recovery/restart  procedures,  and  sample  reports.  As  the console   operator,   you   are   responsible   for   running hundreds, possibly even thousands, of jobs on a regular basis.  Without  using  the  available  documentation,  even an   experienced   operator   cannot   understand   or   be expected to remember exactly how each job is to be set up and run. The actual format of the operator’s documentation differs, depending on your installation’s requirements and SOPS. In some installations, you will find that each procedure or job has its own folder or notebook. Other installations  may  include  an  entire  system  (several jobs),   such   as   personnel   or   payroll,   in   one   large notebook.  Regardless  of  how  the  documentation  is formatted, its basic objectives are to provide you with complete  instructions  and  to  serve  as  a  ready  reference. So take the time to read the documentation. You will find that from knowledge comes the wisdom to make the right choice or the right decision every time. SHIFT OPERATIONS As you have probably realized by now, you have the prime  responsibility  for  keeping  the  computer  in  an operational state. That is, you are responsible for the continuous  and  efficient  processing  of  all  types  of program applications. Knowing this, it is essential that you  acquaint  yourself  with  the  status  of  the  system before working on the shift, whether it be on the day shift, eve shift, or mid shift. Before you assume control of the shift, you should be aware of its operational state. Normally,   this   information   is   obtained   from   the operators  currently  on  duty,  the  shift  supervisor,  the various   computer   logs   and   run   schedules,   and   by monitoring  the  activities  of  the  system.  In  essence,  you must examine those indicators that can reveal possible trouble spots or system malfunctions. For example, ask, what  maintenance  activities  were  accomplished,  if  any, on   the   previous   shift(s)?   what   devices   (pieces   of equipment)  have  been  varied  offline  (those  devices which are not available to the CPU)? what other devices have  not  been  fully  operable?  what  maintenance activities, if any, are scheduled during your shift? and are  any  applications  scheduled  that  are  normally troublesome, difficult to handle, or prone to producing errors?  Then  ask  about  the  work  to  be  done  on  your shift,  what  jobs  are  scheduled  to  be  run?  are  all  the tapes,  disks,  documentation,  and  other  various  media and supplies present and accounted for? if not, have the appropriate   personnel   or   organizations   been notified-the  librarian,  data  entry,  or  scheduling—to rectify the problem? This is important, for it ensures you that the next job to be processed will be input to the computer  system  with  minimum  or  no  delay.  In determining all these factors, you get a feel for what’s going on and what is to take place during the upcoming shift—your  shift. In  a  production  environment,  personnel  sometimes get too busy to finish a job or job step. Take that little extra time to stay organized, especially when it comes to the paperwork. Keep in mind and help other personnel understand the importance of being organized, and the problems that come from having too many things going on at one time. A misfiled or mislabeled tape can, at best, mean lost time either in locating it or recreating it. At worst, it can mean lost data and an unrecoverable problem. You will find that most AIS installations overlap each of the shifts from 15 to 30 minutes. This allows you  sufficient  time  to  get  acquainted  with  the  jobs currently  being  run  and  provides  continuity  between shifts  and  operators. Throughout this section, we have tried to make one point clear: you must learn to react quickly to situations that   may   affect   the   processing   capabilities   of   the computer  system.  To  accomplish  this  task,  you  must have a working knowledge of the operational aspects of your job. That is, you must understand what procedures to  follow  when  specific  errors  arise,  know  where  the operations manuals are kept and how to use them, know where  the  supplies  to  process  jobs  are  stored  (computer ribbons,  paper,  tape  reflectors,  and  so  on),  who  to contact in the event of equipment or program failures and  errors,  and  what  forms  are  used  and  for  what purpose. Having a general knowledge of what to do is particularly  important  to  you  as  a  new  operator  just reporting aboard. You must adjust yourself to this new environment  and  learn  where  things  are  located  as  well as what should be done. Regardless of the system you are working on, you must know how to use all the available resources, which include  hardware,  software,  and  people.  Operators  who are alert to the requirements of the total system and are able to understand and use the available resources play a vital  role  in  the  overall  efficiency  of  the  system,  the department,  and  the  installation.  It  is  your  performance as a computer operator that often determines the general attitude of users toward your installation. In developing a proper attitude toward your work, adhere to a code of ethics. 2-7