OT-ish: vertical keyboard options

[Eric Shubert]

Taylor, Kaia wrote:
> This is not exactly about linux, I'm looking for opinions on vertical 
> keyboard options.  (My wrist is sore these days and I want to avoid 
> carpal tunnel).  I have looked at these 3 online:
>  
> $88 goldtouch 
> http://www.goldtouch.com/p-64-goldtouch-adjustable-keyboard-black.aspx
> $99-140 kinesis http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/freestyle_pc.htm
> $295 safetype http://safetype.com/
>  
> Any opinions/advice?
>  
>  
> Regards,
> Kaia Taylor
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> 

Vertical looks interesting.

The wrist is a marvelous piece of engineering. I think it's subject to 
the least amount of abuse when it's in the same position as when it's at 
rest with your arms at your sides.

That being said, I'd like to see a KB that you could wear like a couple 
of six-shooters at your sides. I actually dreamed of this one night. If 
one of the split KBs had a belt you could wear them on, I think I'd buy 
one. Could become geek-fashion.

While the veritical orientation is interesting, I think that the angle 
of the wrist when the KB is in use is what's important. When the wrist 
is bent up/back, there is stress. Same as when playing piano. You want 
your wrists UP ("pretend there's an orange in the palm of your hand" is 
what my piano teacher used to say). The way many keyboards have legs 
that raise the back (away from you) portion of the KB is precisely 
wrong. You want to LOWER the back portion, or RAISE the front (close to 
you) portion, like the old MS ergonomic KBs. I still use one of those, 
and like it a lot. I have a spare too, for when this one wears out.

BL, I like the split KB, but I would also look for the ability to raise 
the front or lower the back. Ideally, these aspects (split angle and 
pitch) would be adjustable.

Just my nickel's worth.

-- 
-Eric 'shubes'