Use of electronic equipment

The electronic communications dated November 28, 2006 and that dated December 4, 2006 sent to the academic and non-academic staff of the Junior College by the office of the principal are offensive and unethical and should be withdrawn.

The communication of November 28 implicitly accuses the staff of the Junior College of vandalism on the tower computers in the Senior Common Room. As a user of this facility I can assure readers that this accusation is totally absurd. This facility is used by responsible and mature individuals who do not deserve to be threatened with the removal of this facility on grounds of vandalism.

Bad planning, lack of professionalism and lack of common sense and proficiency is the root of all evil.

The damage sustained by the computer towers was accidental and unintentional. The computer towers in question were placed on the floor beneath the desks, inevitably restricting all the ergonomic concepts including foot movement. The computers were exposed to obvious accidental and unintentional risks.

In addition, the furniture and layout for the equipment was not compatible with a computer-friendly environment. The two desks used to accommodate the tower computers were designed for an international conference (CHOGM) held in Malta and not to accommodate computers at the Junior College.

Only recently the Junior College administration realised that the position of the computer towers was the cause of the problem. So they moved the computer towers from beneath the desks and placed them outside the desks. Well done! This was a great job done by the stalwarts of the Junior College. But putting this equipment on the floor exposes them to water and other humid or accidental liquid spillages.

More has to be done for the sake of the safety of these computer towers.

I now refer to the e-mail dated December 4. This communication accused both academic and non-academic staff of blocking the telephone lines by the use of internet facilities. This again is a short-sighted and irresponsible statement to make.

Out of more than 400 employees working at the Junior College, no more than 20 have the services of internet available in their offices. These are the subject coordinators and those in the office of the principal. The office of the principal has all the details of these officials including information about the telephone bills incurred by them. So why should the office of the principal give the impression that any of the academic and non-academic staff may be abusing the telephone services available at the Junior College?

As member of the Junior College staff I do expect an explanation in relation to such a treatment.

As for the computer towers, I suggest that these be furnished with a small platform or some kind of stands so that they are prevented from direct contact with the ground floor of the Senior Common Room. This may be done as a gift for this Christmas and would be much better than accusing innocent, responsible and mature beings of crimes they never committed.