Comments on: RSI in pinky finger http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/ Blogs killed the e-mail star. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:13:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Eddy http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-97060 Eddy Sun, 16 Sep 2007 13:56:21 +0000 http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-97060 Greg, I appreciate your view about remapping keys. Too often, character sequences require using the pinky in quick successions, especially when typing code -- the opening and closing curly brackets follow each other closely. In fact, even this previous sentence puts a lot of strain on the right pinky on a Dvorak keyboard (the two s's in "successions" and the two l's in "especially"). Luckily, for coding a good IDE that automatically closes opening brackets and parentheses lessens the problem. -- Eddy Greg,

I appreciate your view about remapping keys. Too often, character sequences require using the pinky in quick successions, especially when typing code — the opening and closing curly brackets follow each other closely. In fact, even this previous sentence puts a lot of strain on the right pinky on a Dvorak keyboard (the two s’s in “successions” and the two l’s in “especially”).

Luckily, for coding a good IDE that automatically closes opening brackets and parentheses lessens the problem.

— Eddy

]]> By: Greg Kuperberg http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-96873 Greg Kuperberg Sat, 15 Sep 2007 20:13:55 +0000 http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-96873 I don't completely agree. I agree that you should take breaks, but at least in my case, prudent remapping made a much bigger difference. My breaks don't eat into my work time all that much. I don’t completely agree. I agree that you should take breaks,
but at least in my case, prudent remapping made a much bigger difference.
My breaks don’t eat into my work time all that much.

]]> By: Eddy http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-96870 Eddy Sat, 15 Sep 2007 18:39:25 +0000 http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-96870 Thanks for the link, Greg. Actually, I've viewed this exact same page while looking for tips to manage with the discomfort. I've now switched to a MS Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 and the Dvorak layout. Ironically, the pain has switched from the left pinky to the right one! I guess there is no better remedy than frequent breaks! Eddy Thanks for the link, Greg. Actually, I’ve viewed this exact same page while looking for tips to manage with the discomfort.

I’ve now switched to a MS Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 and the Dvorak layout. Ironically, the pain has switched from the left pinky to the right one!

I guess there is no better remedy than frequent breaks!

Eddy

]]> By: Greg Kuperberg http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-96865 Greg Kuperberg Sat, 15 Sep 2007 17:55:31 +0000 http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-96865 I have also had pinky RSI, although in my case it's the right pinky. I have a <a href="http://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~greg/rsi.html" rel="nofollow">pinky RSI</a> page that documents my case. I have also had pinky RSI, although in my case it’s the right pinky. I have a pinky RSI page that documents my case.

]]> By: Eddy http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-78802 Eddy Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:10:52 +0000 http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-78802 It is very hard, that I can assure you. And, yes, muscle memory is hard to get rid of. I've been training on Dvorak for two days now, going cold turkey, and I've attained a typing speed of only about 20 words per minute. It is very hard, that I can assure you. And, yes, muscle memory is hard to get rid of. I’ve been training on Dvorak for two days now, going cold turkey, and I’ve attained a typing speed of only about 20 words per minute.

]]> By: Patrick Ng http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-78397 Patrick Ng Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:28:45 +0000 http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-78397 How hard is it to get use to another keyboard layout? As for me, I wish I've learned how to use my right Shift and CTRL keys more often. I guess, I'll have to force myself to do it, even if I have to slow down my pace at the beginning. I have been using an ergonomic keyboard at home for years, starting with my first Windows PC (remember it ? ). I am starting to thing that regardless how ergonomic one's keyboard is, like you said, like you said, RSI eventually catches up. The only solution is frequent break and regular "keyboardless" days. I felt so much better after my last vacation, because I was rarely touching a computer. Of course, we are getting old. Our bodies don't heal as fast as they used to when we were 20 :-) How hard is it to get use to another keyboard layout? As for me, I wish I’ve learned how to use my right Shift and CTRL keys more often. I guess, I’ll have to force myself to do it, even if I have to slow down my pace at the beginning.

I have been using an ergonomic keyboard at home for years, starting with my first Windows PC (remember it ? ). I am starting to thing that regardless how ergonomic one’s keyboard is, like you said, like you said, RSI eventually catches up. The only solution is frequent break and regular “keyboardless” days. I felt so much better after my last vacation, because I was rarely touching a computer.

Of course, we are getting old. Our bodies don’t heal as fast as they used to when we were 20 :-)

]]> By: Eddy http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-78217 Eddy Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:32:55 +0000 http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-78217 Yeah, I attribute part of the problem to the shorter Shift key. Hopefully, use of the Dvorak keyboard will reduce the load on the pinky finger. Yeah, I attribute part of the problem to the shorter Shift key. Hopefully, use of the Dvorak keyboard will reduce the load on the pinky finger.

]]> By: Patrick Ng http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-78146 Patrick Ng Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:29:03 +0000 http://priscimon.com/blog/2007/08/13/rsi-in-pinky-finger/#comment-78146 One thing I noticed in the picture: the Shift key on a US keyboard is wider. It has the same width as the Shift key and the backslash key (from the picture) combined. I usually get relief from the combination of anti-inflammatory pills and a visit to my massage therapist. I feel so much better after she has treated my forearms. One thing I noticed in the picture: the Shift key on a US keyboard is wider. It has the same width as the Shift key and the backslash key (from the picture) combined.

I usually get relief from the combination of anti-inflammatory pills and a visit to my massage therapist. I feel so much better after she has treated my forearms.

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