Hi Les, A forum you might find useful: http://geekhack.org/. They have sub-forums (under keyboards) dedicated to ergonomic designs & alternative layouts.
I haven't gone down the ergonomic path beyond trying my friend's trackball (Logitech Trackman Marble). That particular one felt like it was missing something with no scrollwheel. I do like the look of the Logitech M570 you linked. Regards, Victor -----Original Message----- From: ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com [mailto:ozdotnet-boun...@ozdotnet.com] On Behalf Of Les Hughes Sent: Wednesday, 6 July 2011 9:52 PM To: ozDotNet Subject: Keyboard & Mouse Ergonomics + Qwerty/Dvorak/Colemak Hey All, This is kind of long (eeep), but here goes: Lately I've have been getting a little tense in my mid-right back area and right wrist which I believe is been caused by a lot of the mouse work I've been doing over the past few weeks in which my right arm is constantly extended out around 30-40 centimetres from the home position on the keyboard. I thought here would be a good place to ask for advice in how everyone else, whom, like me, spends upwards of 60 hours per week behind their battlestations. (check: http://www.reddit.com/r/battlestations for info on 'battlestations') The main areas I am currently looking at are Keyboards, Mice, and Keyboard Layouts. Keyboards ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I currently use a Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard ( http://www.microsoft.com/australia/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/images/products/nek4k/mk_productdetails_nek4k.jpg ) and am starting to think that the space between the right control key (below the right shift and enter keys) where the arrow buttons and numeric pad are just get in the way. So far I am thinking about moving to a smaller keyboard to limit the space I need to move for the mouse, ideas so far are the - Truly Ergonomic keyboard @ http://www.trulyergonomic.com/images/Truly_Ergonomic_Keyboard.jpg & http://www.trulyergonomic.com ) - Kinesis Freestlye VIP @ http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/freestyle-vip_648x339.jpg - http://www.kinesis-ergo.com Mouses - mice, mices :P ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am leaning towards a trackball, but have also considered something more vertical: - Kensington Expert Trackball @ http://www.smartmadesimple.com.au/Products/images/Zoom/z64325%20Expert%20Mouse.jpg (favourite so far) - Logitec M570 @ http://www.logitech.com/assets/32954/4/logitech-wireless-trackball-m570.png - EZ Vertical Mouse @ http://www.auzspec.com.au/media/274270427lMSEZ1L.jpg Keyboard Layouts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Perhaps a religious battle, but: I was thinking if I am going to go along the whole self improvement route with better devices, why not visit my keyboard layouts? Most of us use QWERTY: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QWERTY Much of my reading seems to point towards qwerty being a terrible layout, and something that should have died with the typewriter (it's keylayout is meant to slow you down, and has more to do with stopping those thingies on the typewriter from getting stuck together... those who have used typewriters will know what I mean) Besides QWERTY, there are a few others that seem to be gaining traction, they are: DVORAK: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout#Dvorak Colemak: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout#Colemak Colemak so far looks the most appealing to me if I were to change, http://colemak.com/ has a good explanation of the keyboard, but seems to be down right now :/ The questions: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Has anyone gone down the ergonomic path, and what did end up doing? - Are there any recommended keyboard/mouse combinations that you think are worthwhile? - Does anyone think a smaller kayboard is better development with a numeric pad on the left or a USB external one? - Trackballs: yay or nay? - Has anyone changed their keyboard layout, and if so, would you recommend it? ------------------------------------------------- Hopefully this isn't too early for the week (not friday), but I'd be really interested in any feedback anyone has. Thanks heaps :) -- Les Hughes l...@datarev.com.au
