Re: Is the "NoHands Mouse" practical and easy to get used to?

[http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert (Robert)]

 I too am a programmer, but not a web programmer or graphic artist.  (I
 mostly do C programming on Linux.)  I have been using a No Hands mouse
 for two and 1/2 years.  In all that time, I only once ever got a sore
 ankle from using it.  (That was when I used GIMP intensively for a week.)

 When I use my computer to program at home, I use voice recognition.  Like
 you, programming for me is a passion.  Voice recognition gives me the
 freedom to do my own projects.  (I happen to use an ergonomic keyboard at
 work.  That's also where I use a No Hands mouse.  Speech recognition allows
 me to use my computer hands-free.)

 > From: "Kevin K." <http://www.SAN.RR.COM/~sLhAcKeR>
 > Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 22:51:07 -0700
 >
 > Hi all.
 > 
 > About four weeks ago, I developed SEVERE pain in my right arm, wrist, and
 > fingers.  I saw my primary care physician the other day and he confirmed
 > that I have tendonitis along with a mild case of CTS.
 > 
 > It seems that the most effective "treatment" is to "stop the activity that
 > is causing the pain".  Well, my job involves designing web sites - which
 > includes coding HTML, JavaScript, creating images in PhotoShop, and coding
 > PERL scripts.  Obviously, 99.9% of my workday involves the use of a keyboard
 > an mouse.  Web development and programming is my career and passion.  While
 > I can't afford to lose the use of my hands, I can't give up my career
 > either.  Not to mention that I spend a lot of time at the computer in the
 > evening after work as well.  With US companies ever more eager to ship
 > development work overseas, I must continue to be productive and constantly
 > learn new technologies if I want to continue in my career.
 > 
 > Well, despite being prescribed 25MG of Indomethacin three times a day, my
 > hands still hurt after using the mouse for more than a few minutes.  I tried
 > a trackball, and it just causes me to have the same amount of pain in my
 > fingers as I did in my wrist.  I've been trying to get used to mousing with
 > my left hand (I'm a righty), but it gets sore too.  I even bought a touch
 > pad about a week ago, but it looks like it's going to take me a LONG time to
 > get used to it.
 > 
 > In the meantime, I've heard about a foot-operated mouse.  The manufacturer's
 > web site is at the following URL:
 > http://www.footmouse.com/
 > 
 > Does anyone have any experience with using a foot mouse?  Can one learn to
 > use it in a reasonable matter of time?  Of course, I might not have any
 > other choice soon.
 > 
 > Again, I can NOT simply reduce my computer time.  I can't aim for management
 > or a sales position as technical work is my passion.  Besides, I am NOT a
 > "people person" by a long shot.
 > 
 > Any advice?  Opinions on the foot mouse?
 > 
 > Thanks,
 > 
 > sLhAcKeR
 > 
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