8 ms·

That cheap mice and keyboards will ruin ones hands beyond repair after years of heavy use. Don't be that person. Learn to type and invest in your hardware earl

That cheap mice and keyboards will ruin ones hands beyond repair after years of heavy use. Don't be that person. Learn to type and invest in your hardware early on.

jszymborski 7y ago
Do you have specific suggestions re: peripherals. I've been using the Logitech MX Vertical Wireless lately and it's been a huge improvement from my previous bulky Logitech G600. I'm wondering if there are keyboard set-ups people really like? I'm enjoying my Gigabyte mechanical keyboard, but would be willing to give it up for something that'll let me get more mileage out of my hands/arms.
- warp 7y ago
  I've used split keyboards since the original Microsoft Natural keyboard. Split keyboards are a must for me, to reduce strain on my wrists. I'm now using a Kinesis Gaming keyboard, which is the only split keyboard I found with Cherry MX switches (I'm using browns).
- molteanu 7y ago
  Mechanical keyboards are nice and all, but by default they still don't solve for that awkward hand position. Take a good look at your hands while you type. Your wrist is bent sideways, your fingers are higher than the base of your wrist since the later is standing on your desk, but the keys are much higher than the desk. Also, since your hands are quite close to one another, you tend to hunch. Now your back will have some problems. Your strongest fingers both reach just one key, the spacebar, meaning all the other important keys and modifiers are to be reached with some good gymnastics from your part. Those are some unnatural positions you might find your hands in. I'm actually pressing both Ctrl keys with my palms, that being very handy in Emacs, but that brings again problems for the wrists. So, for all these, I think the natural solution is to use a split mechanical keyboard with extra/configurable keys. The position of the hands seems to be more natural with these, https://ergodox-ez.com/ https://ergodox-ez.com/ https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/ https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/ https://www.dygma.com/product/dygma-raise/ https://www.dygma.com/product/dygma-raise/ http://www.mistelkeyboard.com/barocco-series/ http://www.mistelkeyboard.com/barocco-series/ I haven't tried any of those since I can't seem to decide on one of them yet, but the hand pain is real after years of heavy use, so better try and become familiar with other layouts and find out what works best for your hands. The sad part is that you might not know that something doesn't work until it's too late. As for the mouse, switching hands helps. So try learning how to use the mouse with the other hand.
  - SamReidHughes 7y ago
    The key press quality of keyboards affects ergonomics too. It doesn’t have to be mechanical, but some cheap keyboards are heinous.
- vosper 7y ago
  I really like the MS Sculpt keyboard. I use it with a Mac, my wife uses hers with her Windows machine. I also recently learned about proper desk posture - I now sit with my stomach just touching the desk, and my keyboard is way further forward. My forearms rest on the desk almost all the way to my elbows, and my wrists rest on the keyboards wrist pads. I find that this greatly reduces the strain on my arms and wrists.
  - omnimus 7y ago
    Although it looks terrible tables with that little arch cutout are pretty smart for this reason. Especially on standing desk.
- otras 7y ago
  I use a Kinesis Freestyle2 split keyboard at my day job, mostly because it was one of the available split keyboards available through my work. I really enjoy it so far. The split lets my shoulders maintain a naturally open position, and the tenting allows a neutral wrist position (but unfortunately my hands are too big for the built-in wrist rests). The only downsides were some initial soreness (I think my shoulders were used to being hunched/turned in), some initially missed keys (it turns out I used to type the letter y with my left index finger, which isn't possible with the split), and more difficulty typing one handed. Side benefit is that I have a good place to put my coffee and snacks. Related to shoulders, I found that raising my monitors with arms (budget option: programming books) greatly help reduce the natural leaned-over hunch I'd get from looking down at my monitor. These two in combination have greatly helped my default posture.
- projectileboy 7y ago
  keyboard.io has made it possible for me to touch type without shooting pain.
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
- copperx 7y ago
  Kinesis Advantage. I bought one because my advisor had one. I got sticker shock. Spent a big chunk of my then salary on one. Spent a week getting used to it. After 10 years, it is safe to say I will use a Kinesis until I die. It's the perfect keyboard.
  - mruts 7y ago
    I’m surprised they aren’t more popular. I’ve been using mine for 10 years as well and I doubt a better keyboard exists. Also, they are built to last. I’m still using my original Kinesis and it’s held up perfectly, besides the finger grime.
proverbialbunny 7y ago
Really? I have an exercise ball which works pretty well.
- mosiuerbarso 7y ago
  I second this. A friend of mine recommend I get a balance ball me slumping. It has helped me maintain a better posture when working at a desk
lutorm 7y ago
This is important, but some people use crappy keyboards all their life and never have problems. I think more important is learning to be in touch with your body and applying corrections if and when things start feeling wrong. Unfortunately that's the kind of thing you learn from pain, though...
aequitas 7y ago
Expensive ones will ruin them just as well, for me the size matters a lot. I love Apple products but I can't stand their mice. They are just too small. The previous model (with the knob) and the current touch models are just instant CTS inducers for me (same as typing while standing, wrists bent). I stuck with large mice (Logitech gamer mice) and good touchpad (Apple) for the last few years and haven't had any issues since.
- omnimus 7y ago
  Apple mice are terrible. They are not made for daily use. My gf with wrist/arm problems swears for Logitech vertical mouse.She had Mx master before but the vertical one helped her a lot. I was also suprised Logitech wireless mice charge last for long time.

That cheap mice and keyboards will ruin ones hands beyond repair after years of heavy use. Don't be that person. Learn to type and invest in your hardware early on.

jszymborski 7y ago

Do you have specific suggestions re: peripherals. I've been using the Logitech MX Vertical Wireless lately and it's been a huge improvement from my previous bulky Logitech G600. I'm wondering if there are keyboard set-ups people really like? I'm enjoying my Gigabyte mechanical keyboard, but would be willing to give it up for something that'll let me get more mileage out of my hands/arms.

warp 7y ago
I've used split keyboards since the original Microsoft Natural keyboard. Split keyboards are a must for me, to reduce strain on my wrists. I'm now using a Kinesis Gaming keyboard, which is the only split keyboard I found with Cherry MX switches (I'm using browns).
molteanu 7y ago
Mechanical keyboards are nice and all, but by default they still don't solve for that awkward hand position. Take a good look at your hands while you type. Your wrist is bent sideways, your fingers are higher than the base of your wrist since the later is standing on your desk, but the keys are much higher than the desk. Also, since your hands are quite close to one another, you tend to hunch. Now your back will have some problems. Your strongest fingers both reach just one key, the spacebar, meaning all the other important keys and modifiers are to be reached with some good gymnastics from your part. Those are some unnatural positions you might find your hands in. I'm actually pressing both Ctrl keys with my palms, that being very handy in Emacs, but that brings again problems for the wrists. So, for all these, I think the natural solution is to use a split mechanical keyboard with extra/configurable keys. The position of the hands seems to be more natural with these, https://ergodox-ez.com/ https://ergodox-ez.com/ https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/ https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/ https://www.dygma.com/product/dygma-raise/ https://www.dygma.com/product/dygma-raise/ http://www.mistelkeyboard.com/barocco-series/ http://www.mistelkeyboard.com/barocco-series/ I haven't tried any of those since I can't seem to decide on one of them yet, but the hand pain is real after years of heavy use, so better try and become familiar with other layouts and find out what works best for your hands. The sad part is that you might not know that something doesn't work until it's too late. As for the mouse, switching hands helps. So try learning how to use the mouse with the other hand.
- SamReidHughes 7y ago
  The key press quality of keyboards affects ergonomics too. It doesn’t have to be mechanical, but some cheap keyboards are heinous.
vosper 7y ago
I really like the MS Sculpt keyboard. I use it with a Mac, my wife uses hers with her Windows machine. I also recently learned about proper desk posture - I now sit with my stomach just touching the desk, and my keyboard is way further forward. My forearms rest on the desk almost all the way to my elbows, and my wrists rest on the keyboards wrist pads. I find that this greatly reduces the strain on my arms and wrists.
- omnimus 7y ago
  Although it looks terrible tables with that little arch cutout are pretty smart for this reason. Especially on standing desk.
otras 7y ago
I use a Kinesis Freestyle2 split keyboard at my day job, mostly because it was one of the available split keyboards available through my work. I really enjoy it so far. The split lets my shoulders maintain a naturally open position, and the tenting allows a neutral wrist position (but unfortunately my hands are too big for the built-in wrist rests). The only downsides were some initial soreness (I think my shoulders were used to being hunched/turned in), some initially missed keys (it turns out I used to type the letter y with my left index finger, which isn't possible with the split), and more difficulty typing one handed. Side benefit is that I have a good place to put my coffee and snacks. Related to shoulders, I found that raising my monitors with arms (budget option: programming books) greatly help reduce the natural leaned-over hunch I'd get from looking down at my monitor. These two in combination have greatly helped my default posture.
projectileboy 7y ago
keyboard.io has made it possible for me to touch type without shooting pain.
deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
copperx 7y ago
Kinesis Advantage. I bought one because my advisor had one. I got sticker shock. Spent a big chunk of my then salary on one. Spent a week getting used to it. After 10 years, it is safe to say I will use a Kinesis until I die. It's the perfect keyboard.
- mruts 7y ago
  I’m surprised they aren’t more popular. I’ve been using mine for 10 years as well and I doubt a better keyboard exists. Also, they are built to last. I’m still using my original Kinesis and it’s held up perfectly, besides the finger grime.

proverbialbunny 7y ago

Really? I have an exercise ball which works pretty well.

mosiuerbarso 7y ago
I second this. A friend of mine recommend I get a balance ball me slumping. It has helped me maintain a better posture when working at a desk

lutorm 7y ago

This is important, but some people use crappy keyboards all their life and never have problems. I think more important is learning to be in touch with your body and applying corrections if and when things start feeling wrong. Unfortunately that's the kind of thing you learn from pain, though...

aequitas 7y ago

Expensive ones will ruin them just as well, for me the size matters a lot. I love Apple products but I can't stand their mice. They are just too small. The previous model (with the knob) and the current touch models are just instant CTS inducers for me (same as typing while standing, wrists bent). I stuck with large mice (Logitech gamer mice) and good touchpad (Apple) for the last few years and haven't had any issues since.

omnimus 7y ago
Apple mice are terrible. They are not made for daily use. My gf with wrist/arm problems swears for Logitech vertical mouse.She had Mx master before but the vertical one helped her a lot. I was also suprised Logitech wireless mice charge last for long time.