Linux Format forums

GeordieJedi · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 1:21 am Post subject: Help with RSI

Hi all, hope you're all well.

I have pretty bad RSI, and I'm looking for some useful apps and the like
to help with it (apart from the obvious....not using the bloody PC ha ha).

I seem to remember reading something in Hotpicks recently-ish, for a Gnome app
G.....something or other that looked quite promising. Now I've trawled through
about 1-2 yrs back issues, and I can't seem to find it. Any Ideas?

To be honest, it doesn't even have to be a Gnome app. I don't care as long
as it helps.

Anything to help with moving the mouse, clicking, typing (e.g. automatically
filling things out for me).

I have a few other questions.

1. Can I set up something, so that I don't have to type my password in all the time !
(I realise that this does have some security implications.....)

2. Or maybe have something like Seahorse/Kwallet remember all my passwords
for me, or set up a key binding to insert my password everytime the PC
asks for it ?

Info =
Ubuntu 10.10
DE = Gnome, (But I do run quite a few KDE apps)

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

AndyBaxman · LXF regular Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2005 9:47 am Posts: 519

I would suggest a "natural" keyboard and a trackball rather than a mouse.
_________________
Bomb #20: "Let there be light"

nelz · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 9:48 am Post subject:

Type which password where? If it's web passwords, most browsers handle that automatically. If you mean your user password when sudo asks for it, you can set sudo to accept you without asking for a password, with the security implications that you mention. If this is a desktop in a location you control, that may be fine, but I wouldn't recommend it on anything portable (I have my netbook set to allow passwordless sudo only when connected to my home network).

Run

M-Saunders · Moderator Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:14 pm Posts: 2881

I've had RSI problems on and off over the years. My recommendations:

1) Ergonomic keyboard. I've got a Microsoft Natural Keyboard 4000 here and it's great. Pretty much the only thing I'd recommend from MS, but I love it.

2) Switching the mouse side. I'm right-handed, but I often use the mouse with my left hand to give the other a rest. Trackballs are supposed to be better but I've never tried one. Or perhaps a big touchpad like the magic Apple thing -- pricey, but could work well.

3) Stretching exercises. There are loads on the net -- find ones that really stretch and use the muscles and tendons in your arms and shoulders that you wouldn't normally use that way (albeit gently).

HTH

M

GeordieJedi · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 1:05 pm Post subject:

Apologies, I should have mentioned that I do have/use some ergonomic equipment =

Microsoft - Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
I Love it, I'd never go back to a "normal" keyboard again.

Mouse - Perfit Contour Ergonomic Mouse (Optical)
(It's not actually a mouse it's a rat! It's huge! But it's very good)

@ Nelz
Sorry, I should have been more specific. You're right, I did mean my user password. Cheers.

It is a desktop that I mainly use, so I still want to have to enter a password at startup.
But after that I don't want to have to.

I also use GUFW firewall and that asks for my password when I start it each time I boot up.
So I'd like that to startup and be enabled automatically each boot,
without having to type in my user password all the time.

@ AndyBaxman and Mike
Thanks. I'll look into the trackball, and some exercises.
It's difficult to use the mouse left handed, as its a specifically right handed mouse.

I'm also going to physio, and trying to get some hand splints.

Thanks for all the help so-far, its much appreciated.

bobthebob1234 · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 1:12 pm Post subject:

nelz · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 1:28 pm Post subject:

Editing /etc/sudoers will cause any command that uses sudo to run without asking for your password. This doesn't include the initial login, because you're doing that as your user, not trying to run the desktop as root.
_________________
Unix is user-friendly. It's just very selective about who it's friends are.

Bazza · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 1:32 pm Post subject:

Hi GeordieJedi...

Mike is about right with the track(er)ball assuming it is wrist RSI.
As for fingers however it might not be RSI.

In my case it is Arthritis rearing its ugly head in my thumbs. I don`t
know how old you are but maybe this could be happening to you too.

Be aware of this possible detail.
_________________
73...

Bazza, G0LCU...

Team AMIGA...

bobthebob1234 · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 1:50 pm Post subject:

Also there are simple things like making sure you are sitting 'properly', feet flat on the floor, comfy chair etc.

There are also programs that force you to take breaks at regular intervals (they lock the screen and don't let you log back in)
Take a look at Keyboard Preferences.
_________________
For certain you have to be lost to find the places that can't be found. Elseways, everyone would know where it was

Dutch_Master · LXF regular Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:49 am Posts: 2354

You pretty much got all the sound advise you'll need, but it's worth emphasising that regular breaks are important in preventing RSI symptoms. That could be even as simple as a regular 5 min coffee break!

+1 on the trackball too, I have a Logitech Trackman for a good few years and so far managed to escape serious injury (although I admit sometimes I forget to take a break and then I do start to feel it in the wrist). And I spend anything from 8-16 hrs a day (!!) in front of the screen! (pathetic really, some would say: get a life! Wink

)

Bazza · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 2:26 pm Post subject:

Talking of RSI...

I wrote this some time ago...

http://www.thecryptmag.com/Online/50/BarrysBlog.html

:)
_________________
73...

Bazza, G0LCU...

Team AMIGA...

John Lumby · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 3:12 pm Post subject:

re
"It's difficult to use the mouse left handed, as its a specifically right handed mouse."

Long ago an ergonomicist(?) advised me (R-Handed) to switch to mouse on left, and I had the same reaction, and tried it, gave up, then someone else said give it 7 days and then decide, and on the sixth or seventh day it was Hallelujah.

In your case with the Contour you would have to buy a left-handed one, (I believe they make them, I don't know how expensive), but worth considering.

Also make sure your wrist is supported at a height where it is neither arched up or down (at the wrist joint) but I guess you already knew that.
_________________
John Lumby

GeordieJedi · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:03 pm Post subject:

I've taken you're advice and bought a trackball.
I'll let you know how I get on.

@ Bazza
I'm only 33, but I feel like I'm dropping to bits ! Ha ha.

Thanks very much to everyone who's responded, and for all the help and advice. Very Happy

hilly · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:32 am Post subject: RSI

GeordieJedi · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:27 pm Post subject:

Areet Hilly.

That's kinda spooky. I've actually bought a Thermoskin wrist brace
a couple of months back.
It's a bit of a life saver, my only niggle with it is, if you wear it for extended
periods of time it does get a bit sweaty and a bit stinky!
(At the end of the day though, I'd rather have that, than the bloody pain !)

I've actually just been to the hospital today to get some hand splints
(They look fairly similar TBH).

I'm still waiting for my trackball from Amazon.

Cheers for the advice though.