Ergoblog

New Keyboard Aims to Thwart QWERTY Evilness

Lots of people with hand problems (RSI, CTS, <insert other initials denoting over-use problem>) make the switch from QWERTY to DVORAK keyboard layouts, but some new keyboards are coming down the line that will offer other alternatives.  This one is put together by a 62-year-old electrical engineer and will premeir at the next Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. With the keys laid out in alphabetical order, it may or may not have a layout superior to QWERTY (I'd think a keyboard that put the most-used keys on the home row would be best), but at least it's a different option.  For more on the board, there's a story up at news.com: Taking on QWERTY's Illogic

Home Office Economics

We've talked a lot about ergonomics (hence the name "ergoblog"), but I came across an article on home office "eco-nomics" (stress on ecological/environmental benefits more than economical) that was interesting.  It talks about the perks of working at home. The article says "Stay-at-home workers increase their personal time and reduce their environmental impact by foregoing a commute and using extra space at home (thereby saving resources that go into a traditional office)."  Since a couple of the benefits they mention could also reduce stress, they seemed worth pointing out here:

When you have a home office...

• You can create a healthy workspace by taking measures such as using nontoxic wall paint and installing compact fluorescent light bulbs. 
• Instead of quaffing coffee and vending machine food, you can stock your fridge with nutritional snacks.
• Because you choose your hours, you can run errands (grocery shopping, working out, etc.) during non-peak times and avoid rush hour stresses.
• (adding one of mine) You have the freedom to set up your office with ergonomic gear such as a keyboard, chair, and desk that fits juuuust right.

Sold on working from home yet?  Now all you have to do is okay it with your boss...

Source: "Home Office Eco-nomics" in the Nov/Dec 2005 issue of Natural Home & Garden

Senseboard "Virtual Keyboard"

I'm not a big cell phone text messager, but I have seen numerous articles in the last year or two addressing the awkwardness of creating messages on those tiny pads meant for dialing phone numbers.  Likewise, PDA users have to deal with tiny interfaces.  From the articles I've read, doctors are starting to link increased use of these devices with RSIs like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  That's why, when I saw an article on a virtual keyboard designed to work with these compact devices, I decided to check it out.

The Senseboard virtual keyboard and mouse is actually a pair of devices that wrap around your hand and sense movements to translate the characters you are typing.  I'm probably mangling the description, so here's a blurb from the company's web site:

"Designed for “keyboard challenged” mobile computer users, Senseboard® “virtual keyboard” is a small device that attaches to the palms of the hand and allows users to type on any surface as if it were a keyboard. It works by measuring hand and finger movements, and determines the appropriate keystrokes or mouse movements."

I wasn't able to find much on the 'net in the way of reviews, so if anyone has tried the device, please let us know how it worked. 

http://www.senseboard.com

Mouse Bridges

I'd never heard of a mouse bridge until I was over browsing the Safe Computing web site.  It's a flat little device that raises the height of your mouse pad and moves it closer to the keyboard (it looks like it's meant to hover over the number pad, which most of us don't use anyway).  Please don't quote me on this, but at some point, I remember reading that the mouse position can actually contribute to problems like RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, because we tend to hold our arms out away from and to the side of the body in order to move and click the mouse, thus putting more tension on the shoulders (which can lead to trigger points and pain in other parts of the body--since I've talked about that in other posts, I won't go deeper here).  Long story short, a mouse bridge seems like a device that might do some good, since it brings the mouse in closer, so you aren't stretching to the side to do your clicking. 

Has anyone used one or have any thoughts on the subject?

The mouse bridges are available over at Safe Computing: http://www.safecomputing.com/deskraisers.html Prices start at $21.99.