The almighty .plan

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +1000

About 2 or 3 weeks ago I developed some problem with my joints,
especially my arms. My wrists have been hit the worst, which made
it impossible to type at the time.  Splints/Braces and Ice packs
on my wrists and arms tend to be the only thing that helps.

It's improved somewhat in the last week - to the point where I can
type for short periods - but I still can't hold a mouse without
severe pain in my hands and shooting up my arms.

This is going to mean a few changes:
   - Probably less updates here.
   - I'll be on IRC less then ever, probably not at all.
   - Email response times may be several days or worse.
   - I won't be taking any shifts at the DP office until we
     get some new input devices sorted out. Even then, I
     probably won't be taking solo shifts.

As well as the medical aspects I've spent a lot of time looking
into alternative input devices, including speech recognition
- which apart from Dragon's expensive Windows-only software is
generally useless.

The only split keyboard in local shops is the MS 4000 one, which
costs around $60-$80 and doesn't have enough vertical angle to be
fully comfortable for me. Getting a better one imported from
overseas will cost around three times that plus shipping (although
well worth it if it helps).

Pointing devices are worse. So far I've been mostly limited to my
laptop's touchpad, which is uncomfortable but usable. I haven't
been able to find external touchpads anywhere locally, and the
only trackball is the fairly awkward Logitech Marble Mouse, around
$50 or more.

I've been looking for vertical or pistol grip mice without
success. I did find a weird ring-mouse thing at the Camberwell
swap meet, which is more comfortable held in a clenched hand than
worn on a finger.

neef has been providing me with advice on ergonoimic input devices,
and kindly lent me a good Kensington trackball today. I've been
using it for a few hours now - the longest I've been able to work
for since this started.

If anyone knows where I can pick up any vertical mice, trackballs,
touchpads, good ergonomic keyboards or miscellaneous input devices
_in or around Melbourne_, please mail me. Later this week I'm
going to dig out my old gamepads and joystick and give them a try.


PS: This was revision 666 of my dotfiles svn repository. Coincidence?