Re: Apples and RSI...

[tturner@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca ()]

Dave Althoff (dalloff@freenet.columbus.oh.us) wrote:

: Yesterday, I had an eye-opening experience.

: I've been using computers extensively since about 1981.  That year, I
<snip>
: Now, given the kind of computing I have been doing for the past sixteen
: years, I would expect that I should have some sign of RSI by now.  But
: d'ya know something?  I don't.  My fingers can break-dance, and my wrists
: don't care at all one bit.  
<snip>
: means anything to you).  By the time I went home, I could scarcely move
: hand.  In fact, it still hurts a little.
: Now I begin to put 2+2 together, and realize something that we've known
: all along.  I have been typing, mostly on computers, for about sixteen
: years.  In that time, my computer use has been almost (but not
: quite) exclusevely Apple ][.
: Our Apples are better designed than "standard" PC's.  Real keyswitches,
: sculpted keys with good spacing, a minimal (or in the case of the GS,
: absent) space between the edge of the case and the front of the keyboard,
: a mouse small enough to actually hold, that doesn't try to conform your
: fingers to it...I think all of that, though it makes the Apple keyboards
: and mice look puny compared to the 104-key behemoths and gigantic mice in
: the PC world, probably does my hands and wrists far more good than all the
: split keyboards, gel-filled wrist-rests (how can people type with those
: damned things?) and other so-called "ergonomic" features put together. 
: It is only a theory at this point...But I have to wonder...typewriters
: have been around for ages, and so have word processors.  But most of us
: had never even heard of "carpal tunnel syndrome" (or thought it had
: something to do with clogged sewer pipes) before the rise of the
: PC...in fact, it really wasn't until the inexpensive PC clones, with their
: membrane keyboards arrived, that we started to hear about these RSI problems.

: I just think it is interesting.  Anyone else have any thoughts?

: --Dave Althoff, ][.

--> I see where you're coming from on this - but the little I know seems
    to indicate a different take on it. I, too, have been hammering away
    at A2 keyboards (& amigas, & PC's) since 1985. It has only been in
    the last year or so that I've started to develop warning pains from
    mousing and keyboarding. The research/documentation that the Gov't
    of Canada has available through the Human Resources - J.O.S.H
    Committee (Joint Occupational Safety & Health) indicates that
    the whole ergonomic picture needs to be taken into account; including
    how one sits, at what height, angle of head/eyes to screen, distance 
    from screen, overhead lighting/glare, angle/height/distance of
    keyboard, etcetera.  The Workman's Compensation Board has already
    warned all Gov't Departments that (a) it is expecting a whole rash
    of RSI Claims within the next 10 years and (b) that WCB will *NOT*
    be held responsible and will not accept such claims under any
    circumstances. Their rationale is that as long as any particular
    Department makes a reasonable effort to inform it's employees of
    what the dangers are, by diseminating all current info as well as
    letting all employees know what ergonomic cautions they should take
    *ON THEIR OWN BEHALF* and make equipment dollars available; then
    the onus falls on the employee to request whatever furniture or
    accessory equipment they need to prevent RSI problems from developing.
    In other words, if the Department sends out this info to all of 
    their employees and gets their signature acknowledging having read
    it - then, if in x years time, the individual raises a claim to 
    the WCB and if the Department and/or WCB can produce the document
    with the individual's signature - then the claim will be disallowed.

    You'll notice that a `standard' typewriter and an A2e keyboard
    (for example), have a steep positive slant/angle of attack for
    the keys. If you hold out your arms in front of you, in a relaxed
    manner (go ahead - no one will see you :-> ) you will see that
    your hands tend to droop downwards, naturally. If you then angle
    your hands as if they were resting on an A2e keyboard; you'll see
    that there is a LARGE angle of difference. The pain I've started
    feeling is minimized when I angle my keyboards at home and at work
    lower and with a NEGATIVE slope/angle of attack. It works for me.

    I've also started using a gelled-cushion wrist-rest in conjunction
    with the negative keyboard angle/placement. My mouse is also low
    and at a negative angle. It tends to scamper away from me, but I
    have a little rubber wall at the back of the keyboard-shelf to
    stop its roaming! I also use an angled foot-rest and a chair with
    good back/lumbar support and a hooded screen to cut glare. My
    understanding of the potential hand/wrist injuries that can develop
    is that it can take years to show up and by then it might be too
    late. Take care of your hands now, is the message I've been getting
    from all the things I've read. Ciao . . .
--
E.A.G.L.E Librarian A3 BBS:403/481-3133  email:tturner@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca