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PaperclipPerfector  5mo ago (text post)   2397 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for December 3, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Vertical mice: yes or no? Should I be aware of something if I am thinking of buying one?

Yes, I have an MX Vertical and have used it for ~5 years. I no longer have any wrist pain (well, except for when I get carried away scrolling my phone). No downsides that I'm aware of, and it's occasionally a good convo starter in the office.

Look in to split keyboards as well.

Normally I see those as a solution to specific ergonomic problem, is there a reason you're thinking of getting one?

Personally, my strategy to avoid RSI is to use a trackball when working at home, mouse at the office.

My right wrist hurts when I try to bend it beyond 90 degrees forwards or backwards, while my left one doesn't.

I just tried that and I'm pretty sure the average human wrist isn't meant to bend more than that. It's about the limit of my flexibility, if not outright painful unless I force it.

No, it's not meant to bend more than that unless your joints are hypermobile, but it's not supposed to hurt when you try. I am not talking about BJJ joint locks, just yoga-level mild force. When I do this to my left hand, I think, "yes, this is a nice stretch". When I do this to my right one, I think, "ow, this is not good"

Yes. I started having wrist pain about 5 years ago in my right wrist, to the point where it was seriously impacting my work. I did some research and bought a cheap vertical mouse, and my pain went went away in about a week and never came back. Best $25 I ever spent.

If you have larger hands, make sure to get a larger mouse, though. They vary a lot in size and I find smaller ones not nearly as comfortable.

Thanks. I have little bitch hands, to quote Nick Shabazz, so I will be looking for a smaller mouse.

Nah. Unless you're a fps gamer your focus should be on the keyboard. And even before that, your skills.

Do you know your way around the terminal?

Do you know keyboard shortcuts?

Are those shortcuts consistent among your browser, editor and terminal?

Do you have a window manager?

I don't think FPS gamers are the target audience of vertical mice. My wrist started to hurt and my LMB started misclicking, so I am looking for a new ergonomic mouse.

It takes some getting used to but yes, if you use a mouse a lot for work it feels noticeably better.

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