3 ms·

yes, we all understand that ergonomics are important. But adjusting the proper chair properly and desk height are just as important for programmer comfort and

by lsc 16y ago

yes, we all understand that ergonomics are important. But adjusting the proper chair properly and desk height are just as important for programmer comfort and health. How come there isn't much discussion of this? most of the hits on a google search for "ergonomic experts" are for 'expert witnesses' for workmans comp trials.

Dylanlacey 16y ago
Because that's where most of the money is made for ergonomics experts, serving as witnesses in trials.
- lsc 16y ago
  clearly. However, there should be some lower-end services targeting small businesses. I mean, most money in outsourced IT is made selling to giant companies... but I can still call up 'geek squad' or any number of services targeted at the small business market that may not give me the same level of service large corps get, but they are often better than nothing for people who know little of IT. My question is where is the equivalent of "geek squad" for ergonomics? Hell, I'd be willing to pay a significantly higher hourly rate than geek squad, just 'cause I don't need the ergo people as often as you need IT.
  - JerryH 16y ago
    It would be a good market, one small org could deal with a lot of local companies, they could also have a side line in 2nd hand chairs & kit from failed status ups etc.
  - wanderr 16y ago
    Search for ergonomics training rather than ergonomics experts.
    - lsc 16y ago
      turns up a lot of interesting free information and chiropractic companies. also a few personal trainer websites. I guess that's about the level of service I got last time I worked at a big corporation.
jrockway 16y ago
I think everyone knows you are supposed to adjust your chair correctly. I recently bought an Embody chair, and it came with a link to a video on how to adjust everything. Something I don't understand, though, is how many desks are around that don't adjust at all. I bought one for use at home and am going to have to replace it soon; its height is unusably high. I've found that if you can't adjust your chair, desk, and monitor, you might as well not be able to adjust anything. Strangely, I have an Aeron chair at work, but of course, the desk does not adjust at all. 8 hours is about my upper limit for dealing with it, so while there are many times when I'm at work and really want to stay late and finish something, my body simply says no. When people want to work for you for free but the $20 desk you bought them doesn't allow it... that's kind of a waste of money. (My company solves this problem by hiring more and more developers. So much for the mythical man month...)
- lsc 16y ago
  but what is "correctly?" what feels best in the short term is not always best in the long term... for example, those wrist rests feel pretty good for a little while, but long term, if you actually rest your wrists on them, they will cause serious problems for your wrists. As for the desk problem, Ikea sells adjustable desks (that can adjust from "on the floor" to "standing desk" in what looks like 1.5" increments) for under two hundred bucks, though you need two guys and fifteen minutes to adjust it. Me, I just set my keyboard on my lap and call it a day.
  - X-Istence 16y ago
    I have the Apple keyboard and was able to do away with the wrist rests. So much better for my wrists as I am able to put my whole arm on the table flat and not have to strain my hands.
    - lsc 16y ago
      my understanding is that putting your wrists on anything is pretty bad. Your wrists, I believe (and I'm not an expert) should be absolutely straight, like you are hitting the heavy bag. "there is no wrist."
babeKnuth 16y ago
i've ran into some personal pains lately (14 hrs + programming sessions), so have done some legwork: http://www.thehumansolution.com/ergonomic-office-desk-chair-keyboard-height-calculator.html http://www.thehumansolution.com/ergonomic-office-desk-chair-... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu8vgHp3Cgs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu8vgHp3Cgs ignore the fact both offer things for sale. informative and insightful nonetheless. good starting points.

by lsc 16y ago

Dylanlacey 16y ago

Because that's where most of the money is made for ergonomics experts, serving as witnesses in trials.

lsc 16y ago
clearly. However, there should be some lower-end services targeting small businesses. I mean, most money in outsourced IT is made selling to giant companies... but I can still call up 'geek squad' or any number of services targeted at the small business market that may not give me the same level of service large corps get, but they are often better than nothing for people who know little of IT. My question is where is the equivalent of "geek squad" for ergonomics? Hell, I'd be willing to pay a significantly higher hourly rate than geek squad, just 'cause I don't need the ergo people as often as you need IT.
- JerryH 16y ago
  It would be a good market, one small org could deal with a lot of local companies, they could also have a side line in 2nd hand chairs & kit from failed status ups etc.
- wanderr 16y ago
  Search for ergonomics training rather than ergonomics experts.
  - lsc 16y ago
    turns up a lot of interesting free information and chiropractic companies. also a few personal trainer websites. I guess that's about the level of service I got last time I worked at a big corporation.

jrockway 16y ago

I think everyone knows you are supposed to adjust your chair correctly. I recently bought an Embody chair, and it came with a link to a video on how to adjust everything. Something I don't understand, though, is how many desks are around that don't adjust at all. I bought one for use at home and am going to have to replace it soon; its height is unusably high. I've found that if you can't adjust your chair, desk, and monitor, you might as well not be able to adjust anything. Strangely, I have an Aeron chair at work, but of course, the desk does not adjust at all. 8 hours is about my upper limit for dealing with it, so while there are many times when I'm at work and really want to stay late and finish something, my body simply says no. When people want to work for you for free but the $20 desk you bought them doesn't allow it... that's kind of a waste of money. (My company solves this problem by hiring more and more developers. So much for the mythical man month...)

lsc 16y ago
but what is "correctly?" what feels best in the short term is not always best in the long term... for example, those wrist rests feel pretty good for a little while, but long term, if you actually rest your wrists on them, they will cause serious problems for your wrists. As for the desk problem, Ikea sells adjustable desks (that can adjust from "on the floor" to "standing desk" in what looks like 1.5" increments) for under two hundred bucks, though you need two guys and fifteen minutes to adjust it. Me, I just set my keyboard on my lap and call it a day.
- X-Istence 16y ago
  I have the Apple keyboard and was able to do away with the wrist rests. So much better for my wrists as I am able to put my whole arm on the table flat and not have to strain my hands.
  - lsc 16y ago
    my understanding is that putting your wrists on anything is pretty bad. Your wrists, I believe (and I'm not an expert) should be absolutely straight, like you are hitting the heavy bag. "there is no wrist."

babeKnuth 16y ago

i've ran into some personal pains lately (14 hrs + programming sessions), so have done some legwork: http://www.thehumansolution.com/ergonomic-office-desk-chair-keyboard-height-calculator.html http://www.thehumansolution.com/ergonomic-office-desk-chair-... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu8vgHp3Cgs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu8vgHp3Cgs ignore the fact both offer things for sale. informative and insightful nonetheless. good starting points.