Computers – Friend or Foe?

Hi Lene,

I can sympathize with the drag'ndrop problem ... click: copy'npaste is a little less troublesome.

The kind of mouse a person uses can make a tremendous difference, bothin the pressure required - and if it has to be constant, while maneuvering, as in "drag 'n drop". 

About a year or so ago, I switched at work to a Kensington "Orbit Optical" mouse, which has left & right buttons on opposite sides of a trackball.  The trackball is thus accessible to fingertip, finger, or palm whatever is feeling better...

My 2 departments each paid for one in their office, I believe they were about $25.

My husband (non RA but still aging & achy!) uses an optical mouse at home where the trackball is operated by one's thumb  --- not my favorite, but better than the standard in some ways.  It got rid of his hand/arm pain (from what I recall he said).

There are a variety of options - laptops are different yet.

To each his or her own best choice!

I have trouble typing as well. I am thinking about getting the Dragon software. I have heard you have to "train" it. I take it works very well for you.

I prefer the optical eye mouse as well. I use a laptop and at times if my fingers are too sore I use the pressure pad instead of the mouse.

The only things I have seen on RAcentral that are cumbersome are when you click on "see all questions" You only get 3, then you have to click again to see ALL questions. Also when you click on "see shareposts" you then have to click again to see comments. If the comments just came on with the sharepost it would help. Anywhere they can cut down on the clicks would help.

Brad

I still can type without problem. My problem comes with typing too long or sitting wrong to type. I use a laptop the majority of the time and my problem usually comes from neck strain. I seem to have a weakness in my neck and it it the first place that stress causes me pain. I can be fine and then all of a sudden I am in intense pain and done for the day. My rheumatologist told me to limit my computer time and to be careful how I sit. I feel fortunate that my fingers are still in good enough shape I can type. I like to write letters but have found typing to be much easier for me now.

Ever notice how small those blackberry buttons are?  Try vlingo. . . use it to dial phone numbers, create text messages, and more.  I love it!

my boss bought me keyboard which helps alot and its cordless so i can manuever it around easily. the mouse is my biggest problem. the constant reaching is killer on my shoulders and elbows. Ive tried putting the cordless mouse in my lap on a pad but that is cumbersome and it requires balancing. i keep moving my stuff around to accomadate myself but it just leads to another set of discomforts. and the sitting for any period of time is killer too.

 i would like a mouse that attached to my hand somehow, so i would have to reach for or balance it, the roller ball mouse has worked best for me. my husband has the roller ball that you use your thumb and i have the one for your fingers. i can better click with my thumb and maneuver with my fingers.

whats really great is to watch someone else try to operate my set up. i never have to worry about anyone messing with my computer thats for sure. hahaha