Ergonomic Computing and Open Source
Devices Plus Habits
All these solutions combined do not completely eliminate the injuries caused by spending too much time in front of the computer. However, since I now use an ergonomic chair, keyboard, and pointing device, I can say that the combined effect reduces the injuries of a full day at the computer by at least 80 percent in my case. Even when I have twinges at the end of a day, they are gone by the next morning.
The effect is even higher when I use software that forces me to take a regular break, like Take a Break [14]. Such software can break my concentration – usually at the worst possible time – but, together with ergonomic hardware, it can keep me working long hours for days at a time.
Going completely ergonomic is hard, and using open source whenever you can is even harder. However, the combination is not impossible in many cases, especially when combined with some sensible work habits, like using keyboard shortcuts or taking regular breaks. While some gaps in functionality remain, the combination is at least possible to a degree not previously available as recently as five years ago.
Infos
- Standing desks: http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/health/prolonged-standing-at-work-can-cause-discomfort-throughout-body/article_4945560c-b3b4-55f6-a078-83a34ced7cbc.html
- Humanfactor: http://www.humanfactorseating.co.uk/
- Steelcase: http://web.steelcase.com/wellness/index.html#/physical/
- Herman Miller: http://store.hermanmiller.com/office/office-chairs?lang=en_US
- Vim keybindings: https://www.reddit.com/r/vim/comments/3tluqr/my_list_of_applications_with_vi_keybindings/
- Razer keyboards: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=razer+keyboard&t=ffnt&atb=v59-2aa&ia=products
- Input Club: https://input.club/
- ErgoDox EZ: https://ergodox-ez.com/
- Input Club Infinity ErgoDox: https://input.club/devices/infinity-ergodox/
- Keyboardio Model 01: https://shop.keyboard.io/
- Mouse design: https://www.alexfergus.com/blog/the-best-ergonomic-computer-mouse-and-why-your-wrist-needs-it
- Ergonomic mouse designs: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=ergonomic+mouse&t=ffnt&atb=v59-2aa&ia=products
- Wacom: https://www.wacom.com/en-us
- Take a Break: https://linoxide.com/linux-how-to/tool-force-users-periodical-breaks/
« Previous 1 2
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you've found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
PipeWire 1.0 Officially Released
PipeWire was created to take the place of the oft-troubled PulseAudio and has finally reached the 1.0 status as a major update with plenty of improvements and the usual bug fixes.
-
Rocky Linux 9.3 Available for Download
The latest version of the RHEL alternative is now available and brings back cloud and container images for ppc64le along with plenty of new features and fixes.
-
Ubuntu Budgie Shifts How to Tackle Wayland
Ubuntu Budgie has yet to make the switch to Wayland but with a change in approaches, they're finally on track to making it happen.
-
TUXEDO's New Ultraportable Linux Workstation Released
The TUXEDO Pulse 14 blends portability with power, thanks to the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS CPU.
-
AlmaLinux Will No Longer Be "Just Another RHEL Clone"
With the release of AlmaLinux 9.3, the distribution will be built entirely from upstream sources.
-
elementary OS 8 Has a Big Surprise in Store
When elementary OS 8 finally arrives, it will not only be based on Ubuntu 24.04 but it will also default to Wayland for better performance and security.
-
OpenELA Releases Enterprise Linux Source Code
With Red Hat restricting the source for RHEL, it was only a matter of time before those who depended on that source struck out on their own.
-
StripedFly Malware Hiding in Plain Sight as a Cryptocurrency Miner
A rather deceptive piece of malware has infected 1 million Windows and Linux hosts since 2017.
-
Experimental Wayland Support Planned for Linux Mint 21.3
As with most Linux distributions, the migration to Wayland is in full force. While some distributions have already made the move, Linux Mint has been a bit slower to do so.
-
Window Maker Live 0.96.0-0 Released
If you're a fan of the Window Maker window manager, there's a new official release of the Linux distribution that champions the old-school user interface.