From: ari@world.std.com (Ari I Halberstadt)
Subject: Re: repeated motion injury
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Sun, 4 Oct 1992 16:42:57 GMT

In article <1992Sep25.150440.21330@news.iastate.edu> S1.SRE@isumvs.iastate.edu (Sree) writes:
>Have you experienced any pain in your hand, especially at the base
>of the thumb and forefinger?  Does this pain extend to the wrist and
>forearm?  Do you experience the pain after prolonged use or even
>after shorter use?

Yes, significant pain. In both hands. After prolonged use it is worse. 

>Recently I was diagnosed with the repeated motion injury.  While
>discussing with my former student, who is now an MIS professional at
>a major firm, we came to the conclusion that use of the mouse is
>more problematic than the use of a keyboard.  In using the mouse you

This has been my experience. My work is done on a Macintosh, and I've
used the Apple supplied mouse almost exclusively. Being left handed, the pain
first appeared in my left hand, but when I switched to my right hand the pain
soon appeared there as well.

The keyboard is also important to RSI injuries. Most keyboards have,
IMHO, terrible tactile feel and put significant stress on the hands.
The best keyboard I have *ever* used was the keyboard provided with the
console for the IBM RT/PC Unix RISC workstation, back in 1986. Unfortunately,
the RT/PC suffered from performance problems and was never a big hit.
IBM, in typical corporate stupidity, has apparently completely ignored
the incredible quality of this keyboard and has not marketed it on any
other machine. A few years ago I posted a request for opinions on
keyboards, and several people agreed that the RT/PC's keyboard was
excellent.

>If you agree with this explanation or have pain due to the use of
>standard mouse (one, two, or three button) then it may be worthwhile
>to campaign with the makers of these devices to design a mouse that
>is more anthropometric.  One that conforms to the shape of a closed
>hand (hand that could close around an object) may be more ideal.

Several lawsuits are pending against major manufacturers (eg, Apple, IBM,
Microsoft). A federal judge recently consolidated many of the claims
into a single class-action suit.

My suggestion to manufacturers would be to agree on a standard 
protocol for input and output devices such as keyboards, mice,
and VDTs. Then, instead of packaging keyboards with each computer,
manufacturers would create human interface device departments which
would develop these devices, to be sold as separate consumer products
for use with any computer. Manufacturers specializing in this field
could coexist with regular computer manufacturers and could offer
excellent products (the free market in action). The manufacturers
should offer several ranges of each input devices to match the
natural variation of human bodies. For instance, the size and spacing
of keys, the amount of pressure required to depress them, and
the amount of tactile feedback when they are depressed would be
typical variables. Alternative keyboards would also be offered,
such as DOVRAK layout, left handed versions, and keyboards
with more novel designs, after determining, through scientific
research, which are the best designs.

A review of products by a magazine such as Consumer Reports would be very
enlightening and would cut through a tremendous amount of hype and
misconceptions. 
-- 
Ari Halberstadt  ari@world.std.com  #include <disclaimer.h>  #include <quote.h>