipment, insisting upon a high standard of cabling for your office network, using reliable methods of backing up data, deleting unused files to keep your system clear and keeping your virus checking software up-to-date will all help to minimize computer failures and keep your staff happier. Full and proper PC training is another simple premise that is very often overlooked by companies, but one that can de-mystify and simplify the whole computing process and maintain harmony in the long run. March 2002 Writer: Mario Cacciottolo © Copyright 2001. Galt Western Personnel Ltd. Unless otherwise specified, you may reprint this article, quote from it, use it in research or projects, duplicate it or distribute it. Credit of authorship and source MUST be given to galtglobalreview.com. Ownership of Copyright remains with Galt Western Personnel Ltd.     Return to Top      Business News / Business Roundup - Australia / Canada / Europe / United States / Careers / Classified / Information Technology / New Technology / Education News / World Facts / Book Reviews / Archives/Research