11–20 of 38 posts
2. Dvorak (use a typing tutor (like ten thumbs if on OSX))
3. Kinesis (not needed after 1 and 2 are fluent)
Almost left computing because of the pain, but after heeding the above 3 points, I'm back at 100%. No pain, and to top it off, I type faster. Win-win situation :) Oh, and get up and stretch every hour or two. If back pain is an issue (compressed L4 here), then get a desk you can stand at, and a comfy architects stool.
Physical pain is to be expected when you work on a laptop. I use my PC for long hours without any kind of discomfort, but working on the MacBook for even a few hours tires me out. Here is what I suggest: 1. Try using a desktop computer, if you can. 2. If you can't use a desktop, get a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse for your laptop. Use this setup when you're coding at home. 3. Learn and use Emacs or Vim. They'r…
If there was anything Sun got right in its workstation design, it was where they put the damn control key: next to your pinky, where it belongs.
A lot of people keep their hands at the keyboard for long periods of time; excessive use of keyboard shortcuts keeps you in the same position for longer. I find that typing in bursts works better for me; I hold my chin, lean back, etc. while I ponder what to code next. Rather than keeping your wrist in the same position a lot, it gets to flex and move around. I had a lot more pain while coding at home because I would…
May I suggest Zenburn? It has to be one of the most beautiful and comfortable color schemes out there. Available for both Emacs, Vim and a host of other editors/IDEs. http://slinky.imukuppi.org/zenburnpage/
I found these wrist stretches very helpful: http://www.fitsugar.com/309088 I also read somewhere that staring at a computer screen for a long period of time weakens the eyes. It suggested that every 20 minutes you should get out of your seat and walk around, concentrating on objects different distances away. Also, make sure you maintain good posture when sitting at the computer.
I don't have any scientific proof of this but I try to do it when possible as well. Once or twice per day I try to go outside and focus on things as far away as possible and try to make out detail. It definitely makes me more relaxed when I sit back down to work again.
Unless it has been diagnosed as carpel tunnel syndrome, I would guess that the wrist pain is actually a more general "repetitive stress injury" (RSI). Proper posture helps a lot for this, as does taking regular mini-breaks to let your wrists rest. Software RSI break timers help; I use AntiRSI on my mac. The idea is to let your arms hang down for 10 seconds or so every 5-10 minutes. Take longer breaks regularly, and s…
http://www.aboutcts.com/moreon_cts.html
Her main site is http://julstro.com which pertains to the whole body, but the aboutcts.com site deals specifically with carpal tunnel issues.
Also, dark color scheme is best. I have harmless floaters in my eyes but they make bright white backgrounds look like a freaking protozoan dance party.
wrist pain: for me, coldness was a big factor, so I have fingerless gloves onhand, rub my hands warm when sore, and of course try to keep the room warm. Awkward posture and being tense were also factors. And, for the first time ever, I went to the trouble of automating my common tasks in vim (esp. mapping keys to macros).
Straining an injury can make it permanent. Having done it myself, I sincerely do not recommend it.
Physical pain is to be expected when you work on a laptop. I use my PC for long hours without any kind of discomfort, but working on the MacBook for even a few hours tires me out. Here is what I suggest: 1. Try using a desktop computer, if you can. 2. If you can't use a desktop, get a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse for your laptop. Use this setup when you're coding at home. 3. Learn and use Emacs or Vim. They'r…
Additional tip on emacs: swap the Ctrl and Caps keys. If you are on Mac, use Aquamacs because it allows you to use the option key instead of the control key, which is awkwardly positioned on both PC and Mac. If there was anything Sun got right in its workstation design, it was where they put the damn control key: next to your pinky, where it belongs.
During intense job-related programming sessions, I'd have all sorts of hand and back aches. When programming just as intensely on a personal project, no aches at all.
Physical pain is to be expected when you work on a laptop. I use my PC for long hours without any kind of discomfort, but working on the MacBook for even a few hours tires me out. Here is what I suggest: 1. Try using a desktop computer, if you can. 2. If you can't use a desktop, get a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse for your laptop. Use this setup when you're coding at home. 3. Learn and use Emacs or Vim. They'r…
Additional tip on emacs: swap the Ctrl and Caps keys. If you are on Mac, use Aquamacs because it allows you to use the option key instead of the control key, which is awkwardly positioned on both PC and Mac. If there was anything Sun got right in its workstation design, it was where they put the damn control key: next to your pinky, where it belongs.
Personally, I use command and option as meta. I don't like Aquamacs, they make it just different enough from standard Emacs to be annoying.