Part of our everyday lives, computers have evolved from a tool at work to a personal calendar, a friendly network facilitator and a necessary guide. Although computers have transformed the way we see things and understand the world around us, because their use imposes physical and mental demands on their users, it leads to several health problems, like Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs), eye strain, neck and lower back pains and headaches.
I do not about you, but when I bought a year ago my brand new laptop, I was extremely interested in reading everything included in the package in an effort to take good care of my precious new possession. One of the documents the producer have included in the printed materials I opened to read, was one that directed me to follow specific guidelines on how to effectively and safely use my portable PC. Perhaps I was very lucky, as I later discovered that only recently have manufacturers been forced to include such user guides, or began making an effort to overcome health related issues and complains by introducing ergonomic products and warning labels on some equipment. This is very important, as the designers’ ability to understand that users need simple guidelines in order to be adequately informed of the risks involved and trained on proper body posture, monitor height, elbows distance from the body or recommended hours of use, can prevent computer users, even young, physically active individuals, from suffering in the future.
Specifically, one has to be aware of the hazards of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) to the hands and arms resulting from inappropriate use of the computer’s keyboard and mice. People in a variety of professions, like musicians or chiropractics, who repeatedly exercised pressure on their hands, shoulders, and arms, and have injured their tendons, muscles, and nerves, have been reported as the first cases of RSIs victims. Unfortunately, the list is increasing today, as more and more computer users request medical treatments in order to overcome the symptoms of RSIs on their hands, wrists, arms, shoulders and necks. Medical professionals and patients have reported that tightness, discomfort, stiffness, soreness or burning, numbness, and loss of coordination or strength are the most common symptoms linked to RSIs.
Since this serious painful situation is far easier to prevent than to cure once contracted, it is important for people to be educated and understand when and how RSIs can occur leaving ex-computer users permanently disabled and unable to perform simple tasks, such as driving or even dressing, without requesting help. Ergonomic gadgets, palm rests, maintaining the right posture and overall good working habits can reduce the risks associated with computer use and help young users understand how important it is to be always on alert for RSIs symptoms.
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I love kseigal's idea about the bed! I want to make love in a bed like that! 8^)
We are seeing a lot of integration now–cellphones with cameras and GPS, GPSs with MP3 players, etc. I think we'll see a lot more of that. TVs, computers, media players, GPSs, cellphones, internet terminals, etc. etc. will all come together into general 'electronic devices'. They'll probably come up with some good name for them, like iGizmo.
Notice how small cellphones and MP3s have gotten in just the last few years. It's just a matter of time before we're wearing them on the ear like a bluetooth earpiece, and then -inside- the ear like a hearing aid. These could also have GPS and guide you to your destination with voice commands. ("Now turn left up there by the gas station. It's the fourth house on the left, with the birch tree. Watch out for that kid on the bike!")
I have seen 'glasses' that have little TV screens on them. They could be made into real glasses that you wear all the time. You could watch TV on them, or other kinds of media, or use them as computer monitors. They are always with you, always connected to the Internet, integrated with your phone and your GPS and your MP3 player and video camera and. . . well, you get the idea.
We are now only starting to realize remote-control devices. I mean calling your phone and entering codes on the keypad to turn on your heat, record stuff on your TV, thaw something for dinner, warm up your bed, etc. We'll see a lot more of this integrated into the Internet and your personal in-ear phone/media device/Internet terminal.
WiFi will die, and good riddance! It will be replaced by something more universal. Wireless Internet that you can carry with you anywhere. Maybe a satellite-based system that you can use anywhere in the world, like GPS is today.
It's too bad most high school kids have never played a real video game, and don't have any high-tech stuff.
Hi…those men can be difficult to buy for, huh? My husband is one of them too. I would recommend buying him a gift card for one of his favorite stores. You could then buy him a nice Christmas card and right a sweet message to let him know how much you love him and put the gift card in the card. Merry Christmas…early:)
22" Widescreen flat panel display (1680×1050 res)
C – also found in flourescent light bulbs
Dude,
You made my day! Excellent!
That’s a cool idea. How well does it work when you’re biking? Does it get choppy from having an inconsistent 3g signal?
You can give anything you want but the deduction for business gifts is limited to $25.00 per person.
I agree, however the actual number may even be lower.
I think there are multiple reasons for failure:
- product does not address a "need" that anyone can identify with
- product is too expensive
- product is too complex
- too much competition; profit margin too slim
- developer can't find a mass producer for product, even it's a good one
- developer(s) didn't have enough business savvy
- poor marketing
There's likely other reasons too.
While many people do by the new (and expensive) tech items to make themselves 'feel richer', I believe that most people are more like my husband and I … while we can certainly 'afford' the best and newest, we choose to wait, to see what happens next, and when we do buy, we buy what we NEED for our uses. We have 'top of the line' computers that are 'home built' (my husband is a web developer with the proper skills), and are now looking into getting an HDTV … but we want one about 32" and we want to get the least expensive way to get the shows we usually watch … and we'll also have great DVD play, too, of course, even though we have only a 'normal' DVD player … we have many (over 100) DVDs and we won't get any 'HD' (probably Blu-Ray at this point, but it's still early) player until that has 'settled down' and we can see which will be the one that 'survives' longer than a year or two. We do NOT have the fanciest cell phones (we do carry 'pay as you go' phones for emergencies and to tell time), and we don't own a car and won't own a car because we live in the city, and we don't want to 'pollute' the world any more than is absolutely necessary. As long as we're HAPPY then we'll continue to make our purchases according to our own schedule, and not to the 'schedules' many companies use to keep people BUYING when what they've got is 'good enough' for at least 2-5 years more.
Processing power is out, massive storage is in. Having an in-dorm room media server configured with a terabyte of storage space, 8GB of RAM on a wired gigabit ethernet router is as cool as it gets. Composite video out from your server to your plasma HDTV will rock completely.