Ergonomic Arrangement for Computers and Books? 40
An anonymous reader asks: "So here I am with yet another computer book (Network Programming with Perl) and a pending case of neck, back and eye strain as I try and juggle the book and the keyboard and try to keep an eye on what's on the monitor. I've tried all sorts of ways to try and wade through a book and type in the various examples but everything is a bit of a kludge. I'm hoping to learn what creative methods for integrating books and computers that folks have come up with. There has to be ways to keep the juggling acts and the assorted cramps and aches to a minimum."
electronic copies, laptops (Score:1)
Another options is to see if there's an electronic copy of the book online or perhaps on the CD included with the book
Safari (Score:3, Informative)
$10/month for 5 books/month. Lots of books. Searching. Bookmarks. Printing. Copy & Paste code examples. Errata. Public and private notes.
At a desk (Score:2)
Books tend to be anoying and have cheap spines sometimes, I've found either a paperclip or a heavy pen holds the pages flat on my desk, so I can place the book to my left (where a leftie might put his mouse).
Sometimes if the book is short it's actually easiest to lean it between keyboard and monitor, if you have space to do this, it normally is the best solution.
Re:At a desk (Score:2)
The order is key (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:The order is key (Score:3, Insightful)
The old fashioned method... (Score:1)
Re:Or maybe... (Score:2)
IUt forced you to go through, char by char, and at least process it. Anyone can run code that is already on the machine, doen't mean they'll get something out of it.
In my first computer course, Pascal way back in highschool, the fiorst assignment was to type in some one elses program and get it to compile. Having only done BASIC before this (OK and a really little bit of assembler) it was an eye opener to how a freely formatted programming laguage could work, and the perils of tpyos and speling misteaks.
Ahhh...be a man about it. (Score:2, Insightful)
try not to read and type at the same time (Score:2, Insightful)
of course this doesnt help when copying examples out of the book, in that case, I usually just put the book down next to my keyboard
just my two cents, hope it helps
My current work environment... (Score:3, Interesting)
For larger books (mostly conference notes or even magazines) I do as an earlier poster suggested and read it before sitting at the computer, then I only need to refer to it briefly... You really need to assess your current situation and determine why you need to be referring to the book so often that it becomes a problem.
Keyboard in the middle, but not the monitor. (Score:3, Insightful)
I have 2 monitors side by side facing in about 10 degrees from parallel (flat fronts are key). When it's possible I use electronic documentation on the right screen and code on the left. When hard copy is all that's available I slide the right hand monitor back about 4 inches and lean the book up against it. I've also been known to photocopy a frequently used page/diagram and tape it to the monitor. I believe your perl networking book is available as PDF. You should look into it.
I think the key is that I never have to turn my head very far in either direction, which I would have to do if one monitor was directly in front of me.
This assumes that you're only using the book for reference. If you're actually reading it I recommend finding a more comfortable place to read than in a desk chair (Yes, even if it's an Aeron), and an electronic copy is unacceptable.
Re:Keyboard in the middle, but not the monitor. (Score:3, Insightful)
Then acquire a copy of your documentation in electronic form (man pages are great!). Code goes on the right monitor, documentation on the left. Go to town.
I've been using a dual-head setup for about 4 months and can't believe that I've coded for so many years without it. I can't imagine going back to a single display. Plus, having the only dual-head setup (on Linux, no less!) on my residence floor (and, as far as I've seen, the only dual-head setup period) makes me the envy of many a geek around here.
Now if only I could challenge the exam for my stupid Introduction to Object Oriented Programming course... Java... bleh. I'd rather be coding C/C++/assembly/Perl =)
Re:Keyboard in the middle, but not the monitor. (Score:1)
I did finally convince my boss to order me a new machine with 2 18" LCD's at work after finding out how much less eye strain I had and how much better I just felt overall after using them for long sessions at home. My work environment has never been better. And as you said, I'm the envy of everyone else in the office
Re:Keyboard in the middle, but not the monitor. (Score:1)
I'm personally a fan of CRTs, just because they're faster and higher resolution. The second problem is going away quickly. When the update speed of LCD displays increases, and the price comes down, I'll give some serious thought into picking some up. I currently use 21" Flat front trinitron monitors with dark tinted glass. I run them at 1600x1200 @ 120hz refresh.
Update speed is important for when you want to read text while it's scrolling, and for when you're done working for the day and want to play some games!
Orielly books, maybe others... (Score:3, Informative)
cordless keyboard (Score:2, Interesting)
Cut the spine (Score:5, Informative)
Take them into your local Kinkos and for $1.00 an inch, they'll cut the spine off and 3-hole-punch it.
Then, hold the book together with 3 binder rings (which you can buy separately at Staples), and use a document stand [ergonomicdesign.com] to hold the book up near you computer.
3 Hole Punch (Score:1)
I like printing books on our 90ppm digital copier, and using the machine to bind them together.
I can 3 hole punch, comb bind, glue bind....
The only thing about 3 hole punching, is that Binders are awkward to carry, and the pages end up falling apart. Unless you get the hole reinforcers....
So easy! (Score:1, Funny)
Call the Feds. (Score:3, Funny)
Call your nearest Federal prison and ask about hiring some cheap trustee labor - and maybe they'll send Martha Stewart over to arrange everything for you.
Think Kitchen... (Score:1)
I think the secret (for me, at least), is having everything orientated so that I nevr have to actually move my head. All docs I would reference are within a movement of my eyes (the only real exception is the stuff at the top of the wall, but it's mainly get your war on [getyourwaron.com] anyways)
Get yourself a big-ass desk (Score:4, Funny)
The thing with a big table is you can shuffle stuff around fairly easily. I like to have the biggest monitor possible in front of me, with my notebook to the side of that. If you have the aforementioned LARGE desk, then there is enough room to put a book between you, the monitor, and the keyboard, in addition to having lots of papers and crap on whichever side your notebook isn't on.
If I need to do any more reading (in depth) I have a smaller table with a reading lamp.
Seriously, try an obscenely large desk. Just a flat table. Aim for 4-5 feet deep as a bare minium, at least 6 feet long. It makes things seem a lot easier to deal with. I usually have 2-3 references and a pile of trade rags open on top of all the computer junk.
Folding Tables (Score:1)
You can get them cheap from any store or lots of places (bingo halls, etc) throw them out or you can get them for $10 at school auctions, flea markets.
My friends have their spiffy Sauder tables they bought for $250 from OfficeMax, spent an entire Saturday assembling, and have useless (and crappy) drawers and shelfs. They can't fit any bigger than a 17" on them, and they warp crack etc over time.
Meanwhile, I've got 3 19" monitors, 10 computers, a switch, 25 books all piled high on my super table.
Solid wood doors work too (Score:2)
CD (Score:3, Informative)
Or download on the web... (Score:1)
I've seen some books where they have the nerve to CHARGE $25.00 or so for a FLOPPY with the example files on it. Bruce Eckel, anyone?
My method (Score:2)
Clearly, I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I just had this image of a perfectly transparent keyboard with a book under it, and I had to post something. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Re:My method (Score:2)
I find that what hurts my neck the most is looking left and right all the time; up and down doesn't bother me as much.
Your fortune for today: You avoid conflict when possible and enjoy finding harmony with others.
Book Holders! (Score:1)
They are sometimes hard to find. I guess they don't sell well. You can find a fancy model at www.levenger.com
Good old fashioned typing tips (Score:5, Informative)
First and formost, dont ever look at the keyboard. Learn to touch-type those nasty perl characters (#{_
Don't look at your monitor, either. Type up a page at a time relying on your excellent touch-typing skills, and then proofread. The less your attention flits back and forth, the better your body will be.
Put the moniter and book close together, and hold the book open with... something handy. Obviously you could buy a book stand from the local stationary and / or music store, but in a pinch you can usually just push it up against something on your desk and hold it open by laying another book down at its base.
Turn your monitor contrast and brightness down and the ambient light in the room way up. There is nothing more straining to the eye than trying to go from focusing on field of brightly glowing phosphors to looking at a dimly reflected piece of oil and wood. If your work area is lit by a piece of energy-efficient, buzzing tube lighting, your eyes would be best served by an additional spread-spectrum flourescent or filament bulb of the type you can now get in hardware stores.
Take every opportunity to not be sitting in the same position. Between examples, swivel away from the screen and put your feet up. While reading intros and conclusions, stand up and pace around the room. Swivel to different positions while you type... The optimal one position to be in to aviod repetitive stress injuries is to not be in one position.
Another solution I have found that works well is to type your examples up wherever is most comfortable to you on a MIVO mailstation. Non-backlit LCD screens are very easy to transition to while reading paper, and the small size and weight will allow you to work almost anywhere. The 8k limit for messages means many perl examples will have to be chopped into smaller bits, but a simple e-mail later and the script can be quickly reassembled on your main box. The messageboards at www.linux-hacker.org can tell you how to unlock the machines to work with your ISP, and they (and their original branding, the e-message) can be found on e-bay for less than 20 dollars.
IANARST (I am not a repetitive stress therapist), but I think if you follow the above rules while listening to your own body's needs you will be fine.
-C
Why are you typing in the examples? (Score:1)
Make room for the book (Score:1)
It's extremely comfortable, and as a bonus result, I can read a book placed to the left of the keyboard (without getting a sore neck),
and/or between keyboard and monitor (without having to squint to see what's on the screen).
Dual Monitors, PDF files (Score:1)
Fire up Acrobat reader, on a laptop, second monitor, etc etc
Makes it easy to learn while you work
One Good Solution (Score:1)
Multi-level desk (Score:1)
My desk though I assmebled it w/ the keyboard tray and shelf on the same segment:
http://www.stacksandstacks.com/html/90132.htm
A book stand similar to mine:
http://www.webrebel.com/shop/pages/bitem10.htm