Correct angle for keyboard

[Mxsmanic]

How on earth do organists manage with up to six or so keyboards stacked
one above the other?

They usually play for only limited periods, not eight hours a day, and
not as quickly as typists must type.

 

[Mxsmanic]

**DID** they manage ? Or was injury not recorded ?

Injuries just weren't recorded.

I can imagine, that in the early days, ppl were just dismissed when
ill...

Sometimes.

 

[Mxsmanic]

Bullshit. Have fun explaining the keyboards on typewriters
that were designed to be used by professional typists.

If they are electric, the keyboards are nearly flat.

If they are manual, the keys are arranged in tiers to better
accommodate the mechanical constraints of the typewriter.

It isnt that black and white, particularly if you are only
typing spasmodically as is the case with most PCs.

If you are a fast touch-typist, every variable makes a difference.

I am in this category, and I use a Microsoft Natural Keyboard that
keeps my arms and wrists straight. The RSI pain I used to get on
other keyboards in other configurations is no longer a problem.

 

[Mxsmanic]

Keyboard slope, prosthetics, and all that stuff might help, but it
won't stop repetitive strain injury (RSI).

Yes, it will, in most cases. Of course, there's a limit to how much a
person can type in a day no matter what adjustments are made.

The only RSI killer is speech-recognition.

But then you lose your voice.

 

[Rod Speed]

Trev writes

They didn't.

They did actually.

Keyboards were less ergonomic in those days,

And they managed fine anyway.

and if you typed too long, you got tired.

Tell that to all those employed to do that day in day out.

 

[John Doe]

Yes, it will, in most cases. Of course, there's a limit to how
much a person can type in a day no matter what adjustments are
made.

In my case, that's a small fraction of the amount I can dictate.

But then you lose your voice.

That's silly.

 

[Rod Speed]

Rod Speed writes

If they are electric, the keyboards are nearly flat.

Wrong, most obviously with teletypes and the original Selectric etc.

If they are manual, the keys are arranged in tiers to better
accommodate the mechanical constraints of the typewriter.

Yes, but there were hordes of electric typewriters with keyboards
that are nothing like flat, and they werent that way for visibility
because they were designed for use by those who could touch type.

Teletypes in spades.

Teletypes in spades.

If you are a fast touch-typist, every variable makes a difference.
Nope.

I am in this category, and I use a Microsoft Natural Keyboard that
keeps my arms and wrists straight. The RSI pain I used to get on
other keyboards in other configurations is no longer a problem.

Irrelevant to that claim he just made.

And I dont need to do a damned thing and never
get RSI at all, and likely can type faster than you can.

 

[Mxsmanic]

Tell that to all those employed to do that day in day out.

They already know.

 

[Mxsmanic]

Wrong, most obviously with teletypes and the original Selectric etc.

Look at a Selectric, and you'll see.

Most high-end keyboards then and now have a very slight slope and a
slight concave curve to the key layout.

Yes, but there were hordes of electric typewriters with keyboards
that are nothing like flat, and they werent that way for visibility
because they were designed for use by those who could touch type.

Absolutely flat keyboards are rare, for ergonomic reasons. The
fingertips move through an arc, so a slight curve to the key layout is
important.

And I dont need to do a damned thing and never
get RSI at all, and likely can type faster than you can.

I know very few people who can type faster than I can. I've been
touch-typing since I was 14, mostly on electronic keyboards.

 

[Mxsmanic]

That's silly.

No, it's not. If you talk a lot, you stress your voice, just as
typing a lot stresses your hands.

 

[Dr Zoidberg]

Look at a Selectric, and you'll see.

Most high-end keyboards then and now have a very slight slope and a
slight concave curve to the key layout.

And even quite a few relatively cheap ones.

Absolutely flat keyboards are rare, for ergonomic reasons. The
fingertips move through an arc, so a slight curve to the key layout is
important.

Apart from laptops where almost all are totally flat

I know very few people who can type faster than I can. I've been
touch-typing since I was 14, mostly on electronic keyboards.

Now now , children

 

[John Doe]

No, it's not. If you talk a lot, you stress your voice, just as
typing a lot stresses your hands.

How much stress does thinking put on your brain?
Just curious.

 

[Rod Speed]

Rod Speed writes

They already know.

Not that mindless claim they dont.

And it had nothing to do with the 3 heights of the keys anyway.

 

[Rod Speed]

Rod Speed writes

Look at a Selectric, and you'll see.

Dont need to, I used one thanks. Its nothing like flat.

Teletypes in spades.

Most high-end keyboards then and now have a very slight slope

Mindless pig ignorant silly stuff. In spades with teletypes.

and a slight concave curve to the key layout.

Mindless pig ignorant silly stuff. In spades with teletypes.

Absolutely flat keyboards are rare, for ergonomic reasons. The fingertips
move through an arc, so a slight curve to the key layout is important.

Irrelevant to that mindlessly silly claim that non flat
keyboards were for those who couldnt touch type.

I know very few people who can type faster than I can.

You need to get out more.

I've been touch-typing since I was 14,

I started younger than that.

mostly on electronic keyboards.

And since I started much earlier than you did calendar year wise,
there werent any electronic keyboards around at that time. No
electric typewriters either outside professional situations.

 

[Rod Speed]

John Doe writes

Have fun explaining how come I never get it.

No, it's not.

Corse it is.

If you talk a lot, you stress your voice,

Have fun explaining how all those call center monkeys manage it fine.

just as typing a lot stresses your hands.

Mindless pig ignorant silly stuff.

 

[xModem]

And I dont need to do a damned thing and never
get RSI at all, and likely can type faster than you can.

Another vacuous, unprovable utterance.

 

[Mxsmanic]

How much stress does thinking put on your brain?

None that I'm aware of. I find it relaxing. I realize that this is
abnormal.

 

[Richard Brooks]

How on earth did those typists manage with three hights of keys, no wrist
pads and having to put even force behind the key's.

Wrist pads ? Bad idea! If you watch the old films you'll see that the
typists work with arms out and wrists floating so no contact between the
wrists and any surface, much like a concert pianist.

Try using one of those mouse mats with the (ahem) ergonomic foam wrist
rest day after day and you'll find that your hand will lock up or will
tingle after several days. Soft as they are, there's still a point of
contact where blood flow is decreased between the arm and hand and this
does not bode well for the user, long term.

Tear that blob off the front area of the mat, keep your wrist from
lazily wresting on the surface and you'll find that your hand and arm
troubles will go away.


Richard.

 

[kony]

Look at a Selectric, and you'll see.

Most high-end keyboards then and now have a very slight slope and a
slight concave curve to the key layout.

I used a Selectric back in it's day... the keys are not as
staggered as few-decades-earlier manuals, but still
substantially more staggered than preceeding electric
typewriters. If a kid today saw a selectric alongside some
manuals and modern electrics, they'd assume it was manual if
they hadn't a chance to peer inside and see the ball.

 

[Osiris]

And I dont need to do a damned thing and never
get RSI at all, and likely can type faster than you can.

let's find out: how fast did you type that last sentence ?