Importance Of Computer Hardware And Software For Businesses And Health Risks And Preventive Measures For Computer Users

Task 1

Computers are used almost in every aspect of present scenario to make them easy to use for the society as well as the businesses. A computer works with the help of a number of components and programs which are known as tools of computers. Such tools are mainly divided into two parts Hardware and Software (Shaqiri, 2015). This report describes the use of Hardware and Software in the computer system along with the describing the difference between system and application software. The importance of software for the businesses is also being described with the proper use of pictures and diagrams. Further, the report includes some health injuries and issues which can be faced by the users by using the computer system in an irresponsible and excess manner.

Use of computer hardware and computer software:

There are various hardware tools that are used in different ways while working on a computer. Some of the most important tools and their uses are as follows:

The mouse is a pointing device which is useful to control the instruction given by the user. It is used to move the cursor on the monitor screen.

The user gets information in visual form with the help of monitor screen as it displays the input and output data visually.

This is an input hardware device which is used to enter information in form of letters, alphabets, and symbols.

It controls the automatic electrical changes which can damage the internal components and system software of the computer.

(Anon., 2017)

It is also known as the brain of the computer and coordinate all the activities and functions of a computer system. The CPU performs all arithmetic and logical decisions and performs billions of operations per second (Manikandeshwar, 2015).

Computer software can be defined as a programming code which is executed on a computer processor. The code can be written in machine level or assembly language. There are mainly two types of software named and system software and application software (Quang, et al., 2016).

Benefits of Application Software for the business are as follows:

1. Such software is developed to meet the exact requirement of the user.
2. Application software is easy to use as each software is related to the single program only that the user does not get confused while dealing with such software.
3. The threat of virus is almost negligible in application software as the business which incorporates it can restrict the use and can use the network security for the same.
4. Such software can be updated as per the new technological advancements and the increasing and decreasing business needs.
5. The security level in such software in very high as each application software is used by a single user only and not by the multiple users. Thus, the chances of loss of data decreases which provides high security for the data and information secured in the software (Nikoloski, 2014).

The computer is a widely used the tool in many different activities and jobs. But using computers for a very long time can increase chances for serious health injuries. Some main injuries and ways to prevent those injuries can be described as below:

Neck and back pain, shoulder and arm pain, headaches are some common computer-related health problems. Such joint or muscle problems can be caused by the poor arrangement of workstations. Although it takes fewer efforts to sit rather than to stand, yet it causes physical tiredness as a person needs to hold the body parts steady for a very long time. This decreases the circulation of blood in the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons and sometimes leads to pain and stiffness. 

• Sit at the desk which is specially designed for the computer users.
• Have the screen of the monitor either at the level of eyes or slightly lower.
• Use a footstool or adjust the chair in such a way so that feet may touch the floor.
• Try to use an ergonomic keyboard.
• Take a short break during work, go for a little walk and try to do stretching at the desk (Ellahi, et al., 2011).

(Anon., 2018)

Tendons and Muscles can become painful because of awkward and repetitive postures. This is often known as overuse injury and mostly occurs in wrist, elbow, and hands of computer users. The main symptoms of these injuries are swelling, pain, weakness, numbness and stiffness of the joints.

• Keep the mouse at the same height as the height of the keyboard.
• Try to position the mouse as near as possible to the side of the keyboard.
• Type gently and lightly.
• Use the mouse with the whole palm and not with just the wrist (Akinbinu & Mashalla, 2014).

Keep focusing on the objects with less than six meters away from the eyes causes fatigue and injuries. The illuminated screen of the computer can also be harmful to the eyes. Such fatigue damages may cause in blurred vision, headaches, and inability to focus on faraway objects.

• Tilt the screen slightly to avoid glare and reflections.
• Make sure that the computer screen is not so close to the eyes.
• Try to focus on faraway objects and frequently look away from the computer screen.
• Make sure that the source of light is not shining directly on the computer screen or on the face of the user.
• Have regular eye check-up to find it that any blurring and headaches are not caused by any other physical disorders (Mubarak, et al., 2016).

(Anon., 2017)

The use of a computer for a very long time is the main contributing factor to the childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Because the computer enables to play the indoor games without using any physical efforts. It increases he laziness and obesity in the children that may lead to many other health problems.

• Try to involve in physical activities such as exercise, outdoor games, and extracurricular activities.
• Drink more water at the time of working and try to walk for 2-3 minutes in every 30 minutes.
• Avoid using headphones at high volume while working on the computer.
• Sit at least one meter away from the computer screen

Conclusion

On the basis of the above study, it can be concluded that computers are making the day to day transactions very easy for the businesses and individuals with the help of application software. But, for the proper functioning of application software, system software is also required to work in an efficient manner. The report also concludes that while working on computers, the users should take above specified measures to control and prevent the health issues that can often lead to the severe diseases.

References

Akinbinu, T. R. & Mashalla, Y. J., 2014. Impact of Computer Technology on Health: Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Medical Practice and Review, 5(3), pp. 20-30.

Anon., 2017. 10 examples of input devices of computer. [Online]
Available at: https://www.examplesof.net/2017/08/10-examples-of-input-devices-of-computer.html#.W4PnmOgzbIU
[Accessed 27 August 2018].

Anon., 2017. Posture-related injuries from computer use. [Online]
Available at: https://www.google.co.in/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellrehab.com.my%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F01%2Fsit-at-desk.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellrehab.com.my%2F2017%2F01%2F24%2Fposture-related-injuries-from-computer-use%2F&docid=TAierZt1t-H_M
[Accessed 27 August 2018].

Anon., 2018. Work Related Injuries. [Online]
Available at: https://bedaleosteopaths.co.uk/osteopathy/accidents
[Accessed 27 August 2018].

Ellahi, A., Khalil, M. . S. & Akram, F., 2011. Computer users at risk: Health disorders associated with prolonged computer use. Journal of Business Management and Economics, 2(4), pp. 171-182.

Manikandeshwar, M., 2015. Computer Hardware – An Overview. International Journal of Science and Research , 4(10), pp. 200-203.

Moravcik, O., Petrik, D., Skripcak, T. & Schreiber, P., 2012. Elements of the Modern Application Software Development. International Journal of Computer Theory and Engineering, 4(6), pp. 891-896.

Mubarak, M. b. s. b., Kazi, R. N. A. & Ahsan, S. T., 2016. Health consequences of long hour use of computer on the teaching and non-teaching faculty in an educational institution. SCIREA Journal of Safety Science and Technology, 1(1), pp. 1-14.

Nikoloski, K., 2014. The Role of Information Technology in the Business Sector. International Journal of Science and Research, 3(12), pp. 303-309.

Quang, V. K., Zakaria, N. H. & Hieu, B. T., 2016. INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING. International Journal of Advanced Computational Engineering and Networking, 4(4), pp. 48-54.

Scacchi, W. & Alspaugh, T. A., 2012. Understanding the role of licenses and evolution in open architecture software ecosystems. The Journal of Systems and Software, 85, pp. 1479-1494.

Shaqiri, A. B., 2015. Impact of Information Technology and Internet in Businesses. Academic Journal of Business, Administration, Law and Social Sciences, 1(1), pp. 73-79.

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