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Systems on upgrade target
The Force-wide upgrading of Common Terminals should be completed by November bringing more powerful and reliable workstations.
The upgrade includes the implementation of the Chinese Windows NT Workstation 4.0 format and the replacement of Common Terminals with Pentium II 400 workstations which have the processing power to run the new programme.
A powerful anti-virus programme is also being installed and the existing 36-centimetre monitors are being replaced with larger colour models.
The full-scale implementation started June 21 and about 1,230 systems have converted to Windows NT in Kowloon West, New Territories South and Kowloon East Regions. The remaining 1,286 in the other three Regions will be completed by November.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Information Systems) Peter Halliday said the improvements would drastically minimise system hang-up, and tests in January showed significant improvements to stability when a Communal Information System was used as the application for trying the new common terminal under the Windows NT platform.
"Front-line officers are relying on computers more and more to accomplish their daily work, however, the current operating system, Chinese Windows 3.1, has its limitations in memory and applications running on it experience frequent occurrences of system hang-up," Mr Halliday said.
"After a feasibility study the Force decided to upgrade all Common Terminals with the more stable, reliable and secure Windows NT system." Mr Halliday said there would be no changes to the application of systems under Windows NT as the look and feel was the same as Windows 3.1.
However a slight difference would be noticed in the Common Terminal Access logon screen, which involves a slight change under the Windows environment.
A computer-based training programme has been developed to help users understand the differences under the new platform, and will be installed into each Common Terminal.
"By using Common Terminals on the Windows NT platform, the productivity of officers is expected to be improved because up to five applications can be evoked at the same time. Users will be able to switch between the five applications as they wish and will find their tasks on the Common Terminals much easier to accomplish than before," Mr Halliday said.
Anti-virus programmes will help to free-up systems by protecting files and preventing infection.
Along with the introduction of larger monitors, slim LCD screens will replace existing monitors on report room workbenches to free-up desk space.
"Moreover, users will find it much easier to input Chinese characters with the new version of GOGO PEN on the Windows NT platform, as the new version allows users to input hand-written characters full-screen rather than in a limited input area like under Windows 3.1," Mr Halliday added.