Comments on: Tendons, Tablets and Tubigrip

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 03 Jun 2005 18:57:19 +0000

I began to get RSI warning signs in the run up to my dissertation deadline. I am a computer science student and a musician so I’m in two high risk categories. My wrist would start burning after half an hour or so of mouse usage, and I’d always wanted a tablet for graphics work so I got hold of a wacom tablet, the A5 Intuos3. It really does help. Clicking was the main trigger to my problem, and now clicking becomes a ‘prod’ movement with the whole arm which is much more comfortable.

Took a week or so to get accustomed, but I now use it for everything – web browsing, graphics, clicking buttons in windows generally. Wacom provide a replacement nib type which is sort of like a felt pen – much higher friction meaning it doesn’t slip around like the plastic ones. I can still be precise without the need for a mouse.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I’ve been experimenting with Unreal Tournament and Mouse Pens. So far it sort of works well for the snipey type stuff, but having to relearn from the mouse is a pain…

I’m not sure about RSI. I’ve not researched it much because I think its one of those conditions that causes the most pain through worrying about it. Heh. Just thinking about it makes my wrists start hurting.

By: Elly

Elly — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Tony said:
I think its one of those conditions that causes the most pain through worrying about it

I know a number of people with varying degrees of RSI who will back me up when I say:

It’s real. It hurts… lots. Worry about it now and try to avoid getting it.

By: Meri

Meri — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Worse still, Tony, RSI can mean the practical end to your career. I met a woman once whose wrists swell to be bigger than her hands whenever she tries to type. Luckily for her she was in a good job for long enough in a good company that they took steps to help her stay productive.

Can you imagine how you’d carry on in computing if you could neither type nor use a mouse?

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

My own RSI problems are big hindrances in my work life. I need to use the web to evaluate and price books. A database program to catalog them. Sadly my handwriting is intolerable and I don’t think a tablet would work for the software I use at my bookshop.

But it might very well be worth examining for writing my weblogs.

What has diminished my pain some is keeping my keyboard in my lap and using a trackball instead of a mouse. Too much finger motion but less wrist.