I recently stumbled on DVzine.org via HobbyLobby, and I just have to share. Dvorak is an alterntive keyboard layout (as opposed to QWERTY), that is easier, more efficient, and can potentially prevent injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. Why don’t we use it? You’ll have to read the 24 page Dvorak zine to [...]
Archive for March, 2007
The Dvorak Zine: Learn about Dvorak the fun way
Published by March 30th, 2007 in Dvorak, Human Computer Interaction, Humor and Uncategorized. 1 CommentBeyond Multi-Touch: Gesture Based Interaction Technology
Published by March 30th, 2007 in Human Computer Interaction, Uncategorized and Videos. 2 CommentsI blogged previously about multi-touch technology, an interaction design that has been around for a while but will probably become more popular with the release of the iPhone. Meanwhile, ‘back at the lab’ even more exciting things are in the works.
Amar at UIScape recently blogged about how computer scientist Andrew Wilson is working on technology [...]
Frank Gilbreth: Pioneer of Occupational Ergonomics
Published by March 28th, 2007 in Ergonomics and Society, History of Ergonomics, Occupational Safety, Uncategorized and Videos. 2 CommentsFrank Gilbreth (1868-1924) was a pioneer of motion study and occupational ergonomics. He became interested in motion study during his first job as a brick layer, where he noticed that unnecessary motions were primarily responsible for making the job tiring and back breaking.
Gilbreth and his wife (Lillian Gilbreth) later went on to study the [...]
iGallop: Ride Your Way to Better Health
Published by March 27th, 2007 in Chairs and Furniture, Other Products, Stretches and Exercizes, Uncategorized and Videos. 4 CommentsThe iGallop ($400) is a funny looking ‘exercise machine’ available at Brookstone designed to give its users an excellent workout by simulating the action of riding a horse.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwocdImA6Z8]
The principle of iGallop is actually quite similar to the principles behind sitting on an exercise ball. The iGallop moves in a ‘tri-axial riding action’ which activates [...]
GentleMouse Review: Ergonomic Software for RSI Relief
Published by March 23rd, 2007 in Keyboards and Mice, Product Reviews, Software and Uncategorized. 0 CommentsGentleMouse is an ergonomic software program that lets you perform everyday mouse commands simply by making small movements of the cursor over well-placed menu commands. I blogged about GentleMouse when the software was first released, but I had no first hand knowledge of how it worked. Luckily, ExtremeTech did a full review of [...]
Human Computer Interaction: Breaking the Chair-and-Desk Paradigm
Published by March 22nd, 2007 in Chairs and Furniture, Ergonomics and Society, Human Computer Interaction and Uncategorized. 2 CommentsWhen personal computers first entered our homes and offices a generation ago, we conceptualized them mainly as high tech typewriters. Sit at your desk, look at the screen, and type. Although most computer work is still done via the chair-and-desk setup, this paradigm is shifting.
Whether it’s substituting desk chairs for bouncy balls, beds, [...]
Usability Matters: Web Sites That Suck
Published by March 20th, 2007 in Human Computer Interaction, Humor, Uncategorized, Usability and Videos. 1 CommentWith his 1996 launch of WebPagesThatSuck.com, Vincent Flanders has been a pioneer in the field of website usability.
WebPagesThatSuck.com became an extremely popular destination on the web, winning a number of awards including one of PC Magazine’s Top 100 Web Sites.
Because of the publicity his site received and his use of humor as a teaching tool, [...]
Abs Diet Prevents Carpal Tunnel and Back Pain
Published by March 15th, 2007 in Back and Spine, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Uncategorized. 1 CommentI started reading the Abs Diet, which promotes a diet and exercise program designed to remove fat and build muscles, especially in the midsection. According to the Abs Diet, having strong abs leads to living a healthier, longer life free from back pain and injury.
A Dutch study of nearly 6,000 men found that those [...]
6 Tips for Increasing Your Productivity at Work
Published by March 14th, 2007 in Human Computer Interaction, Office Ergonomics, Uncategorized and macroergonomics. 98 CommentsThe other day, as I was IMing with a couple friends, filling out a forwarded “10-things-you-didn’t-know-about-me” survey and replying to a group email thread, I got to thinking, what did people do before all email, IM, and YouTube? Maybe they actually got all their work done.
It is important to take short breaks from work [...]
3 Hidden Costs of Office Ergonomics
Published by March 12th, 2007 in Office Ergonomics, Uncategorized and macroergonomics. 7 Comments“We did an independent survey with one firm and found that 60 per cent of the reasons that people gave for leaving that firm were to do with their core workplace environment,†recalls Nick Cook, managing director at consultancy Haywards. Poor lighting, poor storage, poor desk configuration, and poor worker interaction because of badly designed [...]