May 2, 2002 at 7:34 am
Some time ago, I started having signs of repetitive stress injury. As a result, I started looking around for ways to relieve the stress on my hands.
I started to learn to type with the Dvorak layout. It has taken a lot longer than expected to get up to speed, but now that I know it, I wonder why all of us don't learn to type that way to begin with. It drastically cuts down finger movement. The side benefit is increased typing speeds.
About the same time I bought a Kinesis keyboard. It is split like the MS Natural, but the keys are cupped, as though in the bottom of a bowl, so that the fingers don't have to travel so far. The space, enter, delete, and other keys are all under the thumbs. The thumbs are the strongest fingers we have, and further reduces stress on the other fingers.
Finally, I have a GyroMouse, which replaces my worn out, original GyroPoint. This mouse can be picked up. The gyros follow the movement of your hand. It can also be used like a normal mouse.
I have discovered that most of my colleagues won't touch my keyboard, even if I offer to switch it to QWERTY (the keyboard layout almost everyone uses.) While a nice security feature 🙂 , sometimes I wish it wasn't so drastically different that people won't consider using it. Sometimes people will try picking up the mouse. I think, bottom line, people don't have enough time to get used to it.
Steve Miller
SIL International
Steve Miller
May 2, 2002 at 8:09 am
I have tried the split keyboards and have to say I love them except the fact i am a hunt and peck typer and this forces me to try to type regular which I can somewhat do on this boards. Also the natural writs positions help relieve stress there. Love the gyro mouse but cannot get one anytime soon. ANd have not tried Dvorak but may give a swing one day to see what it is like.
"Don't roll your eyes at me. I will tape them in place." (Teacher on Boston Public)
May 2, 2002 at 8:16 am
>> Love the gyro mouse but cannot get one
Did you have one and it died? I've never heard of anyone loving the mouse if they haven't spent some time getting used to it.
Steve
Steve Miller
May 2, 2002 at 8:32 am
Actually have a friend who owns one and yes it is awkward at first and takes a bit getting used to. However is much better than the first generation was which had odd tendecies not to pick up the movements properly and your mouse would be everywhere but where you intended,
"Don't roll your eyes at me. I will tape them in place." (Teacher on Boston Public)
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