ren28
10-20-2002, 03:35 PM
With the amount of time being spent on the computer today, I thought I might introduce the topic of RSI since I don't see it discussed. This will help keep YW posters posting and possibly prevent such injuries from ever happening in the first place. I included a poll because polls can grab attention. Here are some informational links about RSI and other links for a pain free computer experience.
There are many good articles on this site:
http://www.rsihelp.com/
like these:
http://www.rsihelp.com/compcurr_981006.shtml
http://www.rsihelp.com/tips.shtml
information on mouse use:
http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/cumousetips.html
If you have the 1998 Computer Currents article "RSI 101," please post it. I found that article very accurate and useful.
My own tips (which worked for myself and some others I've worked with):
1. Relax your shoulders and have the keyboard at a level so that your wrists are straight and elbows around 90 degrees or a little closer to your lap rather than higher up. I've found that many corporations have the users' keyboards too high. Higher is bad for most users!
2. Do not type harder than you need to.
3. The top of your video display should be at eye level.
4. You should not have to lean over to reach a keyboard or mouse.
5. Take breaks especially when you get tired and take breaks even if you are NOT tired.
6. Stop immediately if you feel sore.
7. If you must read even when your eyes are tired, print things out on paper with a decent sized font.
8. Make sure your refresh rate is something over 60Hz if you are using a CRT (a monitor). 60Hz can lead to tired, sore eyes! If you have a monitor capable of 85Hz+ without causing problems with the monitor at the resolution you currently use, you owe it to yourself to use 85Hz. If the safe max on your monitor is 70Hz, 72Hz, or 75Hz use it. Don't compute with sore eyes.
9. If you are already in good ergo-land, don't make drastic changes if you feel no pain. Example: don't use any ergo keyboard if you are having no problems with a normal keyboard.
10. Got mouse pain? Try a trackball. Try a touchpad. Try a glidepoint. Try an ergo joystick mouse (seriously). Alternate between the ones that hurt the least. Don't continue to use a mouse unless it gives you the least pain.
11. If you do a hell of a lot of scrolling with big spreadsheets, try a dual monitor or triple monitor setup with the appropriate videocard. More resolution on the same monitor may help, up to a point. Too high a resolution and you will be squinting. They key here is, the more information you can see on your screen (more resolution or more screens to use), the LESS SCROLLING VIA MOUSE OR KEYBOARD YOU NEED.
Anyway, hope this will help someone.
Disclaimer: I'm not saying these things will work for everyone.
There are many good articles on this site:
http://www.rsihelp.com/
like these:
http://www.rsihelp.com/compcurr_981006.shtml
http://www.rsihelp.com/tips.shtml
information on mouse use:
http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/cumousetips.html
If you have the 1998 Computer Currents article "RSI 101," please post it. I found that article very accurate and useful.
My own tips (which worked for myself and some others I've worked with):
1. Relax your shoulders and have the keyboard at a level so that your wrists are straight and elbows around 90 degrees or a little closer to your lap rather than higher up. I've found that many corporations have the users' keyboards too high. Higher is bad for most users!
2. Do not type harder than you need to.
3. The top of your video display should be at eye level.
4. You should not have to lean over to reach a keyboard or mouse.
5. Take breaks especially when you get tired and take breaks even if you are NOT tired.
6. Stop immediately if you feel sore.
7. If you must read even when your eyes are tired, print things out on paper with a decent sized font.
8. Make sure your refresh rate is something over 60Hz if you are using a CRT (a monitor). 60Hz can lead to tired, sore eyes! If you have a monitor capable of 85Hz+ without causing problems with the monitor at the resolution you currently use, you owe it to yourself to use 85Hz. If the safe max on your monitor is 70Hz, 72Hz, or 75Hz use it. Don't compute with sore eyes.
9. If you are already in good ergo-land, don't make drastic changes if you feel no pain. Example: don't use any ergo keyboard if you are having no problems with a normal keyboard.
10. Got mouse pain? Try a trackball. Try a touchpad. Try a glidepoint. Try an ergo joystick mouse (seriously). Alternate between the ones that hurt the least. Don't continue to use a mouse unless it gives you the least pain.
11. If you do a hell of a lot of scrolling with big spreadsheets, try a dual monitor or triple monitor setup with the appropriate videocard. More resolution on the same monitor may help, up to a point. Too high a resolution and you will be squinting. They key here is, the more information you can see on your screen (more resolution or more screens to use), the LESS SCROLLING VIA MOUSE OR KEYBOARD YOU NEED.
Anyway, hope this will help someone.
Disclaimer: I'm not saying these things will work for everyone.