Live data from Hacker News

The cost of a [programmers] chair

jeremyhutchings.com

1–10 of 41 posts

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#2
yes, we all understand that ergonomics are important. But adjusting the proper chair properly and desk height are just as important for programmer comfort and health.

How come there isn't much discussion of this? most of the hits on a google search for "ergonomic experts" are for 'expert witnesses' for workmans comp trials.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#4
I'd argue that the most important piece of equipment you can give a programmer is a good chair. Not only are the bad ones bad for you, but they break easily IMO. I'm 175 pounds and have gone through 4 chairs in 3 years of service. The chairs are conformable though so it wasn't that bad. But I ended bringing my own chair and when asked about it, I got reimbursed.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#5
post #4

I'd argue that the most important piece of equipment you can give a programmer is a good chair. Not only are the bad ones bad for you, but they break easily IMO. I'm 175 pounds and have gone through 4 chairs in 3 years of service. The chairs are conformable though so it wasn't that bad. But I ended bringing my own chair and when asked about it, I got reimbursed.

If they break they must be unsafe as well, I dare say there is some kind of argument there for sure.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#6
I actually replaced my chair today with one of these:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50178864

I'm 6'2' and this is the first chair I've had that's tall enough for me - the headrest doesn't hit below the neck. Hopefully it'll wear well.

It doesn't have too many controls, which is a feature IMHO. I've tried Aeron's before and frankly find them to be confusing and uncomfortable, but that's from limited exposure.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#7
post #2

yes, we all understand that ergonomics are important. But adjusting the proper chair properly and desk height are just as important for programmer comfort and health. How come there isn't much discussion of this? most of the hits on a google search for "ergonomic experts" are for 'expert witnesses' for workmans comp trials.

Because that's where most of the money is made for ergonomics experts, serving as witnesses in trials.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#8
post #2

yes, we all understand that ergonomics are important. But adjusting the proper chair properly and desk height are just as important for programmer comfort and health. How come there isn't much discussion of this? most of the hits on a google search for "ergonomic experts" are for 'expert witnesses' for workmans comp trials.

Because that's where most of the money is made for ergonomics experts, serving as witnesses in trials.

clearly. However, there should be some lower-end services targeting small businesses. I mean, most money in outsourced IT is made selling to giant companies... but I can still call up 'geek squad' or any number of services targeted at the small business market that may not give me the same level of service large corps get, but they are often better than nothing for people who know little of IT.

My question is where is the equivalent of "geek squad" for ergonomics? Hell, I'd be willing to pay a significantly higher hourly rate than geek squad, just 'cause I don't need the ergo people as often as you need IT.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#9
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because that's where most of the money is made for ergonomics experts, serving as witnesses in trials.

clearly. However, there should be some lower-end services targeting small businesses. I mean, most money in outsourced IT is made selling to giant companies... but I can still call up 'geek squad' or any number of services targeted at the small business market that may not give me the same level of service large corps get, but they are often better than nothing for people who know little of IT. My question is where i…

It would be a good market, one small org could deal with a lot of local companies, they could also have a side line in 2nd hand chairs & kit from failed status ups etc.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#10
post #5
post #4

I'd argue that the most important piece of equipment you can give a programmer is a good chair. Not only are the bad ones bad for you, but they break easily IMO. I'm 175 pounds and have gone through 4 chairs in 3 years of service. The chairs are conformable though so it wasn't that bad. But I ended bringing my own chair and when asked about it, I got reimbursed.

If they break they must be unsafe as well, I dare say there is some kind of argument there for sure.

Hah! You should see our chair graveyard, since I'm not the only one that breaks them. We have probably around 12 broken chairs in a corner.
Post reply on HN