On (07/06/03 15:44), Pigeon wrote: > On Sat, Jun 07, 2003 at 02:07:29AM -0700, Paul Johnson wrote: > > On Fri, Jun 06, 2003 at 12:27:37PM -0400, Nori Heikkinen wrote: > > > i'd like your opinions/feedback about what kind of ergonomic setups > > > you use at home and in the office. as i mentioned a couple of days > > > ago, i've been issued a laptop at work, and i can barely use it for > > > the wrist strain. > > > > Best way to solve wrist strain with any computer is to position the > > keyboard and mouse or the laptop in a manner that keeps your wrists as > > straight as possible, and avoid resting your hands on the keyboard. > > > > If you're using a mouse, keep your wrist fairly straight, and try to > > use your whole arm to move the mouse. Using your wrist alone is just > > begging for carpal tunnel syndrome; just your forearm for tennis elbow. > > Ah, mice... another oddity of fashion... I ditched mine for a > trackball and find that a great improvement. I can control the pointer > with small movements of one finger, I don't need a large clear space > to use it in, making precisely-located clicks is easier as the pointer > doesn't joggle when you press the button, I can find a convenient > place to leave it next to the keyboard so it's less awkward switching > between input devices in GUIs. The finger movement required is similar > in magnitude to that required by a laptop's track pad, but the > tracking is much more precise and controllable. > > The trackball I have, a Trust Ami Track Dual Scroll, is a sort of > elongated dome shape that fits into the palm of the hand, with the > ball at one end and paddles on either side for left and right buttons. > The thumb operates one paddle, the little finger the other, and the > first finger rests on the ball. (Middle button, right behind the ball, > is a little awkward.) It is symmetrical, so just as easy to use with > either hand - an important feature which many pointing devices lack. > > Its only disadvantage is that its mechanical operation makes it > vulnerable to finger grease. Unfortunately, the only optical ones I've > seen have been highly asymmetrical, which is no good. I suppose I > could always do a gut transplant though. > > And what is a trackball but an upside down mouse that was invented > first? Fashion is an odd thing... FWIW, my partner acquired a MS Optical Trackball a year or so ago and was very impressed. In spite of my preference for Macs, when I acquired a G4 earlier this year, I decided I needed more than one button. Furthermore I found the little round Mac mouse pretty uncomfortable after a while. So I swallowed my prejudice and added to Bill Gates' coffers by buying an optical trackball and it is the best piece of kit I've ever seen from MS ;-).
Fast, comfortable (with wheel scroll) - I wonder how I ever managed with a single button. This has 5 but I only use three currently. Regards Clive -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
