Evoluent VerticalMouse 2 promotes ergonomic handshake positioning

I wonder if anyone has studied the ergonomic attributes of this mouse? ...

"For anyone who’s suffered from the aches and pains associated with repetitive stress injuries, one of the hardest things to find is an ergonomic pointing device. One recent entrant with an intriguing approach is the Evoluent VerticalMouse 2, a second-generation optical mouse that is designed to be gripped by the entire hand in a vertical “handshake” position, rather than in the standard palms-down pose. The manufacturer claims the shape eliminates one of the major culprits leading to RSI: twisted forearms. While we can see how the design might be useful for gamers or others who keep their hands on their pointers for long periods of time, we worry that it could lead to more twisting among those who constantly switch from keyboard to mouse, since you’ll be moving from palms-down on the keys to the handshake position on the mouse. But if you’re looking for something to reduce those wrist and finger pains, and are willing to risk $60 for it, the VerticalMouse — which comes in both left and right-handed versions — could be worth a try."   continued ...   (Via Engadget)

A handshake approach to mouse movements.

Mobile Phone Handset Able to Slow Down Speakers' Voice Speed

A real benefit for the elderly ...

"NTT DoCoMo, Inc. will release a mobile phone able to slow down speakers' voice speed in August 2005. The key targeted users are the elderly, reveals Tech-on.

The speed converter technology slows down speakers' voice speed up to 0.7x, so the listener can feel like that the speakers' dialogue goes slowly. The technology does not slow down the voice part, but shortens the part without sound between phrases. When a time lag between the original voice and the converted voice exceeds one second, the function automatically stops.

Screen visibility is improved by a semi-transmissive LCD panel called an "all-round LCD." DoCoMo also prepared a main menu screen exclusively designed for the handset. By reducing the number of menu items as well as using relatively large icons, screen operation became easier than before. Other functions include a system to start an emergency alarm of about 80 dB and a pedometer. If users input their body weight and length of stride, the handset calculates walking distance and energy consumption."   continued ...   (Via textually.org)

NTT Elderly Phone.

Mac news with a personal touch

Ergonomic difficulties with Apple's Mighty Mouse - do's and don'ts ...

"On case you haven’t already heard, Apple finally released the multi-button mouse they’ve been working on for several years. Dubbed “Mighty Mouse,” this new input device sports “single-button looks, multi-button charm” and it also includes a scroll ball. Not only that, but the little side buttons we’ve grown accustom to on the Pro Mouse are now programmable buttons in their own right.

As great as this new mouse is, some people are whining and moaning about haw bad it is, and they’re whining for one reason only: they don’t hold the mouse properly.

Most people, unfortunately, hold the Apple Mouse as you see here: in the tips of their fingers. The movement and guiding is done with the palm firmly rested to the desk top, and the finger tips and thumb move the mouse around. Note, too, that this manner of holding the mouse does give full access to the scroll ball — but not the side buttons, which are *exactly* where they’ve always been. Basically, if you hold your mouse like this, you flat-out holding it incorrectly."   continued ...   (Via RAILhead Design)

Right way to hold this mouse.

Wrong way to hold this mouse.

Technology Testdrive

A review of the Apple Mighty Mouse along with several tips for selecting a mouse for you ...

"Shopping for a computer mouse is often too much like shopping for shoes: We're lured into choosing fashion over comfort. This is a mistake that can quite literally become a pain in the neck. Or the wrists. Or the shoulders.

I called two experts last week for some advice: Dr. David Rempel, director of the University of California San Francisco/Berkeley Ergonomics Program, and Ira Janowitz, a senior ergonomics consultant in the program office. They offered several pointers:

--Find a mouse that fits comfortably in your hand. A large man, for example, needs a bigger mouse than a petite woman or a child. Don't be shy about buying a mouse and then returning it a week or two later if it proves uncomfortable.

--Place the mouse as close to the keyboard as possible, to minimize stretching your arm.

--Reduce mouse use as much as possible by learning keyboard shortcuts."   continued ...   (Via RedNova News)

Selecting the best ergonomic mouse.