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

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

 > From: "Kevin K." <http://www.san.rr.com/~sLhAcKeR>
 > Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2000 01:08:57 -0700
 >
 > Hey Robert.
 > 
 > Glad to hear the NoHands Mouse has turned out to be good for you over the
 > long term.  I'm hoping that the ergonomics expert at my work - who will be
 > visiting my office on Thursday - will convince my employer to supply me with
 > one for use at work.
 > 
 > I actually found a local ergonomics consultant last Saturday and he allowed
 > me to try the foot mouse for free.  I did the tutorial software the mazes,
 > balloons, etc. and actually got the hang of it within a few hours.
 > Unfortunately, the thing broke (no physical damage, but the cursor stopped
 > responding) late Saturday night.  As I'm quite experienced with PCs and
 > hardware, I tried the usual rebooting, connecting to a different PC, etc.
 > and no luck - it definitely had stopped working.  The consultant didn't have
 > any spares on hand, but should be hooking with a new one soon.
 > 
 > It's cool to hear from someone like you who shares a passion for
 > programming.  I've all too many people tell me to "just go into management,
 > sales, etc.", but why would a true programmer do such a thing?
 > 
 > As for me, I maintain our department's intranet site at work.  Most of what
 > I do involves coding PERL (for Win32! (Yeah, yeah. hope you're not one of
 > those UNIX-only snobs.  j/k)) scripts and using ODBC to link Access pages to
 > the web.  Before you comment, using Oracle would be overkill for the amount
 > of data that we have.
 > 
 > Take care,
 > 
 > Kevin

 > From: "Kevin K." <http://www.san.rr.com/~sLhAcKeR>
 > Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2000 01:04:01 -0700
 >
 > Hi Rob.
 > 
 > Interesting choice of email address.  Of course, you probably could say the
 > same thing about mine.
 > 
 > I began trying out the NoHands Mouse last Saturday.  While I heard mixed
 > opinions from people here, a local ergonomics expert allowed me to try it
 > without charge.  No risk, so I went ahead.  I surprised myself and was able
 > to get the hang of it after a few hours.  It would take a bit longer to be
 > able to draw images, but I'm now sure I could do okay after enough practice.
 > 
 > Unfortunately, the mouse broke (cursor pedal stopped responding - I tried
 > plugging it into other PCs and no luck).  Fortunately, a new unit is on its
 > way...
 > 
 > Most of my programming involves writing PERL CGI scripts.  PERL for Win32,
 > BTW (yeah, some people may say I'm a traitor ;-) ).
 > 
 > Of course C is quite similar to PERL.  As for voice recognition software,
 > you're actually successful at using it to write C code!?!  I was always
 > under the impression that VR software was only good for performing word
 > processing.  Please tell me more!

 There is a project called VoiceCode.  Try visiting:

http://onelist.com/community/VoiceCoder

and

http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert/bookmarks/health/rsi

 Using voice for programming is excruciatingly slow, unfortunately.
I use an old product called Dragon Dictate.  A lot of people use more
modern software such as Dragon Naturally Speaking.  Eventually, I'll have
to upgrade but it works ok for now.

 > Glad to hear from yet another programmer that's determined NOT to give up
 > their career (a few people have suggested that I switch careers).
 > 
 > Thanks,
 > 
 > Kevin
 > 
 > 
 > -----Original Message-----
 > From: Discussion of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendonitis etc..
 > [http://www.ITSSRV1.UCSF.EDU/~SOREHAND]On Behalf Of Robert
 > Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2000 4:29 PM
 > To: http://www.ITSSRV1.UCSF.EDU/~SOREHAND
 > Subject: Re: Is the "NoHands Mouse" practical and easy to get used to?
 > 
 > 
 > Message has been automatically signed by PGPsendmail 1.4.4,
 > available from ftp://ftp.atnf.csiro.au/pub/people/rgooch/
 > 
 > 
 > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
 > 
 > 
 >  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.)
 >