KeyMouse is a new way of looking at the way we work on our computer. The project is still in the Kickstarter phase and the founders are looking for backers.
Author: samadisy
Setting Up Your Workstation – A Quick HowTo
The great thing about the internet is there is so much out there! Anything you want, you can find. The terrible thing about the internet is there is so much out there and it is ridiculously easy to get bad information. So one thing we’ll do hear is to comb through information, throw out the bad, and bring you the good. And that’s what I’m writing about today.
- Did you notice when she was typing on the keyboard tray? It was wobbling. If you end up getting one, don’t skimp, get one that doesn’t wobble. And, by the way, keyboard trays are only good if you know how to touch-type. If you don’t, then you’ll be robbing Peter to pay Paul by introducing additional neck strain.
- If you decide to place your mouse on the keyboard tray, you’ll probably need a good mousepad because the keyboard tray’s surface tends to be designed for the keyboard.
- Many keyboard trays, including the one pictured, are not wide enough to give you room to use your mouse effectively.
Mousepads with Wrist Rests Can Be Harmful but Don’t Have To Be
Don’t use a Wrist Rest – research has shown that using a wrist rest doubles the pressure inside the carpal tunnel, because the floor of the tunnel is a more flexible ligament that transmits external pressure changes directly into the carpal tunnel (the roof of the tunnel is bone so the pressure doesn’t get transmitted on through the hand). Indeed, one test for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), know as Tinel’s sign, simply involves tapping on the palmar surface of the wrist, which is enough to cause tingling and numbness in someone developing CTS.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs as a result of compression of the median nerve.
- Bending your wrist while typing/mousing for extended periods of time.
- Putting pressure on your wrist by resting it on the wrist rest (duh!).

Laptop Ergonomics
The Ergonomics Lab at Cornell (CUErgo) does great research on workstation health. Recently I read an article on the ergonomics of laptops. I was surprised to see just how bad they are. You see, it seems that laptops break a rule that we’ve known a very long time – you MUST separate the keyboard and screen – otherwise you will sacrifice one part of your body’s proper posture for another. Another way to say this is that you either screw up your neck or you screw up your wrist. Bummer.
Cable Management
Okay, so our company is called Tangled Wires, so the topic of cable management is spot on. Many of us, have way too many wires and cables all around. There are a few different solutions out there that are popular. On my desk specifically there are at least 5-8 wires depending on what’s going on and many of them find their way into my USB hub. Things get dusty and icky really fast. And, of course, because I travel frequently, they end up going with me at client sites. (Don’t you hate it when your white kindle charging cable looks brownish from all the dust and travel?!)