A case for ergonomics!
So I ordered this "mouse-friendly keyboard" at work (it's mouse-friendly assuming you keep your mouse to your right), and I would argue more keyboards should be designed in this fashion (barring any patent infringements, of course). Now, my right arm doesn't have to reach as far to move the mouse, and my keyboard is centered to my monitor....I don't think a lot of people have considered this apparent design flaw in their own work stations. Yes, it may be that I have fallen for their propaganda, but I think they present a compelling case.
This company also makes a vertical mouse which looks very interesting as well, but I took a different route and got a trackball mouse instead...it's working nicely.
My rant:
It seems to me that despite all the advances in computer technology, ergonomics is struggling to keep up: you can have the latest and greatest PC from 2007, but your keyboard+monitor+mouse setup will often be from the 90s. Where's the Ergo 2.0 revolution?! This is a very dangerous precedent, because as a generation that grew up with the rise of the personal computer and use it increasingly for work and pleasure, we really don't know what state a lifetime of poor ergonomics will leave us with. Twenty-first century knowledge workers should make this a priority in their workplace/school as it may come back to haunt them in the form of repetitive strain injuries.
This company also makes a vertical mouse which looks very interesting as well, but I took a different route and got a trackball mouse instead...it's working nicely.
My rant:
It seems to me that despite all the advances in computer technology, ergonomics is struggling to keep up: you can have the latest and greatest PC from 2007, but your keyboard+monitor+mouse setup will often be from the 90s. Where's the Ergo 2.0 revolution?! This is a very dangerous precedent, because as a generation that grew up with the rise of the personal computer and use it increasingly for work and pleasure, we really don't know what state a lifetime of poor ergonomics will leave us with. Twenty-first century knowledge workers should make this a priority in their workplace/school as it may come back to haunt them in the form of repetitive strain injuries.
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