Computer operatorsComputer operators oversee the operation of computer hardware systems, ensuring that these machines are used as efficiently as possible. They may work with mainframes, minicomputers, or networks of personal computers. Computer operators must anticipate problems and take preventive action, as well as solve problems that occur during operations. The duties of computer operators vary with the size of the installation, the type of equipment used, and the policies of the employer. Generally, operators control the console of either a mainframe digital computer or a group of minicomputers. Working from operating instructions prepared by programmers, users, or operations managers, computer operators set controls on the computer and on peripheral devices required to run a particular job. Computer operators load equipment with tapes, disks, and paper, as needed. While the computer is running—which may be 24 hours a day for large computers—computer operators monitor the control console and respond to operating and computer messages. Messages indicate the individual specifications of each job being run. If an error message occurs, operators must locate and solve the problem or terminate the program. Operators also maintain logbooks or operating records, listing each job that is run and events, such as machine malfunctions, that occur during their shift. In addition, computer operators may help programmers and systems analysts test and debug new programs. (See the statements on computer programmers; and computer systems analysts, database administrators, and computer scientists elsewhere in the Handbook.) As the trend toward networking computers accelerates, a growing number of computer operators are working on personal computers (PCs) and minicomputers. In many offices, factories, and other work settings, PCs and minicomputers are connected in networks, often referred to as local area networks (LANs) or multi-user systems. Whereas users in the area operate some of these computers, many require the services of full-time operators. The tasks performed on PCs and minicomputers are very similar to those performed on large computers. As organizations continue to look for opportunities to increase productivity, automation is expanding into additional areas of computer operations. Sophisticated software, coupled with robotics, enables a computer to perform many routine tasks formerly done by computer operators. Scheduling, loading and downloading programs, mounting tapes, rerouting messages, and running periodic reports can be done without the intervention of an operator. Consequently, these improvements will change what computer operators do in the future. As technology advances, the responsibilities of many computer operators are shifting to areas such as network operations, user support, and database maintenance. Related news articles Jobs on jail campus - Oct 15, 2006 Mumbai Mirror,The company has offered to recruit 50 prisoners a year for posts like supervisor, computer operator, driver, helper, cleaner, painter and officer, sources in ... Beeldschermwerker tijdig KAPPEN EN KIEKEN!! - Oct 13, 2006 Blog.nl,...facilitate their natural gaze. Bartuccio said a monitor should be 20 to 25 degrees below a computer operator's line of sight. ''If it is ... More Taunton cops to hit the beat - Oct 11, 2006 Brockton Enterprise,Nunes said he has also negotiated an agreement with the police union that will allow him to hire a civilian computer operator, replacing the patrolman that has ... Unlike its remake or prequel, the original 'Chain Saw' had a ... - Oct 12, 2006 Wilmington Morning Star,A former computer operator and bar bouncer at the time Chain Saw was filmed, Hansen has done the occasional low-budget horror epic. ... 2 held for duping BMC of Rs 36 lakh - Oct 11, 2006 Mumbai Newsline,...“Acting on instructions from his bosses, a computer operator in Deepak Exports Arun Salve, bribed an octroi agent at Mulund checknaka and secured a bogus N ... Stay-at-home moms get more respect - Sep 30, 2006 Daily News - Galveston County,The jobs included housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, CEO and ... Heeding a call to help farmers - Oct 1, 2006 Philadelphia Inquirer,..."We buy a lot of food from local places in addition to the grocery store," said Greg, a computer operator with McGraw Hill, who took his wife to a Farm Aid ... Political thoughts at a political time - Oct 8, 2006 Lynchburg News and Advance,Although I do have a family member in the “oil bidness,�? as they say in Texas (my son Jeremy is a computer operator at a tank farm in Denver), I lay no ... Curry points a boon for many - Oct 3, 2006 Newindpress (subscription),It’s like enjoying the best of both worlds,�?said insurance official Srinivasa Rao and his computer operator-wife Satyavathi of Kedareswarapet. ... Cindy Lange-Kubick: Lincoln man buys his dream house - Oct 8, 2006 Lincoln Journal Star,Five minutes after the couple left, the phone rang. The 28-year-old computer operator knocked on the door the next morning, Jodi said. ... Spyware snares unsuspecting Web sites, visitors - Sep 25, 2006 Fort Wayne Journal Gazette,In some cases, spyware is used by unethical companies to replace entire Web sites of rival firms whenever these sites are visited by a computer operator. ... Police porn training - Sep 15, 2006 PR Inside (Pressemitteilung),He said: "It was just bad luck that the virus activated right then." The computer operator stopped and restarted the video several times. ... Mining Matrimonial E-Data - Sep 27, 2006 Law.com (subscription),...with memory capabilities. The information stems from usage, whether explicitly "saved" by the computer operator or not. It can later ... A robot that has to be seen to be believed - Sep 19, 2006 Kitsap Sun (Subscription),Another project involving "haptics" uses magnetic levitation, among other techniques, to give the computer operator an interactive sense of touch. ... Overcrowding: Admn for independent registration for specialities ... - Sep 25, 2006 Chandigarh Newsline,...mediapersons today, UT Home-cum-Health Secretary Krishna Mohan said the OPDs will be provided with independent cabin with computer operator, computer/printer ... Profile of a newsmaker: Ledyard woman tapped to be veterans group ... - Sep 21, 2006 Norwich Bulletin,Background:Weiner, originally from Ware, Mass., served in the Navy from 1952 to 1955, leaving the service as a seaman, computer operator. ... Effort to halt spread of payday loan stores fails - 16 Oct 2006 AZ Central.com,...floor, lips pressed tight. Mitzi Pearce, a 53-year-old computer operator, groaned as she sat in the audience. Councilman Tom Rawles ... Jobs on jail campus - Oct 15, 2006 Mumbai Mirror,The company has offered to recruit 50 prisoners a year for posts like supervisor, computer operator, driver, helper, cleaner, painter and officer, sources in ... Beeldschermwerker tijdig KAPPEN EN KIEKEN!! - Oct 13, 2006 Blog.nl,...facilitate their natural gaze. Bartuccio said a monitor should be 20 to 25 degrees below a computer operator's line of sight. ''If it is ... More Taunton cops to hit the beat - Oct 11, 2006 Brockton Enterprise,Nunes said he has also negotiated an agreement with the police union that will allow him to hire a civilian computer operator, replacing the patrolman that has ... Unlike its remake or prequel, the original 'Chain Saw' had a ... - Oct 12, 2006 Wilmington Morning Star,A former computer operator and bar bouncer at the time Chain Saw was filmed, Hansen has done the occasional low-budget horror epic. ... 2 held for duping BMC of Rs 36 lakh - Oct 11, 2006 Mumbai Newsline,...“Acting on instructions from his bosses, a computer operator in Deepak Exports Arun Salve, bribed an octroi agent at Mulund checknaka and secured a bogus N ... Stay-at-home moms get more respect - Sep 30, 2006 Daily News - Galveston County,The jobs included housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, CEO and ... Heeding a call to help farmers - Oct 1, 2006 Philadelphia Inquirer,..."We buy a lot of food from local places in addition to the grocery store," said Greg, a computer operator with McGraw Hill, who took his wife to a Farm Aid ... Political thoughts at a political time - Oct 8, 2006 Lynchburg News and Advance,Although I do have a family member in the “oil bidness,�? as they say in Texas (my son Jeremy is a computer operator at a tank farm in Denver), I lay no ... Curry points a boon for many - Oct 3, 2006 Newindpress (subscription),It’s like enjoying the best of both worlds,�?said insurance official Srinivasa Rao and his computer operator-wife Satyavathi of Kedareswarapet. ... Cindy Lange-Kubick: Lincoln man buys his dream house - Oct 8, 2006 Lincoln Journal Star,Five minutes after the couple left, the phone rang. The 28-year-old computer operator knocked on the door the next morning, Jodi said. ... 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Overcrowding: Admn for independent registration for specialities ... - Sep 25, 2006 Chandigarh Newsline,...mediapersons today, UT Home-cum-Health Secretary Krishna Mohan said the OPDs will be provided with independent cabin with computer operator, computer/printer ... Profile of a newsmaker: Ledyard woman tapped to be veterans group ... - Sep 21, 2006 Norwich Bulletin,Background:Weiner, originally from Ware, Mass., served in the Navy from 1952 to 1955, leaving the service as a seaman, computer operator. ... More information on Computer operators from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Computer operators occupation Number of Computer operators in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Computer operators Working conditions for Computer operators Significant points for Computer operators Training requirements for Computer operators Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |