Tips and tricks - keyboards
There is a growing variety of keyboards available. Here are some points to ponder when peering at yours.
Choosing a keyboard
It is a bit like choosing shoes: zillions of patterns, few seem to fit. The parallel ends, in that most computers come with a keyboard supplied. These usually have a great lump on the right hand side, which is the number pad.
Number pads originated in the days when computers were used in large companies for data entry. Visions of rows of employees like battery hens, rattling away at the keyboards whilst transferring information from paper to computer.
No rodents (mouses?) in those days, so the right hand did not have to swing any further out to the right.
But nowadays a mouse is the norm and so people have to push their hand and arm outwards. Or pull the keyboard to the left and sit (like I am at the moment) slightly squiff to the screen.
Not good. Points to remember when thinking about keyboards:
* When typing, your upper arms should hang vertically from the shoulder. If they are not, something is amiss with your position. The chest should be carried well (as this gets your head above it) and not sunk in (as then your head comes forward, straining the neck.)
* The fingers should be in the same line as the forearm, your hand should not be cocked up or angled down at the wrist.
* If you do not need the number pad, get a keyboard without one (have a look at www.keyboardco.com, where you will be spoilt for choice.) This is particularly the case if you have narrow shoulders, though if your alias is A. Schw*rz*negger, you can probably get by with the normal keyboard.
* Depending on your work pattern, it may be helpful to get a shorter keyboard with a detachable number pad. Some people are happy to move the mouse to the left for symmetry.
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