IT Support for Business: Hardware, Software and Health Issues

This report discusses the use of hardware and software in computer systems, the difference between system and application software, and the importance of software for businesses. It also covers health issues related to computer use, such as posture-related injuries, injuries to arms and hands, eyestrain, and obesity, and provides measures to control them.

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
TASK 1......................................................................................................................................2
Hardware................................................................................................................................2
Software..................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2......................................................................................................................................4
Posture Related Injuries..........................................................................................................4
Measures to control................................................................................................................5
Injuries to arms and hands......................................................................................................5
Measures to control................................................................................................................5
Eyestrain.................................................................................................................................6
Measures to control................................................................................................................6
Obesity....................................................................................................................................6
Measures to control................................................................................................................6
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................7
References..................................................................................................................................8

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Introduction
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.
TASK 1
Use of computer hardware and computer software:
Hardware
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:
Mouse
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.
Monitor
The user gets information in visual form with the help of monitor screen as it displays the
input and output data visually.
Keyboard
This is an input hardware device which is used to enter information in form of letters,
alphabets, and symbols.
Voltage Regulator
It controls the automatic electrical changes which can damage the internal components and
system software of the computer.

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Anon( ., 2017)
CPU
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).
Software
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).
Difference between System Software and Application Software:
Basis for
Comparison
System Software Application Software
Basic Provides a base for application
software.
These are designed to perform
specific tasks.
Language These software are written in
assembly language which is also
known as low-level language.
These are written in the high-level
language like C++, JAVA, VB, Net
etc.
Function System software starts functioning
from the time of turn on the
Application software functions as
per the wants and needs of the users.

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computer until the time of turn off.
Importance A system cannot run without the
use of System Software.
Application software is not required
to run the computer system as these
are depend on the specific needs of
the users.
Examples Operating System (Scacchi &
Alspaugh, 2012)
Microsoft office, games, Photoshop
and Animation software etc
(Moravcik, et al., 2012).
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).
TASK 2
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:
Posture Related Injuries
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

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the circulation of blood in the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons and sometimes leads to
pain and stiffness.
Measures to control
 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)
Injuries to arms and hands
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.
Measures to control
 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).

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Eyestrain
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.
Measures to control
 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)
Obesity
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.
Measures to control
 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.

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 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.

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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.

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Quang, V. K., Zakaria, N. H. & Hieu, B. T., 2016. INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND
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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-
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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.