Surviving Emacs
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Surviving Emacs
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Re: Surviving Emacs
#2Being an owner of a Kinesis as well, I can attest it's one of the best $300 I've spent on anything related to my programming profession.
Re: Surviving Emacs
#3Interesting article. The thing that stood out the most, though, is that the author is so focused on solving the RSI problem through changing his tools (hardware & software) that I could not find any mention of the single most effective change one can make: an intelligent incorporation of strategic stretching in one's daily routine.
In my case, certain muscles were so tight that my wrists would curl inward while I slept. To solve this, I slept while wearing a cheap pair of wrist-braces that I got at the local pharmacy. During the month or two that I did this, I also performed a half-dozen different stretches specific to the muscles involved.
Sharon J. Butler's book "Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: And other Repetitive Strain Injuries" saved me. It is from this book that I pulled the stretches that I did. It is also this book that taught me proper stretching technique and what sensations to pay attention to while doing it.
After I learned these basic things, I discovered that my regular keyboard was just fine, and my addiction to emacs was just fine. I was afraid I would have to give up programming and playing the piano. Now all is right with the world.
Interesting aside: I did learn dvorak before I discovered the power of stretching, and I swear it helped a lot. YMMV.
Re: Surviving Emacs
#4Interesting article. The thing that stood out the most, though, is that the author is so focused on solving the RSI problem through changing his tools (hardware & software) that I could not find any mention of the single most effective change one can make: an intelligent incorporation of strategic stretching in one's daily routine. In my case, certain muscles were so tight that my wrists would curl inward while I sle…
Indeed. Typing timers like xwrits (http://www.lcdf.org/xwrits/) and workrave (http://www.workrave.org/welcome/) help, but the thing that's most directly helped me is a series of wrist stretches I learned while studying Aikido (a martial art that involves a lot of wrist joint locks). The names differ from school to school, but searching for "aikido wrist stretches" on youtube etc. should be good enough.
(I use Dvorak, too. I think it helps, but the chorded keys in Emacs are probably the bigger issue.)
Re: Surviving Emacs
#5Interesting article. The thing that stood out the most, though, is that the author is so focused on solving the RSI problem through changing his tools (hardware & software) that I could not find any mention of the single most effective change one can make: an intelligent incorporation of strategic stretching in one's daily routine. In my case, certain muscles were so tight that my wrists would curl inward while I sle…
Indeed. Typing timers like xwrits ( http://www.lcdf.org/xwrits/ ) and workrave ( http://www.workrave.org/welcome/ ) help, but the thing that's most directly helped me is a series of wrist stretches I learned while studying Aikido (a martial art that involves a lot of wrist joint locks). The names differ from school to school, but searching for "aikido wrist stretches" on youtube etc. should be good enough. (I use Dvo…
Interesting. I did find such a video on youtube, and the stretches appear to be similar to the ones I encountered in Butler's book.
The one video that I sampled, though, was entirely focused on the wrists. One interesting thing about the way muscular tension is networked throughout the body is that when one muscular group is compromised, another will compensate. This ultimately can cause a network of failures, so stretching all of the upper body, at the very least, is important in properly solving the RSI problem.
I'm sure an ancient art like Aikido addresses the whole body properly, but I thought it worth mentioning.
Re: Surviving Emacs
#6Interesting article. The thing that stood out the most, though, is that the author is so focused on solving the RSI problem through changing his tools (hardware & software) that I could not find any mention of the single most effective change one can make: an intelligent incorporation of strategic stretching in one's daily routine. In my case, certain muscles were so tight that my wrists would curl inward while I sle…
I've been using Dvorak (Type 2 with some modifications such as mapping the various types of parens to alt gr + homerow) for the last few months and it's helped me a lot, too. More than I expected, actually. The last few weeks I've been working very long hours due to ending up double-booked with customer projects (one got delayed) without any trouble, which wouldn't have been possible previously. The amount of travel is drastically reduced.
It's not the only measure I'm using: I've been using an MS Natural Keyboard Pro for years, which certainly didn't solve the problem entirely.
I haven't noticed correlation with exercise, but I'm willing to believe that doing none at all is bad for you. (I exercise semi-regularly)
Re: Surviving Emacs
#7Being an owner of a Kinesis as well, I can attest it's one of the best $300 I've spent on anything related to my programming profession.
I'm convinced that most people would be well served to care more about the keyboard they use.
While I've yet to try a Kinesis keyboard, I can attest that TypeMatrix (http://typematrix.com/) keyboards are superb (~ $120). Once you try one, you immediately realize how utterly backwards staggered keys are in the modern world.
Re: Surviving Emacs
#8Earlier quoted context omitted.
Indeed. Typing timers like xwrits ( http://www.lcdf.org/xwrits/ ) and workrave ( http://www.workrave.org/welcome/ ) help, but the thing that's most directly helped me is a series of wrist stretches I learned while studying Aikido (a martial art that involves a lot of wrist joint locks). The names differ from school to school, but searching for "aikido wrist stretches" on youtube etc. should be good enough. (I use Dvo…
Interesting. I did find such a video on youtube, and the stretches appear to be similar to the ones I encountered in Butler's book. The one video that I sampled, though, was entirely focused on the wrists. One interesting thing about the way muscular tension is networked throughout the body is that when one muscular group is compromised, another will compensate. This ultimately can cause a network of failures, so str…
Aikido is actually less than a hundred years old :)
Re: Surviving Emacs
#9Interesting article. The thing that stood out the most, though, is that the author is so focused on solving the RSI problem through changing his tools (hardware & software) that I could not find any mention of the single most effective change one can make: an intelligent incorporation of strategic stretching in one's daily routine. In my case, certain muscles were so tight that my wrists would curl inward while I sle…
Indeed. Typing timers like xwrits ( http://www.lcdf.org/xwrits/ ) and workrave ( http://www.workrave.org/welcome/ ) help, but the thing that's most directly helped me is a series of wrist stretches I learned while studying Aikido (a martial art that involves a lot of wrist joint locks). The names differ from school to school, but searching for "aikido wrist stretches" on youtube etc. should be good enough. (I use Dvo…
Heh, I practiced aikido for a while, too. And judo. We used to do a lot of those wrist exercises in aikido, but not in judo. I had no idea they were good for RSI. Thanks!
Re: Surviving Emacs
#10Earlier quoted context omitted.
Interesting. I did find such a video on youtube, and the stretches appear to be similar to the ones I encountered in Butler's book. The one video that I sampled, though, was entirely focused on the wrists. One interesting thing about the way muscular tension is networked throughout the body is that when one muscular group is compromised, another will compensate. This ultimately can cause a network of failures, so str…
Aikido is actually less than a hundred years old :)
Yeah, when I typed 'ancient' I thought someone would mention that. Can I be saved by assuming that it descended from older forms? ;-)