Is your office/PC ergo?

masraum · 10-28-2006, 12:50 AM

I was just wondering if anyone here has spent any time doing anything special to make your PC or office more ergonomic? Do you use any special hardware or anything like that.

I don't have RSI, but I like to be comfy. I've got a Kinesis Advantage pro keyboard and a few logitech trackman trackballs. I've done lots of reading on making a work area more ergo, but I don't really have much done other than that.

id10t · 10-28-2006, 04:17 AM

Nope, I work on too many different computers. Heck, wheelie mice used to piss me off 'cause I'd get used to them on a few machines, then be stuck working on machines without them.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Main things I do is
1. Keep wrists straight or a little droopy (i.e. palms closer to forearm), not cocked (back of hand closer to forearm). This can mean raising keyboard, or tilting it away from you. A low keyboard, tilted toward you, is the worst.
2. Same with mouse hand. A gel pad under mouse hand wrist helps.
3. Keep neck straight. Shouldn't have neck hunched over (monitor too low) or craned (monitor too high).
4. No reflections on computer screen. Close shades, move computer, or use polarizer.

scottmandue · 10-28-2006, 07:02 AM

I spend ninety percent of my computer time here at work and we have no ergo stuff. I do arrange the keyboard/mouse/monitor/chair here to be comfortable. At home I have a MS ergo keyboard that I hate only because the keys are getting sticky due to abuse and lack of use

I also have a logitech thumb roller ball at home that I like the feel of but the buttons only work half the time.

Steve that is an interesting keyboard, was it expensive?

Moneyguy1 · 10-28-2006, 09:35 AM

Sorry...I read the title wrong (read into it)

"Is your office Politically Correct, therefore?

masraum · 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by scottmandue
I spend ninety percent of my computer time here at work and we have no ergo stuff. I do arrange the keyboard/mouse/monitor/chair here to be comfortable. At home I have a MS ergo keyboard that I hate only because the keys are getting sticky due to abuse and lack of use I also have a logitech thumb roller ball at home that I like the feel of but the buttons only work half the time.

Steve that is an interesting keyboard, was it expensive?

You can get this style of keyboard for anywhere between $191 and $287 depending on options, so yes, it was expensive for a keyboard. I find it really comfortable, so much that I'll probably purchase another to take to work. It's switchable to a Dvorak layout on the kb and you can remap keys and program macros on all but the cheapest model. I bought mine refurbished from the manuf or you can buy new from another company at the same price.
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=KS&Category_Code=KBD-US
http://www.fentek-ind.com/ergo.htm

Right now I have an old keyboard at work that is very similar to the MS Natural except that it tilts away from you rather than towards which is more comfortable. From what I understand I could get them to buy something if I saw a doctor, but I don't have any RSI, so I figured it would be easier just to buy what I wanted and take it in.

If your MS keyboard is getting long in the tooth you may want to check around. You can pick them up for $20. Here's a PS2 for $17 and a PS2/USB for $35
http://axiontech.com/subcat.php?cat=HARDWARE&sub1=COMPONENTS&sub2=INPUT+DEVICES&sub3=KEYBOARDS&sub4=STYLE&sub5=NATURAL

HardDrive · 10-28-2006, 10:44 AM

We supply ibuprofen and whiskey.

cool_chick · 10-28-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by scottmandue
I spend ninety percent of my computer time here at work and we have no ergo stuff. I do arrange the keyboard/mouse/monitor/chair here to be comfortable. At home I have a MS ergo keyboard that I hate only because the keys are getting sticky due to abuse and lack of use I also have a logitech thumb roller ball at home that I like the feel of but the buttons only work half the time.

Steve that is an interesting keyboard, was it expensive?

abuse huh.....???

hmmmmmmm

id10t · 10-28-2006, 03:19 PM

For home use, you can have my model M (and its 3 siblings I have as spares in the garage) when you pry it from my cold dead hands.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Moneyguy1
Sorry...I read the title wrong (read into it)

"Is your office Politically Correct, therefore?

Yep, I thought this was a thread on Political Correctness issues as well.

But, BOT, yes. I got rid of my keyboard and mouse and only use the Laptop and the clit. The clit, being in the middle of the keyboard, it very ergonomic. I keep the laptop at a distance on my desk so I have to put elbows on the desk. I have also removed the tubes out of the light above my desk to reduce glare.

Back in the 90's I had to be treated for arm problems related to too much mouse activity. Yep, DOOM/QUAKE killed my arm! I ended up having to sling my arm for a few weeks, get cortisone injections in my elbow and switch to left hand mouse for 2 years. The clit is even better, since you hands are not moving off the keyboard as much.

Also, I've switched breifcases from one slung on my arm to one that rolls. 2 laptops the rest of the stuff I carry, has led to neck problems. Jesus I'm a wuss! I re-read the above and I think a girl could beat me up. Here in Romania, that might be fun!

scottmandue · 10-28-2006, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cool_chick
abuse huh.....???

hmmmmmmm

Don't drink and compute... STUPID MOTHER F****** PIECE OF $HIT BAM BAM BAM... I wonder what the neighbors think.

And yes CC I know that's not what you meant... you naughty girl... that's why I like you.

scottmandue · 10-28-2006, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HardDrive
We supply ibuprofen and whiskey.

Can I trade in my ibuprofen for more whisky?

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by scottmandue
Don't drink and compute... STUPID MOTHER F****** PIECE OF $HIT BAM BAM BAM... I wonder what the neighbors think.

And yes CC I know that's not what you meant... you naughty girl... that's why I like you.

What? I only had 1 bottle of Romanian Cabernet. Not bad for $55 RON (under $20 USD!)

James

PS, i almost typed Ramenian...noodle based wine

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by jyl
2. Same with mouse hand. A gel pad under mouse hand wrist helps.

Very important advice here. I developed carpel tunnel in my mouse wrist (no not from THAT - from mousing). I cut the legs off my desk & lowered it to level my arm & I use a wrist pad.

Whenever I get lazy, I suffer.

Ian

masraum · 10-28-2006, 05:10 PM

Yes, I have a wrist pad for my mouse, but having the trackball instead of a regular mouse also helps tons. I used to occasionally get a sore wrist from mousing, but I haven't now in years.

BlueSkyJaunte · 10-28-2006, 05:15 PM

I use a Kinesis, a Wacom pen tablet, and a pair of LCDs.

CRTs are evil.

masraum · 10-28-2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
I use a Kinesis, a Wacom pen tablet, and a pair of LCDs.

CRTs are evil.

I love my Kinesis, I have a large Wacom tablet, but I haven't ever really adjusted to using it, so I only use it for art stuff, and I have an LCD.

The only problem that I have with the LCD's is that to get anything over 1280x1024, you have to get a 21" or larger. The most perplexing part of that is that the 3 year old Dell laptop that is provided by my job is 15" (or is it 14") and it supports 1600x1200.

BlueSkyJaunte · 10-28-2006, 05:58 PM

Agreed--super-hi-rez LCDs that under 20" are pointless...

My Wacom is the small one (5x4?) and I use it in "absolute" mode...gets me around the screen much faster. The thing is I try to memorize as many key-combos as possible so I DON'T have to use the mouse.

I miss vi...wish there was something integrated with Visual Studio.

Nostril Cheese · 10-28-2006, 06:09 PM

In my office, the following is supplied.

Ergo keyboards
Hi-rez LCD's (great for solidworks)
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds over the stereo.

not too bad of a gig, really

masraum · 10-28-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
Agreed--super-hi-rez LCDs that under 20" are pointless...

No, I want a 19" that runs at 1600x1200. No one that I work with can ever see anything on my monitor without getting close and squinting, but I see just fine. No one at work can type at my PC because I use a Dvorak keyboard, and it'll only get worse when I get another Kinesis for work. Most of them have a helluva time using my trackball. It's great, no one ever screws with my stuff.