[MACEP] laptops and ergonomics
Mike Cullum
mcullum at nsd.org
Tue Feb 28 06:22:11 PST 2006
I hate to admit it, but I¹ve also experienced some discomfort from hours of
using my laptop at my desk. It strikes especially at budget time when I am
hunched over a spreadsheet!
I seem to have solved the problem by purchasing a bluetooth keyboard and
mouse. I then put the laptop on a old monitor stand that puts the screen
about five or 6 inches above the desk. It works well AND I¹ve taken the
keyboard and mouse with me to do some presentations. It¹s nice to separate
yourself from the computers and drive from somewhere else in the room!
Cheers,
Mike
On 2/27/06 8:27 PM, "JeanineDuBois" <jbdubois at teleport.com> wrote:
> This looks perfect! Thank you so much for this. I think I'll get the 2
> dif. size bundle to cover home and school. These are guaranteed for a
> lifetime, but my neck may not be!
>
> --Jeanine
>
>
> On Monday, February 27, 2006, at 07:24 PM, Kaye Mushalik wrote:
>
>> > When I got my 15" PowerBook in December, I ordered this from the Apple
>> > Store. It works great and is lightweight so can go in your laptop > case.
>> >
>> > Road Tools PodiumPad
>> >
>> > Pivots 360 degrees but it has enough resistance so it won't freely
>> > pivot while you're typing. Very soft rubber really grips any laptop so
>> > there's nothing to attach, just place any laptop on it you ready to > go.
>> >
>> > Price: $29.95
>> >
>> > The base plate's trapezoidal shape and the 'Lexan' risers provide a
>> > rock-solid, stable base for serious typists. 'Furniture friendly'
>> > rubber feet really grab any surface.
>> >
>> > The PodiumPad increases the airspace under the computer as well as
>> > elevating the back. The six small rubber pads on the bottom of the
>> > PodiumPad really grip... a great tool for air travelers whose laptops
>> > slip off tray tables. The PodiumPad allows you to easily pivot your
>> > laptop so everyone gets to see your dazzling Powerpoint presentation
>> > without rubbernecking.
>> >
>> > www.roadtools.com
>> >
>> > You can adjust the back height and it does pivot easily but not too
>> > easily.
>> >
>> > You can see more about this at the web site.
>> >
>> > On Monday, February 27, 2006, at 06:47PM, JeanineDuBois
>> > <jbdubois at teleport.com> wrote:
>> >
>>> >> Nice gizmo!
>>> >>
>>> >> Hey! I have this plastic cookbook holder that is a pretty good wedge
>>> >> shape. If I can just add a lip to it to keep my laptop from sliding,
>>> >> it
>>> >> may work! Then I don't have to mess with a keyboard and mouse. I'm
>>> >> using it quite carefully (a little precariously) right now, and the
>>> >> angle is so much better for my eyes! It raises the screen about 3
>>> >> inches.
>>> >>
>>> >> I have a pretty good "rest" for wrists built into my home laptop.
>>> >>
>>> >> Thanks to everyone for such helpful input.
>>> >>
>>> >> --Jeanine DuBois
>>> >>
>>> >> On Monday, February 27, 2006, at 10:18 AM, Heidi Dahlin wrote:
>>> >>
>>>> >>> Our safety guy, working with maintenance, developed a laptop stand
>>>> >>> that all us
>>>> >>> mobile users are required to use. It works like a charm when coupled
>>>> >>> with an
>>>> >>> attached keyboard and mouse on a keyboard return. I have attached a
>>>> >>> photo. If you
>>>> >>> want specifics to build your own, I can send you the details.
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> Heidi Dahlin
>>>> >>> Instructional Technology Specialist
>>>> >>> Tigard-Tualatin School District
>>>> >>> hdahlin at ttsd.k12.or.us
>>>> >>> (503) 431-4055 (office)
>>>> >>> (503) 866-7085 (cell)
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> "Life isn't a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive
>>>> >>> safely, in a pretty
>>>> >>> and well-preserved package; but to skid across the line broadside,
>>>> >>> thoroughly used
>>>> >>> up, worn out, leaking oil and yelling WOO HOO!"
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> --
>>>> >>> On Sun, February 26, 2006 11:27 am, JeanineDuBois said:
>>>>> >>>> Definitely something I need to put constant attention into. I
>>>>> >>>> considered that I might need a separate monitor. Am trying other
>>>>> >>>> solutions first.
>>>>> >>>>
>>>>> >>>> Sure appreciate your specific and wise advice.
>>>>> >>>>
>>>>> >>>> --Jenaine
>>>>> >>>>
>>>>> >>>> On Sunday, February 26, 2006, at 10:39 AM, Mike Ely wrote:
>>>>> >>>>
>>>>>> >>>>> JeanineDuBois wrote:
>>>>>>> >>>>>> Hi again, folks!
>>>>>>> >>>>>> I'm wondering if anyone is having neck and back issues with using
>>>>>>> >>>>>> a
>>>>>>> >>>>>> laptop at a desk setting. Other than me, that is. When my hands
>>>>>>> >>>>>> and
>>>>>>> >>>>>> arms are at the right height and angle, I have my head bent down
>>>>>>> >>>>>> all
>>>>>>> >>>>>> the time. It's becoming a painful problem. I thought about
>>>>>>> >>>>>> creating
>>>>>>> >>>>>> a
>>>>>>> >>>>>> skid-free wedge to put under the keyboard, so that the laptop
>>>>>>> >>>>>> screen
>>>>>>> >>>>>> is a little better for my eye level (neck-wise). Any insights?
>>>>>> >>>>>
>>>>>> >>>>> Jeanie,
>>>>>> >>>>>
>>>>>> >>>>> First, try adjusting the angle of the screen so that it's pointing
>>>>>> >>>>> at
>>>>>> >>>>> your eyes with your head at the correct angle. Also, be sure you
>>>>>> >>>>> aren't tensing your shoulders... I've seen more people do this
>>>>>> >>>>> than I
>>>>>> >>>>> care to think about - they start typing and within a few seconds,
>>>>>> >>>>> their shoulders are up around their ears. Check your neck and
>>>>>> >>>>> shoulder tension every few seconds and relax appropriately. Get
>>>>>> >>>>> into
>>>>>> >>>>> the habit of doing this for a while and soon your body will take
>>>>>> >>>>> over
>>>>>> >>>>> and do things the right way.
>>>>>> >>>>>
>>>>>> >>>>> If this doesn't work, the other option would be to get an external
>>>>>> >>>>> monitor and set your laptop up to use it. This is particularly
>>>>>> >>>>> appropriate in a situation where you use your laptop at the same
>>>>>> >>>>> desk
>>>>>> >>>>> day after day.
>>>>>> >>>>>
>>>>>> >>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>> >>>>> Mike
>>>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> >>>>> MACEP mailing list MACEP at macep.net
>>>>>> >>>>> Archive: http://macep.net/pipermail/macep/
>>>>>> >>>>> http://macep.net/mailman/listinfo/macep
>>>>>> >>>>>
>>>>>> >>>>>
>>>>> >>>> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>> >>>> --
>>>>> >>>> --
>>>>> >>>> -----------------------
>>>>> >>>> --Jeanine DuBois
>>>>> >>>>
>>>>> >>>> Compassion's Doorway - Biofield Therapy/Energy Work:
>>>>> >>>> http://compassions-doorway.com
>>>>> >>>> Tigard High Internet web sites:
>>>>> >>>> http://ths.ttsd.k12.or.us/jdubois/JD.html
>>>>> >>>> Jeanine's No Sugar Added Recipes:
>>>>> >>>> http://home.teleport.com/~jbdubois/SugarFree.shtml
>>>>> >>>> Masters Miracles products:
>>>>> >>>> http://doorway2.themastersmiracle.com
>>>>> >>>> Commemorating my husband, Bill DuBois:
>>>>> >>>> http://home.teleport.com/~jbdubois/Bill_DuBois.shtml
>>>>> >>>> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>> >>>> --
>>>>> >>>> --
>>>>> >>>> -----------------------
>>>>> >>>>
>>>>> >>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> >>>> MACEP mailing list
>>>>> >>>> MACEP at macep.net
>>>>> >>>> Archive: http://macep.net/pipermail/macep/
>>>>> >>>> http://macep.net/mailman/listinfo/macep
>>>>> >>>>
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> --
>>>> >>> Heidi Dahlin
>>>> >>> Instructional Technology Specialist
>>>> >>> Tigard-Tualatin School District
>>>> >>> hdahlin at ttsd.k12.or.us
>>>> >>> (503) 431-4055 (office)
>>>> >>> (503) 866-7085 (cell)
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> "Life isn't a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive
>>>> >>> safely, in a pretty
>>>> >>> and well-preserved package; but to skid across the line broadside,
>>>> >>> thoroughly used
>>>> >>> up, worn out, leaking oil and yelling WOO
>>>> >>> HOO!"<stand.jpg>_______________________________________________
>>>> >>> MACEP mailing list
>>>> >>> MACEP at macep.net
>>>> >>> Archive: http://macep.net/pipermail/macep/
>>>> >>> http://macep.net/mailman/listinfo/macep
>>>> >>>
>>> >> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> >> --
>>> >> -----------------------
>>> >> --Jeanine DuBois
>>> >>
>>> >> Compassion's Doorway - Biofield Therapy/Energy Work:
>>> >> http://compassions-doorway.com
>>> >> Tigard High Internet web sites:
>>> >> http://ths.ttsd.k12.or.us/jdubois/JD.html
>>> >> Jeanine's No Sugar Added Recipes:
>>> >> http://home.teleport.com/~jbdubois/SugarFree.shtml
>>> >> Masters Miracles products:
>>> >> http://doorway2.themastersmiracle.com
>>> >> Commemorating my husband, Bill DuBois:
>>> >> http://home.teleport.com/~jbdubois/Bill_DuBois.shtml
>>> >> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> >> --
>>> >> -----------------------
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> MACEP mailing list
>>> >> MACEP at macep.net
>>> >> Archive: http://macep.net/pipermail/macep/
>>> >> http://macep.net/mailman/listinfo/macep
>>> >>
>>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > Kaye Mushalik
>> > mailto:kmush at mac.com
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > MACEP mailing list
>> > MACEP at macep.net
>> > Archive: http://macep.net/pipermail/macep/
>> > http://macep.net/mailman/listinfo/macep
>> >
>> >
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -----------------------
> --Jeanine DuBois
>
> Compassion's Doorway - Biofield Therapy/Energy Work:
> http://compassions-doorway.com
> Tigard High Internet web sites:
> http://ths.ttsd.k12.or.us/jdubois/JD.html
> Jeanine's No Sugar Added Recipes:
> http://home.teleport.com/~jbdubois/SugarFree.shtml
> Masters Miracles products:
> http://doorway2.themastersmiracle.com
> Commemorating my husband, Bill DuBois:
> http://home.teleport.com/~jbdubois/Bill_DuBois.shtml
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -----------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> MACEP mailing list
> MACEP at macep.net
> Archive: http://macep.net/pipermail/macep/
> http://macep.net/mailman/listinfo/macep
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Cullum
Director of Infrastructure and Instructional Technologies
Northshore School District
3330 Monte Villa Parkway
Bothell, WA 98021-7215
Telephone: (425)489-6322 Fax:(425)489-6317
Email: mcullum at nsd.org
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