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What Does a Coder Do If They Can't Type?

nsaphra.github.io

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Re: What Does a Coder Do If They Can't Type?

#61

Post by groundlogic »

I got RSI like 15 years ago. The only thing that's worked for me long term when I'm actually doing coding all day long, is a combination of:

a) a keyboard holder below the desk - something similar to https://kw.pricenacdn.com/files/images/products/original/14/... - I got mine from IKEA a long time ago - unfortunately they discontinued that product - the key thing here is the get the keyboard as close to your legs as possible, i.e. enabling your arms to be purely horizontally oriented while typing - or ideally even sort of downwards-pointing.

b) Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro - manufactured 1999-2001 (e.g. https://mechanicalkeyboardtryout.blogspot.com/2016/03/micros... or http://www.dansdata.com/nkpro.htm) I have two of these; they're very durable. You'll need to wash the key caps in your dishwasher once a year.

Re: What Does a Coder Do If They Can't Type?

#62

Post by GeneralTspoon »

stevekemp wrote: post #41
tcoff91 wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Try doing some rock climbing either outdoors or at the rock gym. Fixed my hand pain real quick.

In my case too much bouldering caused forearm pain that lasted for two years. Didn't stop me from typing, but it did have a significant impact on my daily life :/

Same position here - going on 2 years now. Did you ever get a diagnosis?

The current theory of my doctor is that it’s a brachial plexus injury - just waiting on some MRI results to confirm.

Re: What Does a Coder Do If They Can't Type?

#63

Post by hestipod »

shakna wrote: post #48
m12k wrote: post #10

That story of how the doctors just dismissed her pain as delusion is terrifying. Doctors are supposed to be people of science, but one of the very fundamentals of science is to acknowledge that you don't know everything, that your current knowledge is just a theory that can be improved upon. I find there's a tendency among doctors to think they know every possible disease, and if someone comes along with one that doe…

Getting a diagnosis when you don't have something easily understood can be an utterly soul destroying process. I have fibromyalgia. Not as a label stuck to something that can't be understood, but firmly fitting to a disease that isn't yet fully understood. (Yay for me - I have every known symptom at one time or another.) It took ten years, an enormous amount of pain, two neurologists, three GPs, a psychiatrist and a…

I feel you. I have RSD, a related disease, and even today half the doctors I see either dismiss it or do not believe in it. I went through YEARS of blame and denial before a very kind specialist in Europe spent time with me and gave me answers. By then it was too late to put it in remission, but their treatments did reduce it some, for which I am grateful as I'd not have lasted beyond that time without it. But day to day its still life altering. It's taken so much from me, that I cannot even afford to deal with it well anymore, let alone the other inevitable medical things and aging.

Pain is too often ignored, dismissed, miscategorized. While psychosomatic issues and stress positively make things worse, it's not always the root of all issues and too often it's projected as such. It will ultimately be the end of me as there is no realistic way to get enough back to survive long term.

Re: What Does a Coder Do If They Can't Type?

#64

Post by yread »

modeless wrote: post #24

A friend of mine has a different solution to this problem which I think is really great. Programmer salaries are more than enough to pay someone to type for you. But he doesn't just hire typists. He trains apprentices. https://blog.iangilman.com/2018/06/wrists-apprentices.html

Oh that's Ian Gilman from Openseadragon! That's an awesome piece of software and in the issues Ian is always positive and ready to help

Re: What Does a Coder Do If They Can't Type?

#65

Post by bdcravens »

modeless wrote: post #24

A friend of mine has a different solution to this problem which I think is really great. Programmer salaries are more than enough to pay someone to type for you. But he doesn't just hire typists. He trains apprentices. https://blog.iangilman.com/2018/06/wrists-apprentices.html

Having a medical condition which causes bone density and arthritic issues, I’m certain my body will diminish far quicker than my brain will. Hiring a typist is the same conclusion I’ve come to as well, and ultimately it would inevitably become a pair programming session.

Re: What Does a Coder Do If They Can't Type?

#66

Post by mikelward »

kahlonel wrote: post #21

Kudos to this guy’s bravery; he is living my worst nightmare. My biggest fear is losing eyesight or ability to use hands, and articles like this confirm my beliefs that our current technology is no way near mature enough where disability isn’t a concern anymore. And these doctors, what can I say about them. It looks like they are getting worse, or just lazy, with every passing day. If you are a doctor and you don’t w…

The author is Naomi Saphra. Probably not a "he". :)

Re: What Does a Coder Do If They Can't Type?

#67

Post by Infinitesimus »

melling wrote: post #57
latchkey wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I also suffered from hand pain from typing and took up climbing both inside and a bit of outside for a good 8 years solid. I found bouldering to be way more intense than just top rope (eventually getting into lead) climbing. Most of my hand/arm injuries were from bouldering. I concur with the previous response though... climbing, done well and not over doing it... was the 100% solution to my pain problem. Sitting and…

I don’t suppose this could be translated into specific exercises in the gym?

Not the same especially with grip style but you can go a long way by strengthening your back. I'm talking of horizontal and vertical pulls (heavy rows, pullups, lat pulldowns, deadlifts to an extent).

In my unscientific observation, a lot of people have very weak posterior chains. My wrist pain has always (so far) been the result of a knot in my upper back or a weakness there.

Don't forget to foam roll, stretch and perhaps add in some periodic deep tissue massage to keep things from getting too tight cos that also brings problems

Re: What Does a Coder Do If They Can't Type?

#68

Post by ranieuwe »

groundlogic wrote: post #61

I got RSI like 15 years ago. The only thing that's worked for me long term when I'm actually doing coding all day long, is a combination of: a) a keyboard holder below the desk - something similar to https://kw.pricenacdn.com/files/images/products/original/14/... - I got mine from IKEA a long time ago - unfortunately they discontinued that product - the key thing here is the get the keyboard as close to your legs as…

My resolution has been to use a trackball. Literally resolved all my issues.

Switched to a mouse for a while, 2 months in RSI came back. Trackball it is.

Re: What Does a Coder Do If They Can't Type?

#69

Post by csallen »

modeless wrote: post #24

A friend of mine has a different solution to this problem which I think is really great. Programmer salaries are more than enough to pay someone to type for you. But he doesn't just hire typists. He trains apprentices. https://blog.iangilman.com/2018/06/wrists-apprentices.html

Thanks for sharing, this is great.
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