• Am I a Victim of STRESS ?

• History of the Computer and Desks

• What do people have to say?

• Closer look at the products

AM I A VICTIM OF STRESS

Your eyelids are feeling very strange. You look around the room: Through glazed-over eyes you see other people, co-workers of yours, who seem to be taking their day in stride. They are doing the exact same work that you are doing and, for some reason, doing it without any difficulty. But you are unable to focus. Your shoulders and back are hurting, your vision is blurred, your hands and wrists are just not responding properly. Your busy fingers are not stroking the right keys on the computer keyboard, and you're misclicking your icons in hast to complete this very important task. What's wrong? you ask yourself, over and over again. This morning you were feeling fine, but now mallaise and exhaustion have set in. You feel achie and burnt out. You must be coming down with the flu or something. No sense complaining, however, everybody else here looks great. They all seem to be in good spirits. They seem alert, capable and motivated. The problem must be with you alone, and most likely has nothing to do with rest of them or your immediate environment. You continue to wonder...You are participating in one of the most important advancements in the history of the world, and incapable of taking full advantage of it. This wonderful, exciting new technology that will be the engine that drives governments, industry, commerce, education, travel, recreation- and, yes, even do your shopping for you--but you're being moved out. The challenge that seemed so exciting such a short time ago, now seems to be slipping away from you at light speed because, for some reason, you can no longer keep up.

HISTORY OF THE COMPUTER AND DESK

The computer is a marvelous invention. Developed during World War II as a rapid fire way of analyzing the path of massive artillery projectiles and to speed up intricate mathematical calculations, it rapidly evolved into a machine capable of solving the world's most complex problems with the speed and accuracy of a lightning bolt. With the help of the two men in a garage, a whole new culture was launched. As the technology advanced, the computer became faster and faster, while, at the same time, ironically, becoming smaller and smaller. Along with these major achievements in hardware and similar advancements on the software side, another paradox occurred: all this new technology was going down in price. The computer became affordable to almost anybody, businesses, institutions and finally to private citizens as well.

Nothing could be simpler to assimilate. A home desk or an office desk was entirely suitable enough as a place for a computer. Desks of all shapes and sizes, attractive and unattractive, were plentiful. And they were utilized by the thousands. But the computer brought along its own unique set of requirements. As time passed, special computer desks were developed, some included spaces for the computer, and others even spaces for accessories, such as the printer and other peripherals. Eventually spaces for scanners were added. Everything to facilitate the use of the computer was taking giant steps, as the computer support systems were advancing right along with the computer itself.

These ancillary industries worked feverishly to keep up with the run-a-way technology of the computer. With the cooperation of health, education, commerce, research, etc, together they tried to make this new environ welcomed. They pieced together one of the most enormous efforts ever generated by modern civilization, the first true global collaboration, to make this novel Technology feel at home. But the wave was moving too fast. All of their labor was not in time, I'm afraid, to ward off the advances of a new insidiously encroaching phenomenon.

WHAT DO PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY

1) Small Business Man Back In Business

Dear Dr Nostress:
During the tax season, I worked with H & R. Block as a preparer of taxes. The computer monitors sit on pedestals on top of the desks. I found myself looking up at the monitor screen in an awkward sort of way six to eight hours a day.

When I came home nights, I needed therapy. Eventually my back and, especially, my neck hurt so bad I was forced to see a chiropractor to ease the pain. He helped me get through the tax season, but I knew, after that ordeal, I would never go back to work with H&R Block. Because my plan was to start my own private tax preparation business, at home I worked many hours a day at my computer. My monitor sat flat on top of the desk and it still was not easy for me. But, at least, at home I could stand up when I pleased, or walk away from my work for a reprieve.

Even so, I felt, if a computer is going to be in my future, there would have to be some changes made. When I saw your desk at the shop of a local cabinet maker, I knew right away that it was the desk for me. I've been using your desk now for about six months. I must tell you, I've never been so pleased with a choice of mine. I felt the difference the first time I sat down at your stress free computer desk. I am no longer seeing a chiropractor, and am looking forward again to pursuing my business venture. Thank God! Somebody is thinking about the people who use these things.

Sincerely,

N. Lester,NSW

2) A Bit Of Genius Is An Inventor

Dear Sir:

Let me thank you, first. I am an inventor myself. I designed a desk similar to yours. The only problem with mine was that the monitor sat down through the desktop on an immovable platform tilted upward. It was a cumbersome thing, hard to get the monitor in and out, impossible to connect the cables. It weighted too much, and it would have cost too much to make. Yours is a stroke of genius, so simple and yet so brilliant. Thank God you had the vision to see what I could not! Thank You,

Joseph Santini

3) Hi-tech Blues

Dear Dr Nostress:

I work in the computer room for a large hi-tech company in Central Jersey. We are required to spend six to eight hours a day in front of our computers. It is a strain, and the company is not unaware of the pain and discomfort we endure in front of a computer so many hours. They have tried every gadget on the market to help alleviate our situation, even to point of bringing in a hypnotist. None of it worked for me. I also do a lot of my work at home. Lately I am doing less and less work at home because of the strain working at my computer puts on my back and neck. I've used all kinds of body maneuvers in an attempt to ease the pain so that I can remain at my desk for longer periods of time, but to no avail. I was at my wits end. I didn't know what I would do, but I knew I couldn't go on this way.

A few weeks ago, I saw a picture of your desk on a brochure. I was not convinced. But at this point, I would try anything if it meant being able to continue working in my chosen field. Mr. Morgan, I have had your desk for only a week now, and the difference is so pronounced I have recommended it to my company--and everybody I know. I am certain you will be hearing from them soon.

Thank You,

Charlie Bryan, VIC