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Supine Computing (2019)

mgsloan.com

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Re: Supine Computing (2019)

#21

Post by bee_rider »

jacksonkmarley wrote: post #13

I tried a few things at the start of the local lockdown, and soon found that laying flat on my back was a bit impractical (this guy seems to have found some solutions which I consider too much hassle like the suspended laptop). Also I find that laying flat on my back puts pressure on my lower back, perhaps due to tight abductor muscles or something. What I found was that with a couple of pillows on my couch, I could…

The best I managed was with a proper sleeping hammock (not one with the evil spreader bars like he has here), and a bunch of blankets curled up into long 'snakes' that I could wrap around my body where necessary. I had an armature with a monitor over the hammock, although a laptop propped up with pillows could probably be done as well.

It was actually a really comfortable setup, which is not what these experiments usually result in for me, but it did take up a ton of space (indoor hammock stands are pretty huge). My favorite bit part is that a sleeping hammock is a pretty nice and dynamic thing to lay in. You can fidget and change positions every few minutes and it will usually reconfigure itself into a somewhat reasonable position. Plus, pop a VR headset on and you have a pretty good spaceship.

Re: Supine Computing (2019)

#22

Post by bee_rider »

It is weird to me that somebody could be so enthusiastic about finding different ways to lay on things, but could have a hammock with a spreader bar. Sleeping hammocks are generally known to be much better, right?

Re: Supine Computing (2019)

#23

Post by pattisapu »

A worse but simpler solution:

Cram the keyboard end of a laptop between the headboard of a bed and the wall, rotate the display 180º in the OS settings, and plug in an external keyboard and mouse. Lie down in bed and compute.

Works okay except that strain is then offloaded either to your wrists if you have a regular keyboard (not like the OP has), or legs if you arch them underneath the keyboard.

Re: Supine Computing (2019)

#24

Post by megameter »

frereubu wrote: post #2

This reminds me of when I did something nasty to my back and could only lie down - instead of mounting my laptop I hooked it up to a projector I already had for films and pointed it at the ceiling. It required low light, but it was what I had available at the time and worked for the length of time it took for my back to get better. However, I have to quibble with the "Healthy Hacking: DIY Supine Workstation" article…

Supine posture isn't really all that static if you're awake and on a surface at least as hard as tatami - you can shift around on the floor much more than in a chair, especially if the monitor can adjust a bit with you. Add a pillow anywhere and your entire force distribution changes. I would be a little more suspicious of the hammock idea, or soft beds. If you're sinking into it, it's obviously immobilizing.

Floor desking is my go-to for maximum variability though. It just needs "enough" monitor height/size that you don't hunch over to peer at the text. The rest happens naturally.

In both cases I use only a wireless keyboard/trackpad combo now. When I started out doing this I quickly realized it was the peripherals that were the problem.

Re: Supine Computing (2019)

#26

Post by jacksonkmarley »

bee_rider wrote: post #21
jacksonkmarley wrote: post #13

I tried a few things at the start of the local lockdown, and soon found that laying flat on my back was a bit impractical (this guy seems to have found some solutions which I consider too much hassle like the suspended laptop). Also I find that laying flat on my back puts pressure on my lower back, perhaps due to tight abductor muscles or something. What I found was that with a couple of pillows on my couch, I could…

The best I managed was with a proper sleeping hammock (not one with the evil spreader bars like he has here), and a bunch of blankets curled up into long 'snakes' that I could wrap around my body where necessary. I had an armature with a monitor over the hammock, although a laptop propped up with pillows could probably be done as well. It was actually a really comfortable setup, which is not what these experiments us…

I never managed to get properly comfortable in hammocks, always felt like my feet were up too high and the edges were too restricting.

Re: Supine Computing (2019)

#27

Post by bee_rider »

jacksonkmarley wrote: post #26
bee_rider wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The best I managed was with a proper sleeping hammock (not one with the evil spreader bars like he has here), and a bunch of blankets curled up into long 'snakes' that I could wrap around my body where necessary. I had an armature with a monitor over the hammock, although a laptop propped up with pillows could probably be done as well. It was actually a really comfortable setup, which is not what these experiments us…

I never managed to get properly comfortable in hammocks, always felt like my feet were up too high and the edges were too restricting.

Of course the diagonal orientation is important, but I guess that's probably the first advice you found when trying it out, so I won't repeat it. So, yeah, they aren't necessarily for everyone.

Re: Supine Computing (2019)

#28

Post by popctrl »

jtlienwis wrote: post #15

Have you tried the simple solution of putting an ice pack on your back? Also, stop driving in your car with your wallet in your back pocket. Also, avoid hot tub as this will make it worse. Don't sit for long periods. Get up and walk. You look young and healthy and these are the solutions I had when I was younger when I had back pain.

I have chronic back pain due to a disease which went undiagnosed for most of my life.

I understand that this comment is made in good faith and with the best of intents, but I loathe getting this kind of advice. I'm not trying to be a dick, I just want to let you know that this advice is extremely frustrating for a lot of people suffering from back pain. ESPECIALLY "you look young and healthy"...Yea thanks, I'll probably still look young when I'm in a wheelchair.

PS If your back hurts and your doctor doesn't seem to believe you or care, get a new doctor.

Re: Supine Computing (2019)

#29

Post by least »

elliottkember wrote: post #3
frereubu wrote: post #2

This reminds me of when I did something nasty to my back and could only lie down - instead of mounting my laptop I hooked it up to a projector I already had for films and pointed it at the ceiling. It required low light, but it was what I had available at the time and worked for the length of time it took for my back to get better. However, I have to quibble with the "Healthy Hacking: DIY Supine Workstation" article…

I recently read the phrase "the most ergonomic position is the next one" somewhere, and thought it was very memorable.

Changing it up is really important for certain. In fact ergonomic advice for dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome is going to contradict advice for dealing with ulnar tunnel syndrome.

Re: Supine Computing (2019)

#30

Post by christophergs »

frereubu wrote: post #2

This reminds me of when I did something nasty to my back and could only lie down - instead of mounting my laptop I hooked it up to a projector I already had for films and pointed it at the ceiling. It required low light, but it was what I had available at the time and worked for the length of time it took for my back to get better. However, I have to quibble with the "Healthy Hacking: DIY Supine Workstation" article…

Yep, the projector approach is what I've used before. Here are some pics/write up: https://coursemaker.org/blog/create-affordable-lay-down-desk...
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