Help improve my computer lab

[dlieu]

I was asked by my professor if there was any ideas I had to improve usage of the computer labs. Fyi I'm at Ryerson CS; I've asked others and come up with a few ideas such as better chairs, maybe a round table for group study, extra monitors for laptop users.

If anyone is willing to share some ideas on improving usage of the computer labs I would greatly appreciate it.

[Raknarg]

It can be expensive, but good ventilation is a must. I have been in computer labs with bad ventilation before, and it is a terrible experience. Its probably not a problem there, but just making sure

[vahnx]

Most people I know can't stand using more than a single monitor, they can only single task. However chairs are pretty important. You'd want a computer user to be at their most comfort. Make sure to have tables with rounded corners, and get mouse pads with armrests. Ergonomics.

Also try to reduce glare for glossy laptops/screens by maybe re-arranging what you must to aim the sunlight away from the machines/laptop area.

[SNIPERDUDE]

vahnx @ July 24th 2012, 12:29 pm wrote:

Ergonomics.

I can't stress this enough.

[DemonWasp]

Noise dampening: with 30+ machines and a bunch of noisy students there, a computer lab can be very noisy, making it difficult to use for actual intellectual activity (rather than gaming and facebooking). Add some subdivisions (like cubicle walls) every few desks and you'll cut way down on the noise; these can also create logical "group work" areas. Add carpet or other sound-absorbing flooring.

Ergonomics: allow enough room for people who are taller than 5'8" while letting keyboards move forward for people shorter than 5'6". Adjustable monitor height is also a great choice (though admittedly probably only available by default on expensive screens). Don't waste time, money and space on keyboard trays.

Lighting: computer labs are generally fairly well-lit, but suffer from unnatural, flickering florescent lighting. I don't know the solution to that, but I do know that I find it much more pleasant to be at home, under CFL lamps than at UW's labs under florescent tube lamps.

[mirhagk]

I agree with the noise dampening. Make sure the subdividers have Styrofoam, or are mesh or something so that they absorb the sound. An ideal computer lab would be able to remove the majority of the noise, making it so that people can only hear someone directly next to them. Games all have chat in them, and otherwise their's first class or something to do all your chatting. The only talking that should be going on is to someone right next to you, helping you with something on your machine, or looking at it etc.