Too Much Beeping
Summary: But maybe I’m wrong and the printer manufacturers have done all kinds of studies and discovered that only a sharp, alarming beep will do. I hate to think that’s the case.
Something that drives Doc crazy is the amount of sounds emanating from some multi-function printing devices. We have one such machine (the brand shall remain nameless) in Doc’s office that beeps so much it drives the nearby office workers crazy. Leave an original on the glass? Beep. beep, beep. Out of paper or toner? Beep, beep, beep. Paper jam? Beep, beep beep. Job completed? Beep, beep beep.
And we’re not talking a pleasant tone here, we’re talking the kind of annoying ring that usually signals your burrito is done in the microwave, or you’ve just entered your local 7/11. Doc believes these little annoyances are what contribute to job stress, and they are certainly distracting.
Of course, there has to be some way to indicate that something is wrong or to serve as a gentle reminder that you forgot your original. But I would think the sounds could be a lot more pleasant and less jarring. But maybe I’m wrong and the printer manufacturers have done all kinds of studies and discovered that only a sharp, alarming beep will do. I hate to think that’s the case.
If you are a machine designer and know about these things, then explain to Doc why a simple and pleasant harmonious tone (like when you start up your computer) won’t do the job. Do we really have to beep, beep, beep? It’s enough to drive an office worker to distraction.
More from “The DocuMentor”
Topics
Biography
Doc
ZDNet introduces Doc (The DocuMentor), sponsored by RICOH. Through his blog, Doc will educate you about Document Management. So who is Doc? Doc is something of an enigma. He was born to a Russian ballerina and a German electrical engineer who some believe was running covert operations for shadowy corporate interests. Doc grew up in various locations in the United States, although no one seems to know precisely where, least of all Doc. His early schooling was unremarkable except for the time he was caught trying to replace all the mimeograph machines with high-tech color copiers that had mysteriously disappeared from a shipment to Albania. At MIT, he made a name for himself by transforming a large printer into a robot that hunts and eats Roombas. Professionally, he reportedly has seen the insides of more brands, versions, and generations of printer and printer-related hardware than almost anyone. Some say his obsession with paper, printing, and mechanical movement was either started by, or evidenced by, a traumatic childhood episode when he crawled inside an old Xerox 2400 and tried to print himself.
Anyway, Doc has hands on experience with stuff like printer maintenance and fleet management, but his mastery of document management leaves no stone unturned. Important issues like sustainability, security, and regulatory compliance are top of mind for Doc, as are other business technology needs like networking and IT services, making him a true blue IT renaissance man.
Just In
Great advice. Next time I see our copier technician, I'll be sure to ask him to turn down the volume. A simple solution ??? thanks.
Join the conversation!
Quick Poll
Which imaging and document management trends are you most likely to consider?
Related Links
- New White paper: Managed Print Services and Beyond: How You Can Cut Costs and Go Green While Increasing Employee Productivity
- Learn how document management systems can help reduce the tide of paper that is swamping our offices
- Use software to cut costs by scrapping paper
- My printer, my social letterbox
- Doc on Twitter
- Doc on Facebook
- Doc on LinkedIn
Vendor Showcase
Blog Archive
White Papers, Webcasts, & Resources
- How to get the most out of VirtualizationVirtualization can enable organizations to create more agile IT services ... (Hewlett-Packard (HP))Download Now
- The Business Value of Adopting Advanced Support Tools and UtilitiesWhat are the difficulties associated with supporting advanced technology ... (Hewlett-Packard (HP))Download Now
- The Best Ways to Migrate Lotus Notes Applications to SharePoint and Office 365Migrating Notes to SharePoint Online/Microsoft Office ... (Quest Software)Download Now
