4 ms·

Sigh. Over 40 geezer checking in, but because I spent my 20s pursuing a music career, and then a number of years in QA, I've really only been doing pure softwar

Sigh. Over 40 geezer checking in, but because I spent my 20s pursuing a music career, and then a number of years in QA, I've really only been doing pure software development for about 4 years. The problems I've been encountering these days mostly center on the physical demands of the job (typing and sitting) -- joint pain, back pain, tendinitis, etc... Yoga has been helpful, but I'm wondering how long I'll be able to cope.

locopati 17y ago
On the physical demands (speaking as an 37yo coder), I've found these things to be very helpful... - yoga (which you've got covered) - a kneeling chair does wonders for posture - placing your monitor at the proper height (eye-level is 1/2-1/3 from the top of the screen otherwise you tend to crane your head forward and downward) - stepping away from the screens regularly (set a timer to remind you because it's easy to blow this one off) - eye exercises (especially this one...alternate focusing on the tip of your nose and focusing on a far distance) Good luck
- eru 17y ago
  > - stepping away from the screens regularly (set a timer to remind you because it's easy to blow this one off) Ubuntu includes an application to enforce breaks by locking your screen. I have tried it. Works.
  - didip 17y ago
    For Mac there's this: http://tech.inhelsinki.nl/antirsi/ http://tech.inhelsinki.nl/antirsi/
yummyfajitas 17y ago
I found a great solution to keyboard induced joint pain, basically a 100% solution to my problems (which were extensive). Buy one of these (way too expensive) keyboards: http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/freestyle-solo_690x375.jpg http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/freestyle-solo_690x375.jp... Then build one of these out of a cardboard box and duct tape: http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo-ascent-90_512x390.jpg http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo-ascent-90_512x390.jp...
- msluyter 17y ago
  I actually have that keyboard, but haven't yet tried arranging it vertically. Can you use wrist rests when you use it that way?
  - yummyfajitas 17y ago
    Not sure how you could use wrist rests, or why you'd want to. For a horizontal keyboard, wrist rests prevent you from bending your wrist harmfully. Of course, they also let you get lazy. For the vertical layout, the spacing of the keyboard prevents wrist bending: the two sides of the keyboard are roughly shoulder width apart. When you aren't typing, the natural thing to do is put your hands in your lap.

locopati 17y ago

On the physical demands (speaking as an 37yo coder), I've found these things to be very helpful... - yoga (which you've got covered) - a kneeling chair does wonders for posture - placing your monitor at the proper height (eye-level is 1/2-1/3 from the top of the screen otherwise you tend to crane your head forward and downward) - stepping away from the screens regularly (set a timer to remind you because it's easy to blow this one off) - eye exercises (especially this one...alternate focusing on the tip of your nose and focusing on a far distance) Good luck

eru 17y ago
> - stepping away from the screens regularly (set a timer to remind you because it's easy to blow this one off) Ubuntu includes an application to enforce breaks by locking your screen. I have tried it. Works.
- didip 17y ago
  For Mac there's this: http://tech.inhelsinki.nl/antirsi/ http://tech.inhelsinki.nl/antirsi/

yummyfajitas 17y ago

I found a great solution to keyboard induced joint pain, basically a 100% solution to my problems (which were extensive). Buy one of these (way too expensive) keyboards: http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/freestyle-solo_690x375.jpg http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/freestyle-solo_690x375.jp... Then build one of these out of a cardboard box and duct tape: http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo-ascent-90_512x390.jpg http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo-ascent-90_512x390.jp...

msluyter 17y ago
I actually have that keyboard, but haven't yet tried arranging it vertically. Can you use wrist rests when you use it that way?
- yummyfajitas 17y ago
  Not sure how you could use wrist rests, or why you'd want to. For a horizontal keyboard, wrist rests prevent you from bending your wrist harmfully. Of course, they also let you get lazy. For the vertical layout, the spacing of the keyboard prevents wrist bending: the two sides of the keyboard are roughly shoulder width apart. When you aren't typing, the natural thing to do is put your hands in your lap.