Computers and the effects on employment

The computer device has existed since the beginning of the 20^th century as a machine that calculates mathematical problems. Since then, the computer has developed to solve more complex problems using a processing unit as well as a memory system. This significant change began when the first digital computers were used during the 1940’s. These computers were a lot bigger and used more power to run. The computer unit has since become more common and more advanced.

ENIAC, (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) is considered one of the first computers ever made in 1943.

How computers have effected employment

One area affected by the increase of computer usage would be the workplace. Before the computer device, the workplace was very different. The main difference was that information was handwritten or typed using a typewriter. Filing cabinets were used for storage instead of vast computer memory. Communication involved telephoning and letter writing instead of e-mail services.

Today, most forms of office work involve a computer. Examples of this would be communication using E-mail, document writing using a keyboard and storage using computer memory. Overall, the computer has meant that office work is quicker than before.

An example of an office in the 1970’s without computers and typewriters instead.

The effect of tablets on employment

The increasing popularity in tablet computers would also have an effect on employment and the workplace. As tablets become more common, their usage in the workplace would also increase. One example would be Microsoft giving each of their employees a free tablet computer to increase public knowledge of the windows 8 service. A link to the article is available here: http://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-gives-its-90000-employees-free-surface-tablets-2012-09

The Windows 8 tablet with keyboard and stand. This type of tablet would have been given to each Microsoft employee as mentioned in the news article above.

Advantages and disadvantages of computers

The introduction of computers to the workplace also brought advantages and disadvantages as well. One advantage would be the ability to calculate mathematical and logical problems. Many of these problems would be impossible for humans to calculate by themselves. The computer memory also means that many problems can be solved at once. Another advantage of the computer would be the computer’s memory itself. The amount of space available on a computer means that many documents and other forms of information can be stored safely. Before the computer, other types of storage were needed such as filing cabinets. The amount of information on the internet also means that the computer is a useful form of research material. This type of research is ideal for schools and data collection.

An example of a computer memory chip which is responsible for remembering all actions made by the computer.

However, there are also a number of disadvantages of computers in the workplace. One of these disadvantages is the possibility of a computer crash or failure. Examples of computer failures would be a power cut or a virus attack. If a computer failure such as these did occur, information and money could be lost, whereas previous methods would be safe from these problems. The increase in computer usage meant that many workers and financial calculators would have lost their jobs to computers. These computers could perform more calculations and it would be cheaper and quicker to run them overall. Another disadvantage would be that in some cases, previous methods would work better than computers. Today, some of these methods are still used for data backup.

One of the last typewriters used in offices before computers.