I'm curious how other folks have customized their computer workstations to accommodate for whatever ailment they may have.
Any mouse alternatives, gadgets, custom desks, or really anything anyone does to help them work on the computer for however long is what I'd like to learn more about.
For me, I'm either on my back with a pillow under my knees and a laptop, or at a stand-up workstation. I put a flat-screen monitor on top of a file cabinet and lay a board across an open drawer. On that board is a wireless mouse and keyboard. That way I can stand and nerd out at home.
Anyone else have any good/bad ergonomic scenarios to share?
Any mouse alternatives, gadgets, custom desks, or really anything anyone does to help them work on the computer for however long is what I'd like to learn more about.
For me, I'm either on my back with a pillow under my knees and a laptop, or at a stand-up workstation. I put a flat-screen monitor on top of a file cabinet and lay a board across an open drawer. On that board is a wireless mouse and keyboard. That way I can stand and nerd out at home.
Anyone else have any good/bad ergonomic scenarios to share?
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Re: What helpful computer ergonomic adjustments have you made?
Mon, February 25, 2008 - 12:48 PMDragon Naturally Speaking was worth the investment for me, don't know about other folks. It doesn't instantly jive with your speech patterns, but it learns pretty well. Great for Word documents and emails, a little slow for things like Excel.
~$80 for the software, plus you've got to have a decent sound card and a good headset. Throw away the headset that comes with the software, it's utter crap.
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Re: What helpful computer ergonomic adjustments have you made?
Mon, February 25, 2008 - 1:03 PMWhen I bought the HD tv I made sure I had computer monitor inputs on it so I could hang the LCD on the wall and geek from bed. Some days I cannot sit upright. Also I got a stationary trackball mouse. I do not have to move it so I can use it on a bed or on a desk and it is not dependent upon a surface for traction. also, the trackball I have has 7 programmable functions. The wheel acts as not only a scroll button but also as a multiple scroll horiz and vert scroll. Each button has a function.. and it is also program dependent meaning.. when in a window it acts one way. in my email the buttons do other things... it really helps to not have to type all the time to get the browser to do things... the buttons allow me to swap between windows easily, they also allow me to move forward and back in the browser etc... it takes some time to get used to but its fantastic when you do.
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Re: What helpful computer ergonomic adjustments have you made?
Thu, May 29, 2008 - 9:05 PMI just saw an ad for a Nada Chair that I think I will order - it takes the pressure off your back while you sit at the computer. I really want to work at my computer, but I just ache sometimes -
www.bodymindwisdom.com/produc...rs.html
I will let you know how it works :) -
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Re: What helpful computer ergonomic adjustments have you made?
Tue, June 3, 2008 - 1:02 PMThanks Jill, I'll keep my eyes peeled for your review ;-)
For what its worth, I splurged on one of those "perfect chairs"
www.interhealth.com/n/pages-...page.html
...and found them to be quite comfortable for my low-back nerve-hell issues. That, combined with my laptop and wireless and I can computer for way more time than sitting. I have to switch off between that, standing, and bed with a complex arrangement of pillows.
The MSRP is ~1999.00, however I found some refurbs on Ebay for about $600 less.
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Re: What helpful computer ergonomic adjustments have you made?
Tue, June 3, 2008 - 3:17 PMI use a track ball rather than a mouse. The ball is on top, so you move that with your fingers, rather than silding a mouse around and stressing your arm and wrist.
I don't have anything else special. I just try to follow the old 90 degree rule, the angle of your knees, legs, elbows should all be at 90 degrees. I try to keep my feet down, but that's a bad habit for me, I tend to put them up of curl one under me. I can't imagine working with my keyboard on top of the desk. I've been in some offices like that I just refuse. The keyboard should be adjustable or dropped below the height of a regular desk for most people. You should also be careful that you aren't straining your neck to see the monitor. I have to raise mine up a little, but I just use a phone book.
