The Effects of Computers and the Internet on Society

Nowadays, it is hard to imagine anyone not having heard of a computer and the Internet especially in a modern society. Both computers and the Internet have great effects on society especially the way people communicate and interact with another; and the way certain tasks are being done. However, computers had profound impact on society even long before the word Internet became a common word.

The greatest effect of computers on society is the way they change the way how certain jobs are being done. The strongest impact, I believe, is on the typist's job. Today, a typist can use a word processing software that can help him or her to save some time and perhaps some paper as he or she can easily make corrections with it. Previously on a typewriter, a typist would have to use whiteouts or erasers that would leave awful marks on the paper to delete errors. If the typist wanted a clean and error-free copy, he or she would have retype the entire document again. With computers, authors can more quickly complete their work. Accountants who once only used the calculator and manually entered figures into the ledger can now use accounting software to ease their work. Graphics designer can now use graphic designing software that can help them save time in designing and provide suggestions to them. Architects can use a program that allow them to design and to see it in 3D without having to build a real 3D model. Composers can use composition software to listen to how his or her composition will sound like without having to gather members of an orchestra. One of the greatest invention was the spreadsheet that allows its user to enter numbers into tiny rectangular boxes known as cells to create meaningful statements with numbers and to easily make calculations on the numbers entered. Today with the Internet, it is even easier to obtain the required software. Instead of having to go to the store, a person can download the software from a website and install it directly onto the computer. If you have been exploring Google, you may have notice that the famous Internet business also provides programs that you can use directly on their website without having to download any of them. With the Internet, it is now possible to share spreadsheet files and word-processed documents with another without having to make copies and to post the copies. An author may now submit his or her work via the Internet to a publisher for consideration.

Computers and the Internet also have some effects on home users. Even before the Internet became a common thing, people have been using their computers to perform various tasks including balancing their home budgets, typing letters to their friends, making greeting cards, and to entertain themselves. Although the tasks can be done without a computer, the invention makes doing such tasks much easier. Household items like microwaves, digital televisions, MP3 players are devices with computers in them. According to one article I found on
Wikipedia, computer systems found in such devices are known as embedded systems. With the Internet, it is now possible to find out more about a device before deciding to have a further look at it at a store and to make an order directly on a website.

The Internet changed the way people communicate and interact with one another; obtain information and knowledge; and perform certain tasks. With the Internet, a person can send messages using the email technology and messengers. Before the Internet was readily available to everyone, we have to physically move to a letterbox to send our messages.

The Internet makes it easy for people from different parts of the world to interact with one another. For example, a person who is in the United States can now play computer games and chat with someone in Australia. However, in my opinion, a person's health may be affected if he or she spends to much time playing computer games and less time on physical activities.

People can also meet one another on websites known as social networking sites without really having to see one another personally. However, meeting someone for the first time on the Internet may not be as safe as meeting someone personally. Also, a person's social skills may be affected as he or she has less chances of having a face-to-face conversation with the other person and have actual interaction with him or her. For example, you may have felt that having an Internet conference together where everyone can see each other eating on his or her screen is nothing like having a dinner together at a restaurant. According to raisesmartkids.com, a kid who plays too much video or computer games can be socially isolated and spend less time interacting physically with friends and family members. I believe this holds true also for adults who spend too much time on computer games.

The Internet, together with computers, has made tasks much easier for many people. With the computer, a person can type and easily correct a message. With the Internet, he or she can easily send the message to anyone in the world. It is also possible to send the message to more than one person in one go. A person can use the computer to design an image and upload it to a website for the world to see. Photos and movie clips can also be shared on certain websites.

Before the Internet was available, the only ways to gain knowledge and to get some information were to read print materials like a book, a magazine, or a newspaper; watch a video; and listen to some audio or someone. Today, a person can just visit websites to get the needed information quickly. A search engine can also be used to look for the most appropriate websites. This indeed can save a lot of person's time. However, a person's health may be affected as he or she may not have to walk to the library any longer which may mean less time is spent on physical exercise as walking is a form of exercise.

People who do not normally use computers are also impacted by the famous invention. Businesses use computers to assist them in collecting money from customers and to enhance customer service. With computers, customers do not have to wait as long as before for service. The ATM machine actually utilises some sort of computer technology.
Computers and the Internet, either together or separately, will continue to have strong impacts and effects on society for many years to come.