Keyboard Position?

[czglory]

So, standard computer desks have a top part, and a keyboard tray. Is it best for your hands/joints to have them up near the monitors (keyboard and mouse), have both on the keyboard tray, or have the keyboard on keyboard tray, and mouse up top??

Which would be best for prevention of carpal tunnel and other problems? best for comfort?

 

[Kaido]

I can't comment on position, but I made two changes that greatly benefited me in terms of reducing/eliminating wrist/arm pain:

1. Get an ergonomic keyboard: The best kind are from Microsoft. I'm not talking about their curved keyboard, but rather their split-ergonomic keyboards. The 4000 model is the wired keyboard and the 7000 model is the wireless keyboard. Either one will do. It took me a couple weeks to get used to typing on but once I got used to it my wrist pain went away. It only comes back when I use a laptop keyboard now (or a straight desktop keyboard for long periods of time).

2. Get a fingertip mouse: There are two kinds of mice: palm and fingertip. I am a big fan of palm mice, like the Logitech MX510 or MX1000, but I recently changed to a fingertip mouse (Logitech VX Revolution notebook mouse) and that has helped quite a bit. Rather than resting your entire hand in what feels like an ergonomic position on a palm mouse, a fingertip mouse just uses your fingertips for movement and clicking. I don't know why the palm mouse wouldn't be better, but the fingertip mouse has reduced my wrist pain. The Razer mice are also good (I had a Copperhead that was really nice but wanted wireless).

I also got a couple giant mousepads to cover my desk with. It creates a softer surface for my entire workspace. I use two Ripper XXL pads from Xtrac:

http://www.xtracpads.com/produ...hp?prod_id=5&section=1

I work on computers from sun up to sun down and ergonomics have proved very important for me in terms of being able to work the whole day without getting fatigued. I also recommend getting a quality LCD monitor. I had eye strain problems with my old CRT. I then upgraded to a 19" 4:3 analog LCD, but still had eye strain problems. After that I got a 20" widescreen with DVI which helped immensely. I currently use a 24" widescreen LCD over DVI - no more eye strain at all. I considered a 30", but aside from being hideously expensive, I had to turn my head to see the edges of the screen - not good for fighting fatigue. So a 20" or 24" LCD is a really good purchase if you work on computers a lot.

Chairs and posture also make a big difference, especially in terms of back, neck, and shoulder pain. I've found that soft, cushy chairs - while comfortable to sit in - are not good for using for long periods of time. I got an office task chair - a small amount of padding with a straight-up back - and it has been great for my back. Be sure to get out and exercise and walk around every few hours, even if it's only to get a drink or use the bathroom.

 

[spacejamz]

one other tip is keep your shoulders square while typing...people have a tendency to curve their shoulders in which creates bad posture....

if you viewed yourself from above your shoulders should like this: ------

not like this: \_____/

hope this makes sense...

If you try to keep your shoulders square by consciously sticking the middle of your chest out, it also helps strengthen your core....