[consulting] OT: Keyboards and RSI

[Andrew Cohill]

On Aug 18, 2006, at 10:53 AM, Arto Bendiken wrote:

>> Additionally, does anyone use the Dvorak keymapping? Does it help  
>> with
>> RSIs? Or is just for speed?
>
> I'm a bit late to this party, but just wanted to point out that the
> Dvorak configuration isn't any longer the last word in alternative
> keyboard layouts. Anyone seriously considering switching from QWERTY
> should definitely also check out Colemak:

Numerous studies have shown that the typical benefit of alternative  
keyboards is as little at 10% increased typing speed.  Dvorak was not  
designed to reduce RSI problems--it was intended to increase typing  
speed.

Current thinking is that alternative keyboard layouts offer little  
advantage, and I would never recommend an alternative keyboard to try  
to solve RSI problems--there are many other factors, like keyboard  
location, keyboard height, and chair quality that have a much bigger  
effect.

The one exception:  if you already have *severe* RSI problems, as in  
not being able to use a keyboard at all, one handed chord keyboards  
are an option.

If your keyboard is on top of the desk, your monitor is too high, and  
you have a lousy chair, a Dvorak keyboard won't make a bit of  
difference--none.

Andrew

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