Help: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?

Subject: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 01:42 AM

I've been thinking about trying an ergonomic keyboard with the built in little touch pad-mouse. Carpal tunnel, sore whatever muscle it is from the thumb up the arm, from cradling the mouse, both have me wondering if one of those types would help.

Any of you have any experience with them? What do you think of them?

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Help: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?
From: GUEST,Mbo_at_ECU
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 10:11 AM

Kat, I had an ergonomic keyboard for a few years...it didn't have the little mouse thingy, but it was great. It made your hands feels so much freer (?). It was also great for computer games that use keyboard controls (like Command & Conquer). It was very hard to get used to using regular keyboards again. Wish I still had that thing...

Subject: RE: Help: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 10:16 AM

My firm won't spring for one, but I did get a keyboard drawer that has a little mouse place that you can move separately from the keyboard thing (hard to explain without gestures). At any rate my mouse is now next to ME, not next to the keyboard, which has helped my shoulder tremendously.

Subject: RE: Help: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?
From: GUEST,Alex H.
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 11:20 AM

I had a carpal tunnel scare and found that most of my problems were caused by the mouse. I tried several and ended up with LOGITECH Trackman Marble FX. Funny looking but effective. I'm not saying that my mouse will work for you. I am saying that there's a lot of variety in mouse styles these days and switching from a traditional mouse worked for me. Also, my carpal tunnel scare made me get really serious about proper arm placement. I found that I needed to keep my entire forearm on a flat surface and religiously use a wrist support in addition to the new mouse.

Subject: RE: Help: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?
From: mousethief
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 11:38 AM

I have no experience with mouse alternatives (it's a loyalty thing) but I have really enjoyed my ergomatic keyboard (Microsoft version). As much as I hate to praise anything with the antichrist's logo on it, MS makes a fine ergo keyboard.

If I had one complaint it's that you can't type the 6 with your right hand like they taught us in typing back in 11th grade. Then again if I have a lot of numbers to crunch I use the keypad.

Alex
O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: Help: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 01:28 PM

Yes! I have one at work and I love it. It's a "Microsoft Natural Keyboard." It's several years old. I don't know if it's the same as what's available today. It enables you to keep your wrists straight while you type. Once you get used to it, ordinary keyboards feel uncomfortable. That's one reason why I only like to use the computer at work and not the one at home, which doesn't have it.

It's also important to have your keyboard at the right height, which is just about level with the armrests on a comfortable chair. An ordinary desktop is too high, unless you have a high chair (and that might cause other problems). About 4 inches lower than a standard desk (if there is such a thing) is about right for me. Mine is on a slide-out shelf, which is just right.

Subject: RE: Help: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?
From: radriano
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 01:33 PM

I have a "Microsoft Natural Keyboard" too. They really do help, for all the reasons others have already mentioned. If you do a lot of inputting it's really important to keep those wrists straight. Relearning to type the "6" key is worth it.


Regards,
Radriano

Subject: RE: Help: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?
From: Mbo
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 01:33 PM

The one I had was by Reveal. It was really good.

Subject: RE: Help: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?
From: DougR
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 01:37 PM

One of the secretaries in our office had to have surgery for carpal tunnel. The company bought her one of those new fangled ergonomic keyboards and she swore by it. Loved it.

I think something can be said for checking into a different mouse too, as has already been suggested. My son just got one that you operate by rolling a disk with your index finger rather than punching down on top of the mouse. It also has a control on either side of the mouse but I've forgotten the purpose for those. I just took a look at it last weekend and tried it awhile. It really relieved the pressure one feels sometimes form using a conventional mouse.

DougR

Subject: RE: Help: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?
From: Lanfranc
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 04:23 PM

I swear by my Microsoft Natural Keyboard and Intellimouse Trackball, and would recommend the former to anyone who can, or can learn to, touch type. They are a bit of a bugger for the two fingered hunt and peck brigade, however. Trackballs rock once you've tried one.

On the other hand, I did a week's concentrated work on a standard laptop keyboard and ended up with an RSI.

QED

Subject: RE: Help: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 04:48 PM

Thanks! I am going to get one of these and see what happens. I do have the thing at a good lower level, had to to save my shoulders and I do try ot keep my wrists flat without wearing a cumbersome brace, but my fingers get sore and my thumb muscle, so...it's the mouse is the thing, mostly, so I will take your advice(s)about mice(s) and get me a new one!

Thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: Help: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 07:56 PM

I tried one of those ergonomic thingies and completely screwed up.. I learned to touch type, have the monitor more than 18 inches away from my head (about 3-4 feet away if I can) and kept missing the home keys. Also, the keypads are always set up for right handers, us lefties need keypads too you know.... having a tab on both sides was infinitely more useful than having a control on both sides. I learned on a thing that had a slope like the north face of the Eiger, so a wrist support is very useful, although at work, I'm not typing great lengths of text like I do here, so it isn't so bad. I find a good high footrest solves a lot of my strain problems. A nice high chair, with a suitably raised footrest, and I'm happy.

LTS

Subject: RE: Help: Ergonomic computer keyboards-any good?
From: Escamillo
Date: 29 Sep 00 - 12:52 AM

One thing not mentioned here, that could help: I still use an old Radio-Schack desk, metal and thick plywood, which has its front edge lowered 1 inch. I mean, the surface bends down in a smooth angle , so you place your arms on a slope and not on the horizontal surface. For more cushioning, I lye a tablecloth folded in eight over my working area. My desk resembles an italian restaurant, but it is very comfortable.

Un abrazo - Andrés