05-03-2005, 07:00 PM
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Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
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Your Handheld or Your Health?
"Several doctors say the BlackBerry bears too much blame for techie tendinitis. Most people sending mobile e-mail also type on desktop computers somewhere, sometimes on laptops, too. All that typing - if done improperly - can contribute to repetitive stress injuries. But experts say typing on handheld devices can push latent injuries over the edge and further aggravate them. Users often hold their wrists in awkward positions while hunching over and craning their necks to see the small script."
There's no denying that for the majority of you reading this now, you either own a handheld or have used a handheld before. Granted, we've posted on RSI (repetitive strain/stress injuries) before, but there seem to be more and more articles of it appearing on the internet that it's almost worth another discussion to see what your take on the whole situation is, and whether it's getting better (or worse) for you, especially since mobile devices are increasing in popularity. JS Online talk about a few Blackberry scenarios - users getting aches and pains from all that thumbboard-typing. However, we all know it's not just limited to the simple Blackberry. Quite a few Pocket PCs have thumbboards - some include the HP iPAQ h6310, the i-mate PDA2K, and the BenQ P50. If you continually tap-type using an onscreen-keyboard, then I'm sure a couple of you are also experiencing a bit of RSI. Yet amongst all the aches and pains, this is the price we've had to pay for mobility. So if you suffer from the odd case of RSI from continually using your Pocket PC (or any other handheld for that matter), just what are you doing to combat it? Please pick an appropriate poll option and feel free to leave a comment.
UPDATE: If you have RSI problems, you may want to check out this article that Jason wrote in 2003.
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05-03-2005, 07:16 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,162
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I said other just because you can keep from getting RSI from making sure you get enough exercise in those muscles other than using your PDA/blackberry/etc..
Use a stress-ball to squeeze, lift weights even...plus keep conscious of ergonomics.
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05-03-2005, 08:11 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 454
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Sorry, I know people are always whingeing about the poll options, but I had to answer "Other" for this one, because the poll question implies that RSI is inevitable.
I've been using electronic devices -- PDAs or PCs -- with a keyboard, for about eight years solid, and have never had a twinge of an RSI.
So that's my two pence: While I don't contend that some people have this condition, I think recent news items may be scrounging for something new to worry people with.
I'm still waiting for my mobile phone tumour to arrive.
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05-03-2005, 08:18 PM
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Thoughts Media Review Team
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 749
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I'm with Hamish... even at my advanced age, I haven't had any problem with RSI in all the years I've been using keyboards, pdas, etc.
I do have to stretch my fingers, etc. after a couple of hours of continuous typing, but I've never (touch wood) had to be treated for any long standing, chronic problem.
__________________
/drt
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05-03-2005, 08:35 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 267
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Honestly, the only time I can recall having RSI is playing Morrowind for 3 days at 8hrs/day.
Also, last week when I had to write so much crap for my exam in psychology. I hate essay exams!
Even when typing 15 page papers, I take a break every 45 min or so, cause I have short attention span too :mrgreen:
So... I pick impervious
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05-03-2005, 08:37 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 450
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by hamishmacdonald
Sorry, I know people are always whingeing about the poll options, but I had to answer "Other" for this one, because the poll question implies that RSI is inevitable.
I've been using electronic devices -- PDAs or PCs -- with a keyboard, for about eight years solid, and have never had a twinge of an RSI.
So that's my two pence: While I don't contend that some people have this condition, I think recent news items may be scrounging for something new to worry people with.
I'm still waiting for my mobile phone tumour to arrive.
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I'm using comps since about 5-6 yrs, and PDAs abut 1 yr...no health probs so far (okay, after 14+hours continous time at the computer minus resting room minus food  my eyes starts to be tired :P).
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05-03-2005, 08:55 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 89
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I use a keyboard with my pocket pc the majority of time I have to do anything that is beyond five words long. The muscles in my arm have hurt once or twice from typing too much, but so far I have had nothing cronic.
I remember I had a Psion Netbook. I loved the form factor of that machine to death!! But, the keyboard, although it was great, was just a little too cramped for my large hands. I almost had to cry after extended typing on that thing! I eventually gave it up but I still forget the pain and remember the great design every now and then.....memories....
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05-03-2005, 09:09 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jacob
I said other just because you can keep from getting RSI from making sure you get enough exercise in those muscles other than using your PDA/blackberry/etc...
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The problem is that once you've trashed your muscles and scar tissue has been built up, no amount of exercise will help. It's also difficult to find common exercises that target the correct muscles. But I agree completely that preventing RSI is important, and exercise is a critical part of that.
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05-03-2005, 09:15 PM
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05-03-2005, 09:27 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by hamishmacdonald
So that's my two pence: While I don't contend that some people have this condition, I think recent news items may be scrounging for something new to worry people with.
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You should consider yourselft very fortunate! If you look at the poll results, meagre though they may be, it would seem to indicate that 50% of people have RSI problems, or at least enough of a problem that they feel they are combatting it.
Something interesting:
http://www.usenix.org/publications/l...tml/sld007.htm
I think if you were go to around to any large office you'd find at least 30% of the people there with some type of RSI problem. My wife started a job a few months back where's she's typing most of the day. Within three months she was complaining of burning sensations in her forearms. RSI is very real, and to treat it as anything less than a serious problem is silly. Those stupid Aspirin commercials tick me off, where the woman complains her arms are on fire and they say 'Take an Aspirin" as if it was the real solution. :roll:
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