When I first starting have trouble with RSI, it was hard to find a keyboard that actually made a difference. There were some ergonomic keyboards on the market, but I ended up resorting to voice recognition software for quite a while (and if you've ever wanted to feel
stupid, trying dictating a fantasy novel to your computer... it'll do all sorts of interesting things with the names of your major characters). Fortunately these days, I'm able to make a living while only working an hour or two a day (see my latest blog for more on that: Writing for Your Wealth) and my RSI doesn't bother me nearly as much. That doesn't keep me from gawking at all the interesting new ergonomic keyboards and accessories though.
For instance, Kinesis has a new accessory out for their popular "Solo" split keyboard (I don't have a Solo but dropped the $300 for one of their contoured ergonomic keyboards a few years back and found it well worth the money--once I got used to the funky layout):
The Kinesis Freestyle V3 "clips onto the base of
the Solo keyboard and enables users to set slope settings of 5, 10, and
15 degrees without using any tools." Like a little more angle to your split keyboard? Try the Ascent Multi-Tent, which " enables both vertical and variable keyboard tenting, letting users independently set the tenting angle of each module in 10 degree increments from 20 all the way up to 90 degrees."
I'm not sure I can see getting used to typing with my hands perpendicular to my desk, but it'd sure wig out any friends who came over to use your computer.
The Solo keyboard runs about $135 with the V3 tenting accessory around $25.
I'm glad you're posting more regularly again! My boss wants me to start posting about ergonomic devices like keyboards, and I'll definitely be looking to your blog for research.
Posted by: chairgirl | July 23, 2008 at 12:02 PM