Users

• How many users are there?
• What "type" of users are they?
• How much computer knowledge do the users have (or think they have)?
• What are they doing?

Having to look after machines for 2000 users is a touch more difficult than looking after a machine with 2 (in some cases).

The level of the user's expertise can effect how much work a Systems Administrator will have to perform. This factor is a combination of the user's actual expertise and their perceived expertise. A user who thinks they know a lot (but doesn't really) can often be more trouble than a user who knows nothing and admits it.

What are the users trying to do? If the users are scientists doing research on ground breaking network technology it is going to be harder to maintain their machines. If you work for a Wall Street financial institution the emphasis on security will be greater than if you are managing a student computer at a University.

Are the users responsible or irresponsible? Do the users follow the rules or do they make their own? Do the users like to play with the machines? Managing a machine used by hundreds of University computing students is much more difficult than managing one used by professionals.