[consulting] OT: Keyboards and RSI

[Barry Jaspan]

I got hit with RSI almost ten years ago.  Here's my list of suggestions:

- Kinesis ergonomic keyboard.  The MS "Natural" keyboard is a joke.

- I switched to a trackball with my non-dominant (ie: less sore) arm 
and like it.  I use a Kensington Orbit because it is left/right 
neutral.  This is not a strong recommendation.

- Get Dragon NaturallySpeaking (version 9 just came out) and use it 
for 100% of your email.  This requires Windows; sadly, there is no 
acceptable voice recognition software for any other platform.  It 
really is pretty good for pure text and this will take a big load off 
your arms.  Search Google for "NatLink" and "Vocola" for an 
open-source package to create scripts/macros/etc in Python.

- Break software.  I've used WorkPace for many years.  I did not know 
about WorkRave but you should certainly check out the free 
alternatives first. :-)

- Find a practitioner of Active Release Techniques, a soft-tissue 
treatment that has mostly cured/managed my RSI (I can now work full 
time, kayak, and rock climb whereas 10 years ago none were possible). 
http://www.activereleasetechniques.com is the "official" 
site.  http://www.softtissuetreatment.com/ is the site for my 
personal practitioner and I think explains it much better.

Good luck.

Barry (typing, as I'm on the road w/o my normal computer :-)

At 10:31 AM 8/10/2006, you wrote:
>Hello,
>
>I've decided to give the pain in my left arm the boot, and I'm in the
>market for a new keyboard anyway, so I thought I would see anyone had
>recommendations for an ergonomic keyboard.
>
>Additionally, does anyone use the Dvorak keymapping? Does it help with
>RSIs? Or is just for speed?
>
>Thanks,
>-Mark
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