Webmaster Ergonomics
Besides YouTube and forums, one of the biggest productivity killers for webmasters is carpel tunnel and other repetitive strain injuries. Late last year I hit a major roadblock, hardly able to do more than 40 minutes of serious work at a time.
The first thing to do is make sure your computer workstation is set up properly. Chair height, table height, screen height — it all matters. OSHA has a great illustration of what your setup should look like.
The second thing is to make sure you have a good ergonomic keyboard. Last year I got rid of my old keyboard and standard Microsoft mouse and purchased an Adesso keyboard with a Glidepoint touchpad built in to the center. Besides having a more natural key layout, the touchpad in the center means I am not constantly shifting my hands around to use the mouse. The downside is this should take you several days to get used to, and you may even feel a productivity drop for weeks.
Or in my case it hurts the wrist more using the center touchpad and you wind up selling it for a good deal
LOL.
I did just get a new keyboard tray, and arm with 7″ of adjustability up and down, 15* tilt adjust, swivel, slide, twist, and lift and lock no lever… hope it helps me find that perfect position
I’d pay a pro to “help” with my enviroment and set me up perfect but it seems like they know as much as we do since we use the stuff all day.
Comment by ToddW — April 24, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
Todd,
There is also some break software out there that forces you to take breaks. Stretches are also important. The cause of CTS can even be in the neck, if its not going away after work place corrections (general Posture). Diaphragmatic breathing helps since while using the computer, we tend to breathe shallow.
cheers
Xed
Comment by xed — April 24, 2007 @ 10:25 pm
haha, sorry about that one Todd. Hand size and position might have been part of the issue? I had some level of discomfort when I first used it but using a mouse had become so painful it actually felt fine.
I am beginning to think there is no *perfect* position; rather, no matter what you do stress and pressure is being applied somewhere.
Comment by Andrew — April 24, 2007 @ 11:43 pm
Xed: I have that software, it was more annoying than helpful. I don’t bring water or food much to the desk to force myself to get up and walk around.
Hehe no prob
I think hand size has a lot to do with what mouse people should use. I’m coming to realize that my G7 may be slightly to small thus forcing my wrist to wrest on the mousepad causing some weird stress points. The new microsoft mouse I got is a LOT larger but I can tell it’s not as precise as my G7.
I have that Evolunt(sp?) mouse that I didn’t like, it’s the sideways one if you want it let me know.
I think the layout depends on the person and it also depends on what they are doing. If you use the keyboard more than the mouse then you’ll want that perfect if you use the mouse more than the keyboard you’ll want that perfect, and also depending what you use depends on the stress. As I type this my wrists are fine but as soon as I start navigating the mouse my wrist and arm start to ache.
I also think having done this (internet stuff) for 10yrs and been using a computer ” a lot ” for over 15 (BBS days!) my wrist may just need the operation and I’ll be fine. Who knows!
What I can say is that I think testing new equipment to improve your health is important. Not only could you feel better but it could improve your performance and improve your income.
-Todd
Comment by ToddW — April 25, 2007 @ 12:22 am