Yes–I’m back on the subject of overuse injury–again, or maybe still–so expect stuff on medial epicondylitis and the like since I’ve been made acutely aware of how much keying SKY Index really eliminates with autocomplete function and keyboard shortcuts! Right now I’m working on a project that requires the editing and indexing to be done directly…
Category: Computer use
To mouse or not to mouse?
I have a reasonably ergonomic workstation and have adjusted my work style with WorkPace (and the cat who is pretty good about timing breaks), but I want to do everything I can to avoid more “overuse” issues. Fortunately, my indexing software (SKY Index Pro) allows a lot of flexibility about how I can accomplish any…
Healthy computer use
When I first had problems with “overuse” it was still designated as repetitive stress injury (RSI). Now it has become occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) or a number of other acronyms that I am ignoring. Working with the computer in the past has contributed to OOS; however, even the “recreational” use can contribute to the problem–it…
A break is…
There are breaks, and there are breaks–not all breaks are equivalent. There are times when a “head” break is needed–away from the index, away from the computer, and sometimes even away from the cat. Then there are the breaks that are for RSI prevention. Those are distinctly different from “head” breaks! Sometimes I hate my WorkPace…
Computer use safety
We all spend hours working at our computers–and at times end our workday aching and stiff, especially as deadlines loom menacingly. The thought of job-related injury is not something that we think of often–after all, we’re not using dangerous equipment; we are only sitting, reading, and writing–but it’s not something we should ignore. Often work…
Injury prevention software
I’ve now worked (real world indexing work on the motor disorders book) with both the finalists on the ergonomic break timers for the last 30 days. Of all that I looked at, only RSIGuard and WorkPace™ seemed worth serious attention. Here’s what I found: Both offer settings that will let you customize how they interact…
Great webinar!
I do love technology! From my desk in my home office I’ve attended an absolutely wonderful webinar on how to increase and maintain speed in indexing. So much good information, and so accessible. Kate Mertes is an excellent speaker, as well indexer. If you’re interested in indexing, this webinar will be available for purchase from…
Testing ergonomic break software
One of the things I discovered with the shift in computers is that I must have break-timer software installed on my computer. (Yes, I’m on again about breaks being necessary for safe, healthy computer use.) Perhaps it is a combination of the warm weather (how about hot and muggy) and the time that I’ve worked…
Requiem for a laptop…
Despite a new hard drive, a clean installation of Windows XP and a re-installation of Windows XP (the second time after I tried to install Windows 8 on it), the ASUS laptop, which has been my stand-in for desktop as well as my traveling computer for many years, seems to have crumped. Many blue screens…
Replacing software
This whole process of having to replace the hard drive in my primary indexing computer has been most instructive–it’s served to make me assess and reassess what software is really necessary for a safe, happy, healthy work environment. I haven’t reinstalled PawSense yet–and there’s a really good reason why not. It was very efficient in…
Graffito Indexing 