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Office setup checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you’ve set up your office – and yourself – for maximum comfort and efficiency.

 

Buying and setting up the computer

• Devote as much attention to the quality of your computer’s mouse, keyboard and monitor as you do to its processor. These are the components with which you’ll interact for hours each day.
• Get yourself a power board with inbuilt surge protection and modem protection. If you need to connect plug packs (which come with many computer peripherals) to a power protection strip, look for a strip that comes with widely spaced sockets, such as the Belkin SurgeMaster II.
• Fill in all hardware warranty and software registration cards and post them.
• Read the manual, or at least any quick start or installation guide.
• Don’t force plugs into sockets.
• When installing software, follow the installation instructions in the printed manual and displayed onscreen. When in doubt, accept any default (standard) settings suggested by the installation program.

The environment

• Place the computer in a room with good diffuse sunlight or artificial lighting. Avoid direct sunlight on or behind the screen.
• Ensure the room temperature is comfortable.
• Turn your computer off and disconnect if from the wall power outlet during thunderstorms, unless your office has lightning suppression installed.
• Disconnect your modem from the power supply and phone lines during thunderstorms.

Installing yourself

• Make sure your chair is comfortable and adjustable if a number of people will be using the computer.
• Spread out if possible. Give yourself plenty of room and avoid jamming keyboard, monitor, mouse and other components into a small space.
• Position your screen between 51 and 66 centimetres (20-26 inches) from your eyes.
• Avoid glare on the screen.
• Sit at a height so your arms are parallel to the floor when using the keyboard.
• Sit so your eyes are just a little lower than the top edge of the screen.
• Don’t let yourself get cold. This will aggravate any strain you experience from long periods of computer use.
• Take regular rest breaks for both your arms and your eyes. Para Technologies has a wonderful program called Rest Break Pro that will not only remind you to relax but also show you some great in-chair exercises to help you get the most from your breaks. If you don’t want to spend money on such a program, look for some freeware alternatives at Downloads.com by searching for the keywords rest break.

© 2005  Rose Vines