By applying motion to experiences, ErgoMotion™ is redefining ergonomics and changing the future of computing comfort forever!

The Truth About Ergonomic Products
Many ergonomic products on the market today are designed to find the perfect “fixed position” to alleviate stress to the user’s hands and wrists while they work. These products are designed with the belief that by placing the user’s hands and wrists at a “natural” angle this will properly address Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI). However, studies show repetition, not the position, induces RSI such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), proving that any fixed position will not solve the problem. In fact, over time, prolonged work in the same position will only cause injury no matter how natural the position.

Motion Heals
ErgoMotion™ is built on the concept that movement is the key to healthier computing. The medical community has long supported movement to be beneficial to the human body, which promotes blood flow and decreases inflammation—inadequate blood circulation and inflammation are both considered key contributors to RSI. It was Smartfish’s founder, Dr. Jack Atzmon, who’s own experience with RSI lead him to question the effects ergonomic computer products had while he worked. Through Dr. Atzmon’s own research he challenged “fixed-position” products and their claimed benefits, and developed a theory that motion was the solution to true ergonomics.

Smartfish partnered with New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) to study the affects motion would have on a user while they compute. It was the collaboration with HSS that helped develop ErgoMotion™ proving subtle, even incremental movement would increase blood flow and reduce inflammation eliminating the risks of RSI. By applying motion to products, ErgoMotion™ is redefining the future of ergonomics. It is the first technology to actually address the root causes of RSI, and empowering the user to compute healthier.
Read HSS White Papers.

Applying ErgoMotion™
The Smartfish ErgoMotion™ Laser Mouse and ErgoMotion™ Keyboard are the first products to leverage the ErgoMotion™ technology. The ErgoMotion™ Laser Mouse utilizes a patented motion-base that conforms to the user’s natural hand and wrist positions while they work. However, the ErgoMotion™ Keyboard creates a slightly different ErgoMotion™ experience by tracking the user’s work pattern and making incremental changes to itself so the user’s hands and wrists are never in a static position while typing.

Learn more about the ErgoMotion™ Laser Mouse (available in black and white designs) and the ErgoMotion™ Keyboard (also in black and white).

Both the mouse and keyboard are available for pre-order from Amazon (affiliate link).

Here’s what the company has to say about the product:

The MouseBean Hand Rest is designed to provide support, protection and comfort when using a mouse. Following detailed research into the causes of mouse-induced wrist pain, the MouseBean Hand Rest tackles the problem by applying sound ergonomic principles, stylish product design and engineering.

Professional computer users have put the MouseBean Hand Rest through extensive trials and the device has been tested and endorsed by a consulting surgeon.

The MouseBean Hand Rest protects the delicate median nerve that runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. It does this by preventing the central part of the wrist from being pressed against a hard surface. The MouseBean Hand Rest supports the hand on the soft fleshy parts either side of the median nerve, and can help to prevent serious nerve damage.

The MouseBean Hand Rest allows the wrist to rotate into a comfortable position and can be used on either hand. The gently rounded base allows it to slide on and off the edge of a mousemat without snagging.

The company also notes that since the pads are made of a squishy gel-like material with a tactile surface, many of their customers use the product not only as a mousepad, but as a stress reliever. Interesting concept.

The MouseBean is available in a wide variety of color combinations to match your mouse, computer, office decor, or just your own whimsical sense of style.

Have you used this product? What did you think of it?

Learn more about the Mousebean Ergonomic Hand Rest at mousebean.com

The NoHands Mouse is a foot-operated mouse that consists of two separate pedals. One pedal operates the pointer, while the other is used for button clicking. By default, a heel-click engages the right mouse button, while a toe-click engages the left mouse button.

Sufferers of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) and other hand injuries have restored their mousing quickness and effectiveness with the NoHands Mouse.

The NoHands Mouse eliminates wasteful, repetitive “keyboard-to-mouse” hand movements. With the NoHands Mouse, you can have complete control of the cursor without having to take your hands off the keyboard, or your eyes off the monitor.

For a totally hands-free experience, combine the NoHands Mouse with your choice of voice recognition software or an on screen keyboard.

Learn more about the product at footmouse.com. Here’s a video that explains the product in more detail:

It is certainly an innovative solution, though I imagine it’d take awhile to become proficient with the device. It’s also, at $350, a bit pricey (though no more so than many other specialized ergonomic devices).

But just think of all the fun you could have freaking out your office co-workers — you’d be sitting back with your arms crossed, seemingly relaxing and doing nothing, while your feet were busy pointing and clicking and getting some work done.

Just be careful mixing the NoHands Mouse with toe-tapping music!

I’ve been a long-time user of the IMAK SmartGlove, a sort of glove-like device that you wear on your hand, with a built-in wrist rest made of tiny plastic beads. It’s basically a mousepad that follows your hand around, providing support for both mousing and typing, and not getting in the way of either activity.

I’ve been using the SmartGlove for at least five years, and long ago reached the point where it felt strange to be computing without it. Although the glove is reasonably rugged, they do wear out, and I’ve gone through several of them.

My most recent SmartGlove was getting rather threadbare, so I purchased another glove, only the store didn’t have the SmartGlove in stock, so I went with IMAK’s Computer Glove.

Here’s IMAK’s description of the Computer Glove:

For Wrist Protection, Support, Relief and Comfort

The IMAK® Computer Glove provides superb wrist support, cushioning and protecting your wrist from hard surfaces and laptop heat. IMAK’s ergoBeads™ pad gently massages your palm while supporting your wrist in an ergonomic position.

The IMAK Computer Glove also helps prevent and relieve pain from repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Our Computer Glove is the perfect mobile wrist support for computing and gaming comfort.

• Helps relieve and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) pain
• Increases your comfort for laptops, desktop computers, writing and more
• Comfortable mobility with full use of hand
• Compact size – ideal for traveling
• ergoBeads cushion protects the wrist
• Breathable cotton Lycra®
• Extra strong elastic on top for added support
• Reversible to fit right or left hand

The Computer Glove is very similar to the SmartGlove, though it’s not quite as long and it doesn’t have the stiff splint in the back. And the sizing seems a little tighter, but not uncomfortably so. Also, instead of being all black, it’s a mottled gray — rather attractive.

If you’re looking for a nice solution to the problem of an uncomfortable wrist rest, give a Computer Glove or SmartGlove a try. I think you’ll like it.

You may also want to check out the complete line of IMAK Products for more innovative health products.

If wrists and hands remain on the desk top or on the keyboard itself, it can become quite uncomfortable to type. The desk and the keyboard surfaces are cold. It doesn’t take very long for the wrists and hands to feel the chill. It can actually make your entire body feel cold. Cold hands when using the computer are uncomfortable and unproductive.

A value-added item to provide warmth and support is a heated computer keyboard wrist pad. One of the warm keyboard pad designs can be put into the microwave to heat. The warmth lasts about 15 minutes. Although novel, the practicality of this style of heated keyboard pad is not practical for most.

An USB (universal serial bus) connected keyboard pad seems to be the best solution for adding warmth and ergonomic support while keyboarding. A heated keyboard pad connects to the computer and draws a low voltage of electricity providing warmth to the pad’s surface. The keyboard pad consists of a cloth cover and a soft sponge-like interior. The arms and wrists rest on the pad at just the right height over the keyboard. The surface of the pad delivers a steady flow of heat. Hands never touch the keyboard or the desk’s surface.

The remarkable component of the USB heated keyboard pad is its healing qualities. The heating element is made of a carbon fiber which produces infrared heat. Infrared heat has been used for many years as a source of healing. The most familiar and natural source of infrared heat is the sun. A heated keyboard pad using a carbon fiber delivers infrared heat without the harmful UV rays of the sun.

Research shows 20-30 minutes of infrared heat treatment daily can improve blood circulation through the blood vessels and reduce symptoms related to RSI (repetitive stress injury). People who suffer from poor circulation, arthritis, diabetes and Raynaud’s welcome warmth throughout the year to deal with cold, painful joints and muscle tension. By using an infrared heated computer keyboard pad, arms, wrists and hands are ergonomically supported in front of the keyboard, and they are kept warm. Plus, the soft pad is a comfortable resting place for arms and elbows.

Heated computer products are somewhat new to the computer accessories market. A warm mouse, heated mouse pad and warm, heated keyboard pad are just the beginning of heated ergonomic computer work aids available today. With the continued use of the computer, and the advancements of technology, we’ll probably see many more heated computer gadgets invented. USB heated computer products are an economical and energy-efficient way to provide warmth and ergonomic support while using the computer.

Article by Anna Miller of http://www.IGMproducts.com. You can purchase the Mouse Hand Warmer from Amazon.com.

The ErgoSlope came into being from the practical needs of the ErgoSlope creator. Working long hours at a desk in a large corporate environment, he frequently jumped between various uncomfortable workstation setups, where wrists rested on the edges of desks and keyboards weren’t anywhere near monitors. Coming home, he worked many more hours sitting in front of his computer on 3D graphics and designs. The pain intensified so much that one day he decided to design a desk around a comfortable seating and working position. Once the desk was crafted, the pain went away almost instantly! So many people liked the idea and requested desktops of their own, he determined to make it available to others. The result is the ErgoSlope!

The ErgoSlope is a gently sloping and notched add on desktop which attaches easily to your existing desk in just seconds. It provides comfortable support for your forearms and elbows and allows for wrist and arm angles which match the natural ‘rest angle’ of your joints.

Combine your ErgoSlope with a positive curvature ergonomic keyboard and a seat which reclines slightly back and you have attained the position closest to the neutral resting position of your joints and which produces the least strain on your lower back, arms, and wrists.

The ErgoSlope inexpensively and easily slopes your desktop up toward your arms for a more comfortable seating position and supports your arms at your elbows, not at your wrists. It is a true “ergonomic” desk which conforms to your general ergonomic needs, it is not a rectangle you mold yourself around. Since you can pull right up into the desk, the desk cradles you and discourages that ‘hunched back’ syndrome. Keyboard trays still support the weight of the arm at the wrists, creating uncomfortable pressure points and contributing to repetitive strain injuries, and often encourage the wrist to bend up and backwards, an un-natural and uncomfortable position for the wrist. The position most conducive to alleviating back strain is to lean back about 15 to 20 degrees from the vertical, and to have your elbows open to their neutral resting position, the only way to achieve this is if your desktop slopes up gently!

Other than the potential problem of everything on your desk eventually slipping off into your lap, this sounds like a neat concept.

It also sounds like something you could prototype for yourself fairly easily, just by propping up the back up your desk a few inches. If you like the feel of it, it might be worth investing in the ErgoSlope.

What do you think? Is this a good idea? Have you tried it?

Learn more about ErgoSlope at ergoslope.com.

Jill works as a translator, and has a tendency to focus so deeply that she forgets to take breaks, so a reminder program is an important tool for her:

If you are anything like me, you are passionate about translation and can become fixated on what is displayed on your computer screen, forgetting everything around you. I can work for several hours without taking a break and have been known to forget to eat or even move.

The first day I used the program I was under a lot of stress to get a legal translation of the German Cosmetics Ordinance finished, but I complied with most of the breaks and found my stress level wasn’t as high as it could have been. I never realized how badly I need to stretch and am reminded each time I perform a stretch and hear my back crack or feel the muscle stretch and loosen.

The problem is stores and manufacturers are starting to put the word ergonomic in front of every chair they sell, whether it has anything to do with ergonomics or not. There is more to ergonomics than a little added cushioning in the seat.

So, What Is an Ergonomic Chair?

Ergonomics is the study of equipment designed with humans in mind, meant to reduce operator fatigue and discomfort. Specifically, an ergonomic chair should be highly adjustable, including not just a knob for lowering and raising the chair but adjustability in the back tilt and the height of the arm rests. An ergonomic chair should also have a sturdy frame (avoid plastic), a great deal of support, especially in the lumbar region, and padding that has some give and supports your body without losing shape.

Real ergonomic chairs cost hundreds of dollars. Look for manufacturers that specialize in ergonomics and are known for producing quality chairs. Examples are Herman Miller, Neutral Posture, and BodyBilt. Avoid gimmicky chairs (such as kneeling chairs and ball chairs) unless you have actually had the opportunity to try one and feel it’s a good fit for your body. Remember, the chair that is comfortable when you first sit in it may not remain so after several hours.

Why and When Should You Consider Buying an Ergonomic Chair?

An ergonomic chair promotes good posture, reduces the fatigue that comes with sitting in one position for a protracted period of time, and it can even reduce the likelihood of developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries (many of these hand and wrist injuries start with poor posture at the computer).

Anybody who spends more than an hour a day at the computer should consider buying a good ergonomic chair. If you work 8 hours a day or more at the computer, you should definitely have a good ergonomic chair.

About The Author: TC Thorn has more information on her site Ergonomics Information.

Last week I began playing around with the built-in voice recognition capabilities of Windows Vista. It didn’t cost me anything extra, so I didn’t hold out much hope that it would be any good. I was pleasantly surprised. Training took only a few minutes, and the software’s accuracy was higher than anything I tried before.

He does note that “The downside of using Vista’s built-in voice recognition capabilities is that it favors the use of Microsoft’s software. Outside of Microsoft software, the voice recognition features tend to be a little unreliable.”

If you have Vista, give it a try. Perhaps you’ll be pleasantly surprised as well.

Speech recognition has come a long way in recent years, and now boasts very high accuracy and speaker independence so that very little voice training is required.

If you’re interested in exploring the possibilities of speech recognition technology, check out the links below, as well as the list of available speech recognition programs in the following section:

• Computing Out Loud – This site is intended to help people using speech recognition software, and is brought to you by Susan Fulton, a longtime user of speech recognition and assorted gadgets for easier, less painful computing. Lots of solid information here.
• Speech Recognition FAQ – This FAQ covers speech recognition systems and related topics, and provides links to additional information.
• Speech Recognition Wiki – A community speech recognition site, with an emphasis on Dragon NaturallySpeaking 7.3/8 and Microsoft Speech Recognition
• The Case for Speech Recognition – An article discussing the current state of speech recognition technology, and why it may be a good idea for you.
• Wikipedia: Speech Recognition – A free encyclopedia article discussing the technology of speech recognition.

Speech Recognition Software

Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Dragon NaturallySpeaking is the most accurate speech recognition product ever developed – delivering up to 99-percent accuracy! No other product delivers the power, accuracy, and ease-of-use that make Dragon NaturallySpeaking the ideal solution for the PC enthusiast or home office user! Talk to your computer and your words instantly and accurately appear in Microsoft Word and Excel, Corel WordPerfect, and virtually all Windows-based applications. Listen to incoming e-mail and documents read aloud. Search the Web by speaking URLs and links. Use dictation shortcuts that enable you to insert blocks of texts or bitmaps – such as your name, title, and signature – with a single voice command. Dictate directly into a PC or any approved handheld digital recorder. A noise-canceling microphone is included.

Work faster and more productively by voice! The system replaces slow and tedious typing with the simplicity of using your voice to turn speech into text at up to 160 words per minute. Create e-mail, instant messages, documents and spreadsheets more than 3 times faster than typing. Plus, you can use your voice to start programs, use menus and surf the web on your PC.

ViaVoice

IBM ViaVoice is a feature-rich voice recognition product designed for experienced PC users. Supports dictation and correction into SpeakPad and supported applications within Microsoft Office, and direct dictation into a host of other PC applications. Also includes cross-application use of customized macros, and support for selected digital handheld recorders. On the Internet, dynamic navigation of the Web allows ViaVoice users to access Web sites merely by speaking the link name, while navigating to bookmarks with a simple voice command. Natural Language Commands and Voice Navigation macros provide Command and Control to navigate within the supported operating system and within many popular Windows applications.

• Email and Web navigation–use your voice to create, manage, and send email, chat on the Internet, command your browser, launch URLs, and surf the Web.
• Noise-canceling headset microphone included.
• Transcription support for digital handheld recorders.
• A new IBM speech engine with improved background noise adaptation, first used in the IBM ViaVoice for Windows product line in the Release 10 portfolio, can result in greater dictation and voice command accuracy.
• User control of background noise sensitivity for easier adjustment to your environment.
• Command and control IBM ViaVoice, your desktop, and PC applications with your voice–just say the command name to activate menu options, lists, and buttons.
• Customized “voice shortcut” commands can now be used in multiple PC programs.
• Dictate, edit, and format easily in IBM ViaVoice SpeakPad; Microsoft Office XP, 2000, and 97; Outlook; Internet Explorer; AOL and Netscape Messenger; and email applications.
• Direct dictation in a variety of PC applications.
• Over 300,000 vocabulary and backup dictionary words.
• Add customized addresses, names, acronyms, terms, and colloquialisms to the vocabulary.

Say-Now Voice and Speech Recognition

Say-Now is a comprehensive voice and speech recognition program to use your voice for command & control of your computer and dictation. Reduce or eliminate mouse clicks or keyboard input. Open Web sites, documents, or programs using your voice. Perform navigation and editing functions simply by speaking. Dictate letters, memos, and email messages. Begin talking to your PC now using your voice. Say-Now voice features a rich set of predefined voice commands and is based on the latest speech technologies from Microsoft. Import hundreds of commands for Microsoft Office and other Windows programs and games. Create your own commands for the software that you use. The program includes synthesized speech prompts and audio feedback. A variety of graphic application skins and options let you customize your Say-Now voice experience. Say-Now voice includes integrated text-to-speech capabilities enabling the computer to have a voice to read websites, documents, and email messages to you.

VR Commander

VR Commander is a sophisticated voice command and control program that adds a voice interface to virtually any windows based application. At its core is an industry leading Continuous Speech, Command and Control Voice Recognition Engine. It even supports Bluetooth microphones! VR Commander’s main uses are for command and control of: Games and Simulators, CAD Applications, and Business Applications like PowerPoint or Outlook. VR Commander enjoys several unique features:

• Incredible voice recognition accuracy – The same technology as used on fighter aircraft!
• Speaker Independent – No voice training required
• Noise rejection technology built in – Works in noisy environments – even supports bluetooth headsets
• Integrates with VoIP chat programs – Toggle between VoIP and issuing commands – use your VoIP headset
• Unique Template approach for applications – Easy to create, manage and share with others
• Use Voice Commands to simulate keystrokes to control your application
• Launch any file, macro or program from within an application using voice commands
• Insert text strings of any size into applications using voice commands – Great for repetitive tasks, instant messaging or email
• Intuitive operation – Get up and running fast! A tutorial will make you an expert in minutes. Context sensitive help and mouse over user tips are all you need.
• Lightning fast response time which allows VR Commander to respond as quickly as you can speak a command.
• Non-Intrusive so that VR Commander does not get in the way of the application or playing the game with an annoying complex menus system.
• VR Commander is speaker independent which means no user training is required for it to recognize your voice commands.