Avoid hemorrhoids: Improve Hacking and Health by Moving Your Chair

It's a "Fredrik" from Ikea, which courteously lets you choose the height of the desk and shelves, and doesn't stop you from putting them in the wrong spots. I've been using it for almost a year, and it's perfectly sturdy.

One caveat: make sure you make it high enough. Using a standing desk when the keyboard is even a few inches too low can be miserable on your back. The desk should be at the height of your elbows, and no lower.

Re: Avoid hemorrhoids: Improve Hacking and Health by Moving Your Chair

#5

Post by jimmyjim » Tue, Mar 30, 2010, 2:41 AM UTC

I have one question as regards ergonomics. How do you keep good neck posture? I've a habit of protruding my head outward really close to the monitor, and reading books at a very close distance (like 6 inches). As a result, my shoulders, neck, and head now make out the x^3 curve (it should of course ideally be somewhat straight). I have to consciously think about keeping my neck straight... but it's very hard to be mindful of this 24/7.

Re: Avoid hemorrhoids: Improve Hacking and Health by Moving Your Chair

#6

Post by electromagnetic » Tue, Mar 30, 2010, 2:52 AM UTC

dougfort wrote: post #2

Reading this from my chair

I stand all day as it is, so I prefer my computer time to be spent with my buttocks in a nice comfy chair.

Re: Avoid hemorrhoids: Improve Hacking and Health by Moving Your Chair

#7

Post by goodside » Tue, Mar 30, 2010, 2:55 AM UTC

jimmyjim wrote: post #5

I have one question as regards ergonomics. How do you keep good neck posture? I've a habit of protruding my head outward really close to the monitor, and reading books at a very close distance (like 6 inches). As a result, my shoulders, neck, and head now make out the x^3 curve (it should of course ideally be somewhat straight). I have to consciously think about keeping my neck straight... but it's very hard to be mi…

Raise the monitor until you have to look straight ahead to use it. Bring it closer to you if necessary. Get glasses.

Re: Avoid hemorrhoids: Improve Hacking and Health by Moving Your Chair

#8

Post by jimmyjim » Tue, Mar 30, 2010, 2:59 AM UTC

goodside wrote: post #7

jimmyjim wrote: post #5

I have one question as regards ergonomics. How do you keep good neck posture? I've a habit of protruding my head outward really close to the monitor, and reading books at a very close distance (like 6 inches). As a result, my shoulders, neck, and head now make out the x^3 curve (it should of course ideally be somewhat straight). I have to consciously think about keeping my neck straight... but it's very hard to be mi…

Raise the monitor until you have to look straight ahead to use it. Bring it closer to you if necessary. Get glasses.

My eye sight is perfectly fine (well, with the glasses on), so that's not a problem. It's just a habit I've had for as long as I can remember. I would bring it closer to me, but I think that's bad for the eyes. I'd kill for the E-ink technology to come to computer screen monitors, even if it's with a bad refresh rate.

Re: Avoid hemorrhoids: Improve Hacking and Health by Moving Your Chair

#9

Post by rarrrrrr » Tue, Mar 30, 2010, 3:18 AM UTC

jimmyjim wrote: post #5

I have one question as regards ergonomics. How do you keep good neck posture? I've a habit of protruding my head outward really close to the monitor, and reading books at a very close distance (like 6 inches). As a result, my shoulders, neck, and head now make out the x^3 curve (it should of course ideally be somewhat straight). I have to consciously think about keeping my neck straight... but it's very hard to be mi…

For me it's a large screen and big comfy font size. You might find that resistance training helps, especially back and core/abdominal. An expert trainer will likely be able to identify what's needed.

Re: Avoid hemorrhoids: Improve Hacking and Health by Moving Your Chair

#10

Post by tokenadult » Tue, Mar 30, 2010, 3:27 AM UTC

I've been sitting on an exercise ball for the last couple years, since I read a local newspaper article about schools in my community that offer those to schoolchildren to sit on. But only last week I discovered that most school exercise balls have knobs on them that keep them in place. Mine is a regular ball, which can roll in any direction. Maintaining my balance provides subtle movement any time I am at the computer, which is a lot of each day for me.

P.S. What do all of you recommend for more ergonomic keyboards and pointing devices? I am not happy with my Dell keyboard nor with any mouse, but the last trackball I tried was even more annoying than my current mouse. (I have liked trackballs very well in the past, but I have to favor my thumb basal joints now that I am older.)