Peter
Using a tablet might help with your hands, but it might cause problems with
your neck or back as you would always be bending your neck towards it. It
might be best if you used a conventional monitor position, and found a
trackball or trackpad to replace the mouse.
I have had a couple of problems which could be blamed on computer use, or at
least exacerbated by it. I have a back, in the shoulder area, which is made
worse by using a mouse. I have always tried to use the key strokes rather than
mouse movements and this prompted me to increase that tendency. In addition, I
use a large, external trackpad with my iMac or with my MacBook, further
reducing my arm movements than with a mouse.
My other problem is to do with my neck, probably damaged by many applications
of G when flying, but again exacerbated by improper posture at the computer.
To help with this I normally ensure that my monitor is at the correct height
(top level with my eyes) and that I sit properly in a carefully-adjusted chair.
If I use my MacBook for protracted period I tend to put it on a stand and use
an external keyboard as well.
Good luck in finding a solution.
Chris
On 16 Aug 14, at 01:22, Peter Klein <pklein@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Since I retired, I've been online quite a bit, and also playing bassoon more
> than before. Lately, I'm finding my hands are often tired and achy. The last
> time this happened (c. 1990), I stayed in denial too long (didn't want to
> lose my job). I ended up with a pinched nerve in my wrist, had to have
> surgery, and was out of commission for a full year. I don't want this to
> happen again. I'll be seeing a doctor about the current issue soon, but in
> the meantime...
>
> I have a feeling I'll need to curtail my computer usage. I also think the
> major culprit is the computer mouse. So I'm looking for ways to minimize
> mouse use. Unfortunately, a lot of what I do involves the computer. So I was
> thinking, maybe an alternative device like a tablet, iPad or similar might
> help take some of the burden off my hands. Different motions than the desktop
> keyboard/mouse. I could use it for email, groups, Facebook, looking at
> pictures, and save the real computer for important photo editing, composing
> music and such.
>
> So, I ask the collective mind: Have any of you faced this general issue?
> What solutions have you come up with? And if a tablet/pad is a possible
> solution, which specific one, and why?
>
> Other things to know: I have WiFi at home, and I don't need or want to get
> into cell data/mobile plans since I use my Blackberry-like Tracfone for
> travel email. The Tracfone is too small for all but the most rudimentary
> photo viewing, though. I have a Wacom pen and tablet on my desktop computer,
> but I only find this useful/satisfactory for photo editing, not general
> navigation. In the 1990s I tried trackballs and touch pads, and never cared
> much for them. I have no religious attachment to any particular company or
> technology. I do use PCs, not Macs, simply because that's what I always
> worked with.
--
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