Jono Bacon believes that all DEs should include a utility that reminds the user of taking a break every so often, in order to escape RSI. Workrave (with the cute sheep mascot) is a good example.
Repetitive “Software” Injury: The Responsibility of the DEs
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Don’t know about KDE, but in GNOME you can set that using
GNOME-menu->Settings->Keyboard->Pause in typing
It is kinda strange that this is integrated into the keyboard preferences, but it exists.
Its not like its that hard. Couldnt you just setup a quick cron script?
wrong news …
The mascot should be a clip.
As a previous poster said, Gnome includes typing break, which is based on a program that was once called “DrWrite” and then got sucked up into the Gnome DE as a core feature.
In terms of having a diagram that shows you how to exercise, that’s pointless. Go to the library and get a good book of RSI exercises. Memorize a couple, and then just get used to doing them whenevr the break screen comes up.
when I must use windows, I use Kadmi software’s breaktime, which is the same thing as DrWrite basically.
But the article is in good spirit. People SHOULD worry about RSI, and should take breaks (possibly breaks enforced by software). And, if you want to really help your mousing hand, go buy a Quill Mouse:
http://www.quillmouse.com
and it’s painful. And I don’t do half of Jono’s sitting time. So beware.
In terms of having a diagram that shows you how to exercise, that’s pointless. Go to the library and get a good book of RSI exercises. Memorize a couple, and then just get used to doing them whenevr the break screen comes up.
Are you really being this obtuse, seriously? It’s useless to have a diagram because the user should go to a library? Well christ, I guess it’s useless for any program to have inbuilt help, since they could just go hire a book detailing how to use it.
I’ve been suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome for quite some time. To alleviate the pain and still be able to work, I bought a tablet. Man, it’s way better than having to use a rounded brick, which the mouse is. Now, I’m looking for a keyboard with soft keys : the popular ones (from Microsoft or Logitech) make me feel as if I’m one of those kung fu practitioners who would do anything to harden their finger tips (you know, like Jacky Chan). This raises the following question : do keyboard manufacturers actually test their own products before selling them to people ? I’m talking about this because no matter what software you use, if the hardware is a sado-masochist dream come true, you won’t escape RSI.
I’ll even use his analogy to illustrate his incorrect assertion:
Construction workers wear hardhats and do construction all day long. Most anybody can swing a hammer. Does that mean that everyone should be issued a hard hat? No. Only the people that specifically need them get them.
IT workers use computers for their career. Most everybody has a computer to check email and surf the web a little, though. Does that mean that everyone should have RSI software? No, because RSI isn’t going to afflict everybody. It’s most likely going to get the IT professionals. The home users who don’t use a computer straight for 40+ hrs a week aren’t normally at risk of RSI. Therefore RSI software doesn’t need to be at the OS level. 3rd party RSI apps fulfil the need just fine.
I used to suffer from rsi, and finally bought a kinesis maxim keyboard ( http://www.kinesis-ergo.Com ). I am now extremely happy, no more pain.
i need an app like this for windows as well as linux. any windows suggestions?
Workrave is cross-platform.
Sounds silly, the DE is not your mother. These tools are nice, but they don’t contribute to your efficiency (short term).