I had RSI issues within a few months of starting my first IT job. Some physio therapy and a careful re-organization of my workspace/desk took care of it.
That experience brought ergonomics to the forefront of my consideration when looking at a potential workspace.
Years later I 'inherited' a MS Natural Pro keyboard. The receptionist who had it left, and luckily for me secretary who wanted it couldn't fit it on her keyboard drawer. It was just a little too wide and a little too high. So I got it. I liked it so much that when I saw it on sale I bought 2, 1 for work and 1 for home. That is the PRO, not the Elite version. I hate the reorganized "optimized" "home" etc and arrow keys on the Elite.
Although the ergonomic features of the MS Natural are minor compared to some of your extreme examples they are enough for me. I feel a twinge almost immediately when I have to use a "normal" keyboard.
It would be interesting to be able to try many of the variations to see which is "best", for me. Ergonomics is the one place in "PC" computing that the Personal is truly PERSONAL!
The "advantage" of having a touch pad immediately below the space bar is lost to me. I have that layout on my laptop built-in keyboard. The problem is that I tend to drag and tap my thumb on that exact spot so my cursor and insertion point is constantly jumping around on the screen. Very annoying.
My next ergo project is to re-train myself to touch type using the DVORAK layout.
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Unfortunately, the main problem with keyboards isn't addressed here. Standard keyboards have their keys separated .75 inch 'on center', and this spacing was set over 60 years ago, when the 'average American typist' was 5'4" in her high heels. Now everyone needs to type, and big people with big fingers are trying to keep from hitting three keys at once. Where can one get keyboards with the keys 10% bigger / farther apart - .9" center-to-center seperation ?
If you're a technician who frequently works on other people's systems, try the most inexpensive ergonomic keyboard you can get. You may find, as I did, that constantly switching between the ergo on your desk and the conventional keyboards on your customer systems will drive you nuts. Try a cheap one, and if you stand switching back and forth then go for a good one.
Microsoft's Natural Ergonomic keyboard. Best keyboard switch I ever made. The end of wrist pain, and my typing speed near doubled. lol
Won't go back to a 'normal' keyboard.
As Palmetto noted, moving back and forth between an ergonomic and a regular keyboard is a pita.
etu
(Must be this lappie non-ergonomic keyboard.)
Won't go back to a 'normal' keyboard.
As Palmetto noted, moving back and forth between an ergonomic and a regular keyboard is a pita.
etu
(Must be this lappie non-ergonomic keyboard.)
Nor do I understand "natural position", except with, ah, other acts.
If God had meant us to type...instead of to...ah...
If God had meant us to type...instead of to...ah...
I've often wondered if the best ergonomic keyboards were the old IBM AT keyboards, and the Keytronic keyboards sold a bit later.
Those keyboards were huge, and shaped in a curve so the middle row was lower than the top and bottom rows. And the keytronics were even better, with just an amazing key action.
I don't remember people getting carpel tunnel back then. Later, of course, all the computer manufacturers went to the real cheap keyboards we use today.
I'd love to get one of those keytronics today.
Those keyboards were huge, and shaped in a curve so the middle row was lower than the top and bottom rows. And the keytronics were even better, with just an amazing key action.
I don't remember people getting carpel tunnel back then. Later, of course, all the computer manufacturers went to the real cheap keyboards we use today.
I'd love to get one of those keytronics today.
I am disapointed that you do not say a word about the fantastic Typematrix ( www.typematrix.com )
Spot on. I switched years ago and will never go back to a standard keyboard. Would love to see you do the same list for the most ergonomic and pain-free mouse.
I've uses a Perfit Contour mouse for over five years. They're pricey ($90), but they come in four right-handed sizes and three lefty sizes. Check the sizing template on their website before ordering.
www.contourdesign.com
www.contourdesign.com
But hey, that's me. I'm the first to say use whatever you like best!
But I used ergonimic mice of varying types and prices for years and continued having wrist pain. Having used a Razer Copperhead for over a year, my pain has gone away. It was odd getting used to, but I like it so much I bought a second one for work. That's saying alot cause I'm a cheap sob!
The copperhead is of decent size, but it is more of a fingertip mouse and took some getting used to. The back of my palm rests on the mouse pad most of the time and I (unknowingly until recently) use my thumb and ring finger to control movement. Sounds awkward and ridiculous, but my wrist pain is gone. The mouse's really, really light weight may contribute. I hated that at first, but again I now love it so much I have two. Not to mention the pulsating blue logo screams uber geek.
On another note, I started going to the gym on a regular basis over a year ago or so when I bought my first copperhead, so that may well be a contributing factor as well. Either way, the mouse is comfortable and I've never been so fond of a piece of hardware that I bought a second one for workk. Most importantly, I have no wrist pain anymore and I'm satisfied.
Edit!!: I also messed up my wrists and broke a few metacarpal shafts in both hands so that may also skew my results a bit. It was a case of motorcycle vs Cadillac when I was younger, guess who got the short end of the deal!
But I used ergonimic mice of varying types and prices for years and continued having wrist pain. Having used a Razer Copperhead for over a year, my pain has gone away. It was odd getting used to, but I like it so much I bought a second one for work. That's saying alot cause I'm a cheap sob!
The copperhead is of decent size, but it is more of a fingertip mouse and took some getting used to. The back of my palm rests on the mouse pad most of the time and I (unknowingly until recently) use my thumb and ring finger to control movement. Sounds awkward and ridiculous, but my wrist pain is gone. The mouse's really, really light weight may contribute. I hated that at first, but again I now love it so much I have two. Not to mention the pulsating blue logo screams uber geek.
On another note, I started going to the gym on a regular basis over a year ago or so when I bought my first copperhead, so that may well be a contributing factor as well. Either way, the mouse is comfortable and I've never been so fond of a piece of hardware that I bought a second one for workk. Most importantly, I have no wrist pain anymore and I'm satisfied.
Edit!!: I also messed up my wrists and broke a few metacarpal shafts in both hands so that may also skew my results a bit. It was a case of motorcycle vs Cadillac when I was younger, guess who got the short end of the deal!
One problem that many people gloss over as 'relatively unimportant' deals with the placement of certain number keys. As a touch typist that never uses the 10 key pad, the number keys above the letters are extremely important. The first finger on each hand controls more than one key (4 & 5 for the left hand, 6 & 7 for the right hand). However, of the 8 keyboards listed above that use normal keys (discounting #'s 8 & 9 above), fully half of the keyboards (#'s 1,3,4,5) have the '6' key in the wrong place. They have that key on the left hand side of the split, making the left pointer finger control 3 keys (4,5,6). As a touch typist, this drives me nuts! Anyone else find this to be an important issue? I won't buy a keyboard that has it in the wrong place no matter how nice it is. I have had to work with this issue since I started using ergo keyboards and it is a royal pain. I have tried using the wireless Microsoft Ergo keyboard, but it can't consistently keep up with my typing speed. Maybe I just have too many issues ... issues ... issues... ;p)
I've noticed that on a couple of keyboards my users have. I reach with the right index finger and there's nothing there. I recall a model that moved the 'B' over to the right side, but that may be a 'senior moment'.
I've used a Kinesis advantage for years and I am very happy with it, however, it is loud and now I am sharing office space with coworkers. Which of the keyboards above is the quietest?
I really appreciate your effort in checking out ergonomic keyboards for us who want, need and will buy them. I had already done my research but your article showed me the one that would do the best for me. I wanted to take the time to tell you I bought the Kinesis Freestyle Vip at Amazon.com with attachments for $125.00. I bought a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard six months go and it broke down three times. It has a 2 year warranty. I was sent a replacement the first time. The second time they fixed it online and the third time I could not find any help at Microsoft for any malfunctioning warranted product. I live in costa Rica and it is nearly impossible to deal with warranties here. Hopefully I have a good one. Thanks again. Halle
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