HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jon@oas.stanford.edu (Jon Claerbout)
Subject: Re: FAQ: Typing Injuries (1/3): General Info [mon
Organization: Stanford Exploration Project
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 18:59:33 GMT

In article <1992Sep8.172352.1000@nynexst.com> selvin@nynexst.com writes:
>
>>> keys.  Wrist pads are bad.  Very bad.  Your wrists shouldn't be resting on
>>> anything.  Instead, you're arranging your body so your shoulders bear
>>> the weight of your arms.
>
>I completely disagree with this. 

I too have been saved by wrist support.  A rolled up towel.
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
From: MDuPree@world.std.com (Micky DuPree)
Subject: Physician referral in Boston for typing tendonitis?
Summary: My arms, wrists, and fingers hurt.  I need a doctor.
Keywords: tendonitis, referral, Boston, Cambridge, Somerville
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Distribution: ne
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 18:35:29 GMT

Can anyone give me the name of a doctor in the greater Boston area who's
good at typing injuries such as tendonitis (which I strongly suspect
I've got)?

I live in west Somerville.  I don't have a car, but I'm near the Porter
Square subway stop and I'm willing to go out of my way for a good
doctor.

(I've set the distribution to New England, so please don't flame me if
this leaks out of that area.)

Thanks muchly,

Micky DuPree


Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
From: dank@blacks.jpl.nasa.gov (Daniel R. Kegel)
Subject: keyboard drawers harmful?
Organization: Image Analysis Systems Group, JPL
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 19:19:28 GMT

Hi,
I installed a keyboard drawer in my desk at home a few months ago
in order to put the kbd at the right height for me (i.e. elbows at 90 degree
angle).  However, since then I have been increasingly bothered by
elbow pain (tendonitis?), to the point where I have to stop typing for
weeks at a time.

Has anybody else had similar experiences?
- Dan Kegel (dank@blacks.jpl.nasa.gov)
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
From: msd@HQ.Ileaf.COM (Michael Daitzman x3262)
Subject: PT references
Keywords: references PT Physical Therapy 
Reply-To: msd@HQ.Ileaf.COM (Michael Daitzman x3262)
Organization: Interleaf, Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 92 13:42:09 GMT


A lot of people have posted looking for references to Dr.'s and PT's
in their area.  One potential source, at least for PT's, is the
American Society of Hand Therapists.

Here is the info:

		American Society of Hand Therapists
		1002 Vandora Spring Road, Suite 101
		Garner, NC 27529
		T.919-779-2748
		F.919-779-5642

I hope this helps someone :-).
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
From: heathh@cco.caltech.edu (Heath Ian Hunnicutt)
Subject: dvorak keyboards
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 04:40:24 GMT

Hi,

	Does anyone reading this use a Dvorak style keyboard?  If so,
where did you get it?  Do you feel that it is a great help to you?
How so?  Does it seem to make typing easier?

	Also, does anyone know if "clicky" keyboards are better
or worse than "mushy" keyboards, in terms of RSI?

See ya,
Heath

-- 
--
From the Home for Amnesiac Computer Scientists....
  heathh@cco.caltech.edu

Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
From: shannonb@topaz.ucq.edu.au
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
Subject: Looking for health / medical FTP sites.
Date: 14 Sep 92 10:12:37 AET
Organization: University of Central Queensland, Australia

I am looking for any FTP sites with health /medical related software. I have
found the site at umich, but was wondering if there are any others.

Please post a reply or email me direct .

Thank you in advance

Bruce Shannon
From: jcb (Jim Becker)
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
Subject: Re: dvorak keyboards
Date: 14 Sep 92 19:52:25 GMT
	<BuFnxv.2BJ@news.cso.uiuc.edu>
Return-Path: <jcb>
To: pereckas@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu, postnews


   Subject: pNN: Re: dvorak keyboards
   From: pereckas@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (pereckas michael s)

   My keyboard is an ordinary Northgate
   101-key keyboard.  I put rub-on letters on the keys for dvorak,
   otherwise I'd have to put both hands on the keyboard to find the "n"
   key :-) Does any one have any ideas for better key labeling?

first i learned touch typing, then i learned the Dvorak layout. if you
are looking at the keyboard for letters, try using  an  ASCII  map  of
them, printed out and glued to the monitor. then you can  simply  look
at the map, rather than the keyboard for the keys.  low tech! :)

   Do any manufacturers have dvorak key caps for  their  keyboards?   Are
   there   any   good  keyboards  with  interchangable  key  caps?   (The
   Northgate  key  caps  are  all have different shapes, depending on the
   position on the keyboard.  Just switching  them  around  would  result
   in keys sticking out at weird heights and angles.)
   
Northgate! i have an Omni-Key Ultra, and there's a two  key  operation
that will change the firmware key remapping between querty and dvorak.
this prevents the need to change software drivers, kernals or anything
else when using different layouts.

for  an  extra  $15 they will send you keytops for dvorak, if you need
them. 

-jim
--
 -Jim Becker / jcb@ncd.com   /   Network Computing Devices, Inc. (NCD)
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
From: selvin@nynexst.com (Al Selvin)
Subject: Re: FAQ: Typing Injuries (1/3): General Info [mon
Reply-To: selvin@nynexst.com
Organization: NYNEX Science & Technology, Inc.
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 92 17:23:52 GMT


>> keys.  Wrist pads are bad.  Very bad.  Your wrists shouldn't be resting on
>> anything.  Instead, you're arranging your body so your shoulders bear
>> the weight of your arms.

I completely disagree with this. It is a gross generalization. For many people
wrist rests have made all the difference in terms of being able to work
without strain or damage. I  think this assertion should be stricken from the FAQ;
it might scare off some people who could be helped by a very simple and
inexpensive intervention (Wristsaver rests cost about $18).
From: gibian@talent.ljo.dec.com (Marc S. Gibian)
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
Subject: Keyboards and KEYboards?
Date: 8 Sep 92 22:00:38 GMT
Reply-To: gibian@ljohub.enet.dec.com
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation


I have been familiar with the problems related to wrist injuries and
typing keyboards.  A few nights ago, as I was relaxing by playing my
electric piano, I was wondering if the keyboard of my instrument and
how it is played is close enough to that of typing keyboards to be
an additional negative factor.  Or is it different enough to be a
injury reduction activity?
--
Marc S. Gibian			email: gibian@talent.ljo.dec.com
Principal Software Engineer	phone: (508) 486-6598
Digital Equipment Corporation	fax:   (508) 486-6648  or (508) 486-6100
From: chong@gideon.Eng.Sun.COM (Tai Chong [TI])
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
Subject: Urologist and dermatologist
Date: 7 Sep 1992 18:40:16 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems Inc., Mountain View, CA
Distribution: ba
NNTP-Posting-Host: gideon

I hopet that it is appropriate to send this post to this
newsgroup.
Recently I have moved from Houston to Sunnyvale. Since I 
am new to the area, I am hoping that someone who knows a
good urologist and a good dermatologist in the bay area
can recommend them to me.
Please e-mail to me directly at
                    tai.chong@sun.com

Thank you.
-tai     tai.chong@sun.com  (415)336-3294
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
From: tsf@CS.CMU.EDU (Timothy Freeman)
Subject: Re: dvorak keyboards
Originator: tsf@U.ERGO.CS.CMU.EDU
Organization: School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 15:48:24 GMT

In article <1992Sep9.044024.4616@cco.caltech.edu> heathh@cco.caltech.edu (Heath Ian Hunnicutt) writes:

	   Does anyone reading this use a Dvorak style keyboard?  

Yes, me.

   If so, where did you get it?  

Over the net.  I use X11, and there is a program called "xdvorak" that
rebinds the keys.  I never bothered to move the physical keys, so
hunt-and-peck typing is no longer an option for me.  Here are some
places that archie says the program is available from.

04 cs.utk.edu
Location: /pub/shuford/xdvorak.tar.Z
      File -rw-r--r--    10238 1991 Jul 20 00:00:00 GMT xdvorak.tar.Z
05 export.lcs.mit.edu
Location: /contrib/xdvorak.tar.Z
      File -rw-rw-rw-    10238 1991 Jul 13 00:00:00 GMT xdvorak.tar.Z
06 gatekeeper.dec.com
Location: /.1/X11/contrib/xdvorak.tar.Z
      File -r--r--r--    10238 1991 Jul 12 00:00:00 GMT xdvorak.tar.Z
07 cs.ubc.ca
Location: /mirror2/x-contrib/xdvorak.tar.Z
      File -rw-r--r--    10238 1991 Jul 12 00:00:00 GMT xdvorak.tar.Z
08 iskut.ucs.ubc.ca
Location: /pub/X11/contrib/xdvorak.tar.Z
      File -rw-rw-r--    10238 1991 Jul 14 00:00:00 GMT xdvorak.tar.Z

   Do you feel that it is a great help to you?

Not particularly.
--
Tim Freeman <tsf@cs.cmu.edu>    CompuServe ID 71045,2267 checked occasionally.
When they took the fourth amendment, I was silent because I don't deal drugs.
When they took the sixth amendment, I kept quiet because I know I'm innocent.
When they took the second amendment, I said nothing because I don't own a gun.
Now they've come for the first amendment, and I can't say anything at all.
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
From: pereckas@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (pereckas michael s)
Subject: Re: dvorak keyboards
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 21:34:42 GMT

heathh@cco.caltech.edu (Heath Ian Hunnicutt) writes:

>	Does anyone reading this use a Dvorak style keyboard?  If so,
>where did you get it?  Do you feel that it is a great help to you?
>How so?  Does it seem to make typing easier?

I do.  I run Linux (a free unix for [34]86 boxes---read comp.os.linux
for more info if you're interested) and I use the dvorak keyboard
option.  This is implemented the same way the US, French, Finnish, UK,
etc. keyboards are implemented, and is a compile-time option.  This
means that no one elso can use my computer.  My room mate jokes that
it greatly enhances system security.  I wrote the dvorak option some
time ago and it has long since been a standard part of the
distribution.  It can be very useful to have the sources for your
opperating system kernel.  My keyboard is an ordinary Northgate
101-key keyboard.  I put rub-on letters on the keys for dvorak,
otherwise I'd have to put both hands on the keyboard to find the "n"
key :-) Does any one have any ideas for better key labeling?  Do any
manufacturers have dvorak key caps for their keyboards?  Are there any
good keyboards with interchangable key caps?  (The Northgate key caps
are all have different shapes, depending on the position on the
keyboard.  Just switching them around would result in keys sticking
out at weird heights and angles.)

I like the dvorak arrangement.  I don't really know if it reduces
stress, but my subjective impression is that it is more pleasent to
type on than qwerty.  There seems to be less finger movement, and
common letter sequences seem to sort of roll off my finger tips very
easily.  For example, "th" is easy to type, and so is the very common
word "the".  

-- 
Michael Pereckas     pereckas@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu
Have you used the term ``nasal demons'' today?
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
From: heathh@cco.caltech.edu (Heath Ian Hunnicutt)
Subject: Re: FAQ: Typing Injuries (1/3): General Info [mon
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 04:35:04 GMT

jon@oas.stanford.edu (Jon Claerbout) writes:
>I too have been saved by wrist support.  A rolled up towel.

I would like to thank you for this tip, Jon.  Just today, I had been
considering ordering one of those wrist pads, but I was put off by
the prices, since I didn't know what to expect in terms of comfort.

I tried the towel idea, and already I feel more relaxed at the keyboard.

Thanks again,
Heath

-- 
--
From the Home for Amnesiac Computer Scientists....
  heathh@cco.caltech.edu
From: tsf@CS.CMU.EDU (Timothy Freeman)
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
Subject: Re: Vaporware in the FAQ
Date: 9 Sep 92 15:54:23 GMT
Article-I.D.: U.TSF.92Sep9105423
Organization: School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University
Originator: tsf@U.ERGO.CS.CMU.EDU

In article <1992Sep9.043831.4560@cco.caltech.edu> heathh@cco.caltech.edu (Heath Ian Hunnicutt) writes:

	   I'd be awfully interested in solutions that people are
   actually using right now, as opposed to next year.

I modified the "typewatch" sh script by Richard Donkin mentioned in
the FAQ to work smoothly with X windows and Mach, and I fixed several
bugs.  I sent him my new version but received no response.  I don't
know whether the version he is currently distributing is the new or
the old.
--
Tim Freeman <tsf@cs.cmu.edu>    CompuServe ID 71045,2267 checked occasionally.
When they took the fourth amendment, I was silent because I don't deal drugs.
When they took the sixth amendment, I kept quiet because I know I'm innocent.
When they took the second amendment, I said nothing because I don't own a gun.
Now they've come for the first amendment, and I can't say anything at all.
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
From: u734120@bruny.cc.utas.edu.au (John Lamp)
Subject: Re: Progressive nearsightedness from CRT use
Organization: University of Tasmania, Australia.
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1992 21:15:52 GMT

caf@omen.UUCP (Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX) writes:

>In article <gcody.715442229@charm.gandalf.ca> gcody@gandalf.ca (Gord Cody) writes:
>>We don't debate this. We are sure of it. Many people I know that had 20-20
>>vision or better into their mid 20s, needing glasses after working with
>>computers all day for a 3-6 years. Those that had previously worn glasses
>>found themselves needing still stronger pairs (me included) after years
>>of almost no change.

>My mother has never worked with a computer but her eyesight is
>much worse than mine.

>Are there any controlled studies measuring this alleged change
>in eyesight?  Any controlled studies demonstrating the efficacy
>of techniques to improve the situation?

I have said it before and I'll say it again.

The only academically rigorous studies of this (and I admit I have only
read reports on them and not the originals) have so far failed to produce any
link.

The most likely scenario currently accepted is the TV theory of the
fifties, brought up to date for VDT's.  That is, the VDT's do not _cause_
the problem, but the demands of using them highlight any existing
problems.  Additionally, the use of VDT's require efficient middle
distance vision, and most prescription glasses are designed for near
(reading) or long (general) distances.  Hence the effectiveness of
el-cheapo magnifying glasses.

Best practice OH&S in Australia screens and addresses these problems
and the minimal costs of two-yearly eyechecks for all staff using VDT's
and meeting unmet costs after health insurance for middle distance
glasses well outweighs the disruption and needless concern this issue
causes.  Some major employers have this built into their IS plan,
others into OH&S or industrial agreements or awards.

(Having said that, a paper is probably hitting the presses right now
to debunk what I have just said! :-))

Further, I am not aware of any successful workers' compensation cases
on this in my jurisdiction (Australian Federal).

Cheers
John
(aka Operations Manager, Comcare Australia, Commission for the Safety
Rehabilitation and Compensation of Commonwealth Employees;
#include <std.dis> )

--
   _--_|\             John Lamp, originating in Hobart, Tasmania
  /      \                 Phone: 002 23 1366 - Fax: 002 34 5685
  \_.--._/                   email: u734120@bruny.cc.utas.edu.au
        v <-----------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
From: dwallach@wilbur.nas.nasa.gov (Dan Wallach)
Subject: Re: FAQ: Typing Injuries (1/3): General Info [mon
Organization: NAS Program, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 92 20:35:36 GMT

jon@oas.stanford.edu (Jon Claerbout) writes:

>In article <1992Sep8.172352.1000@nynexst.com> selvin@nynexst.com writes:
>>
>>>> keys.  Wrist pads are bad.  Very bad.  Your wrists shouldn't be resting on
>>>> anything.  Instead, you're arranging your body so your shoulders bear
>>>> the weight of your arms.
>>
>>I completely disagree with this. 

>I too have been saved by wrist support.  A rolled up towel.

Hmm... Well, I had wrist pads, but I got into the habit of supporting my
body's weight through my wrists, pressing into the pads.  Bad idea.
Everything varries on a person-to-person basis, and wrist pads can be
helpful, but you should really try not having your wrists on anything --
just holding your forearms above the keyboard and dangling your fingers
down.

I've seen people stack their wrist pads up to use as guides for their
wrists (forcing them not to bend in a bad way).  I suppose this could
be helpful, too.  Still, by far the most comfortable way I've found to
type is with one of those keyboard drawers holding the keyboard right
above my lap.

I've seen people using wrist-pads for their mice.  This is an amusing idea.
I generally try to avoid using my mouse, if at all possible.

Pseudo-conclusion: wrist pads might be better than what you have, but
they're not necessarily better than "nothing."

Of course, I'm no doctor, and what works for me might give you migraine
headaches.  Who knows?


--
Dan Wallach              "One of the most attractive features of a Connection
dwallach@nas.nasa.gov    Machine is the array of blinking lights on the faces
                         of its cabinet." -- CM Paris Ref. Manual, v6.0, p48.
From: jgt10@uts.amdahl.com (John G. Thompson)
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
Subject: Re: FAQ: Typing Injuries (1/3): General Info [mon
Date: 8 Sep 92 20:40:16 GMT
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

selvin@nynexst.com (Al Selvin) writes:
>>> keys.  Wrist pads are bad.  Very bad.  Your wrists shouldn't be resting on
>>> anything.  Instead, you're arranging your body so your shoulders bear
>>> the weight of your arms.

>I completely disagree with this. It is a gross generalization. For many people
>wrist rests have made all the difference in terms of being able to work
>without strain or damage. I  think this assertion should be stricken from the FAQ;
>it might scare off some people who could be helped by a very simple and
>inexpensive intervention (Wristsaver rests cost about $18).

At my companies expense I was supplied with a wrist rest.  I had a 
nodule (not a good medical term, I know) on my right wrist.  Since 
the rest has been in place the nodule has decreased to the point where
I can't find it.  I support the move to strike this reference from
the FAQ.
-- 

John G. Thompson        Amdahl Corporation      jgt10@uts.amdahl.com 
  KD6KID                P.O. Box 3470 MS 340    {sun,uunet}!amdahl!jgt10
#include <disclamer.h>  Sunnyvale, CA 94088     1-408-737-5708

Go ahead, flame me...I've got heavy duty surge protectors.
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
From: caf@omen.UUCP (Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX)
Subject: Re: Progressive nearsightedness from CRT use
Organization: Omen Technology INC, Portland Rain Forest
Date: Fri, 04 Sep 1992 23:52:26 GMT

In article <gcody.715442229@charm.gandalf.ca> gcody@gandalf.ca (Gord Cody) writes:
>We don't debate this. We are sure of it. Many people I know that had 20-20 
>vision or better into their mid 20s, needing glasses after working with
>computers all day for a 3-6 years. Those that had previously worn glasses
>found themselves needing still stronger pairs (me included) after years
>of almost no change.

My mother has never worked with a computer but her eyesight is
much worse than mine.

Are there any controlled studies measuring this alleged change
in eyesight?  Any controlled studies demonstrating the efficacy
of techniques to improve the situation?

-- 
Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX          ...!tektronix!reed!omen!caf 
Author of YMODEM, ZMODEM, Professional-YAM, ZCOMM, and DSZ
  Omen Technology Inc    "The High Reliability Software"
17505-V NW Sauvie IS RD   Portland OR 97231   503-621-3406
Newsgroups: sci.med.occupational
From: dwallach@wilbur.nas.nasa.gov (Dan Wallach)
Subject: Re: Vaporware in the FAQ
Organization: NAS Program, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 92 06:36:24 GMT

heathh@cco.caltech.edu (Heath Ian Hunnicutt) writes:

>	It sure seems like a lot of the products mentioned in the FAQ
>are "beta" or "coming real soon now."  Is this an indication that the
>RSI-avoidance industry is newborn, or are there a lot of here today,
>gone tomorrow companies in this business?

From my research, it seems that funky keyboards are a relatively new
industry, thus you don't see much for sale.  The only guy who's been
around a while is Tony (!) Hodges, but he's not currently shipping a
product, either.  Maltron's been around for a few years, and they're
shipping.  Today, you can buy an InfoGrip Bat or a Handikey Twiddler.  The
Kinesis, and the Health Care should be shipping in October, I believe.
The DataHand (which was recently reviewed, here) should be shipping in
volume some time next year, maybe.  The Tony! Keysystem might also be
shipping by the end of the year.

From my limited phone calls, I would venture to say that none of these
keyboard vendors are here-today-gone-tomorrow companies.  Most of the
vendors I've spoken to have been running crazy to get their products
done and out the door, and most have even crazier ideas for future
products.  No.  No fly-by-night's, here.  Now, slipped schedules, on
the other hand, seem epidemic.

(Of course, I haven't seen anybody's financial statements, and no
company is going to tell me that they're running out of money...)

Generally speaking, if you want one of these things, now is the time to
get in your order, as all the vendors seem to be deluged with backlogged
orders (although, I wonder how many people have ordered one of each, with
plans to return the rest once they find one they like? -- hedging their
bets, huh?).  You don't pay until you have a product on your desk, anyway.

>	I'd be awfully interested in solutions that people are
>actually using right now, as opposed to next year.

Of course, there are all kinds of companies that will sell you wrist
pads, cool chairs, and nice furniture.  I don't bother to list these,
since you can generally get all this stuff locally, or through whomever
your company buys its normal chairs/furniture...  There's more to solving
an RSI problem than buying a new keyboard.  I went out and spent $300 on
a nice chair for home.  It's a major improvement over my old folding metal
card-table chair.


Of course, the latest copies of the FAQ, the aforementioned review of
the DataHand, xdvorak, and tons of other goodies are freely available
for your anonymous ftp-ing pleasure on soda.berkeley.edu:pub/typing-injury
(128.32.131.179).

Enjoy!

--
Dan Wallach              "One of the most attractive features of a Connection
dwallach@nas.nasa.gov    Machine is the array of blinking lights on the faces
                         of its cabinet." -- CM Paris Ref. Manual, v6.0, p48.