New Monitor Becomes Big Brother
Published by Momma Tells on May 10, 2009 in OpinionsArticle Tools
-
8
Liked it 
Subscribe to RSS
Add “watching” to the list of things a computer can do.
Oh (Big) Brother!
Many companies already use software that tracks employee’s visits to websites, how many times they click the mouse, what is being clicked on, how many e-mails are from friends, what those emails contain, records Instant Messenger conversations, and even compares who saves the most work (and thus is the “most productive.”) If you don’t believe me, check out spy software called Spector Pro.
In April, a Japanese company, the Eizo Nanao Corporation, went a step farther, and introduced a new monitor that…well…uh…monitors you, not just what you do. It works like a motion detector, keeping track of when you are away from the monitor. So, if no one is in front of the monitor, it ”sleeps” until a body is back at work again. And it can tell the difference between animate, and inanimate objects. The Eizo Nanao Corporation call this “EcoView Sense” because it saves energy by going to “sleep” when no one is there, and it is more convenient because it automatically turns back on when someone comes back. The new monitors are called the FlexScan® EV2303W and EV2023W.
So, beware, you long-break-takers, or you gotta-go-alot people…you’re being watched!
This monitor reminds me of the book 1984 by George Owell, where the main character is scrutinized and chided by the government (Big Brother) via the Telescreen. Thankfully, the new EcoView Sense Monitors don’t scold (yet). I can imagine ducking into my office chair, late for work, my head down…all the while being reprimanded by my monitor.
13 Comments
Welcome to the future.
Is there any privacy left? I have to admit, I do use the computer at work to check on my Triond friends:) Thanks for the information.
I believe that if a employer is honest, they’ll have nothing to worry about.
oh im guilty of slacking at work but thats only because my job is a bit boring. i hope my boss doesnt read this hehehe. but honestly, i think its a good idea in workplace to ensure that everyone is productive.
Wow, I didn’t know such a thing existed! Great article
oh how i wish i can have that new monitor. my pc is open the whole day and there are times i will take a break for a couple of hours.
I have heard a little bit about this before. Nice write up !
Great write-up. It’s a bit scary, isn’t it, how technology can be used.
I hope surveillence systems in the real world never get as invasive as Big Brother! I think that monitoring employees is a good idea – they should be accountable for what they do on company time on company computers. As long as they stay out of our homes.
From the fictional “Big Brother is watching you” we have come to a much closer and uglier reality!
-manya
That should do it for slackers who don’t carry their load and somebody else has to do their work. I have seen plenty of them.
Very interesting article, when I was working for a bank , doing some backend processing,,we had fun and were totally at ease, although we knew that we were closely monitered,
Had to laugh about this one. People have already found that they want to be careful about leaving their webcams on. Makes me glad my computer has its own room.