[ILUG] Any advice for RSI?

[Conor Daly]

On Sat, Jan 02, 2010 at 12:07:16AM +0000 or so it is rumoured hereabouts, 
Brendan Kehoe thought:
> Hi Rory,
> 
> I too was diagnosed with RSI now about 15 years ago.  Big helps: go to a
> professional who can diagnose this properly (get a referral); learn the
> Dvorak keyboard layout---you'll type for longer with drastically less
> pain, even if it takes a few weeks to get back to the speed you like;

I moved to Dvorak layout a number of years ago and love it.  Took a while
to get used to it and I do end up making the odd mistake if I have to use
a qwerty board once in a while.

I bought a number of dvorak hardware-switchable keyboards so no software
layout worries for me.

> force yourself with a whip to take regular typing breaks (while

I used to use workrave but I seem to have lost it recently.  I found it
useful as it would lock the keyboard to enforce breaks (allowing the odd
postponement if required).  It uses 'microbreaks' (5 seconds every 2 or 3
min) as well as longer normal breaks every 20 or 30 min.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/workrave/

> I switched to using Microsoft Natural Keyboards and now a MS Wireless
> Comfort Keyboard, and definitely find them much more comfortable.  (But
> after getting it, learn Dvorak.)  As much as I'm all
> free-software-advocacy, their ergonomic keyboard layout is the most
> useful I've discovered so far.

I've been using a TypeMatrix JME-2020 board for years now.  I currently
have 3, one at work, two at home.  Hardware switchable between
Qwerty/Dvorak, flat board, Enter, Tab and backspace keys in the middle
thus spreading the home position.  Big keys with less reaching (Dvorak).
No separate keypad so less movement to the mouse.  I prefer the 2020 to
the 2030.
http://www.typematrix.com/2020_2030_compare/

 
> When used under X, this made sure I had to use buttons and pull-down
> menus instead of typing stuff (like C-x-everything).

Interesting that.  I tend to use kb shortcuts as much as possible such
that I use the mouse only to switch desktops when coding and prefer
<alt><tab> to switch windows rather than reaching for the mouse...

Conor
-- 
Conor Daly <conor.daly at cod.homelinux.org>
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