Ville’s Ergonomics Recommendations

These links were originally—many years ago—part of LinkResource. At some point, perhaps in 2002 or 2003 I separated the ergonomics links onto their own page which lived at URL www.linkresource.com/ergonomy (it now forwards here). I had neither edited the links nor updated the content for few years and many things had changed. New technologies and designs had arrived, and many sites that are still in operation had changed their structure so that most links on the page had gone “404″. The updated information and the links below reflect the situation today. Hopefully this is useful to someone looking for pointers on ergonomics. Feel free to leave comments, additions, and corrections (please leave any feedback at the associated blog entry as commenting doesn’t seem to be working on the static pages).

You can access this page also through a shorter URL:
http://galagzee.com/ergonomics/

Computer Work Environment

  • Work table (by Biomorph)
    • Biomorph »interactive desks» are cool, though rather pricey workstation tables. Considering the premium price I wish they offered an even more “wrap around” model as there is often no sufficient table work area after a keyboard, trackball, tablet/digitizer, etc. are placed on it.
    • Another equally good option for a work desk is Elevate Wrap by Anthro. Again, it won’t come cheap. Anthro manufactures also a wide range of other adjustable technical furniture.
  • Work chair (by Humanscale)
    • During the “dot-com bubble” in mid-90’s to very early 2000’s Herman Miller’s Aeron chairs could be found from numerous startup offices. Aeron was, and still is not a bad chair, but it is very heavy, and not particularly easy to adjust to optimal ergonomic settings. I, for example, very often catch myself sitting on the edge of the seat — essentially on the “rim”, without utilizing the back support. Having recurring lower back pain I started looking for the modern alternatives and came across Liberty chair by Humanscale, which at first sight looks rather simplistic when compared to Aeron. There are no recline controls or locks, no seat-back tension adjustment knob, and no adjustable lumbar support. The only levers that can be found on the chair are, in fact, for seat height and depth and, optionally, arm-rest height. But sit on the chair, and… ahh! It automatically shapes itself to support your back! No more accidental sitting on the rim (well, there is no rim on Liberty chair — the seat is not hammock-forming mesh but very comfortable gel/foam). I’ve been comparing the chairs now for couple of months and there is no question about which one comes out as the new king of the ergonomic hill. :-)
    • A good chair should be accompanied with a good footrest. Check out Webble™ Active Footrest.
  • LCD Display (by a major manufacturer)
    • The recent steep price cuts of the LCD displays have put the “optimal” display setup in the price range of most user. It is difficult to recommend a particular brand, so visit LcdNfo.com to compare various models from different manufacturers. The wide-screen display (such as those offered by Dell, Samsung and NEC), the ultra-wide “Cinema HD” display by Apple (it also works with PC/Windows), or a combination display comprised of two or three standard 20-21″ displays is highly recommended as the increased desktop space has often a very clear correlation to increased productivity and working comfort as the user can have more windows open on the desktop simultaneously without having to flip between the windows. Note that the 30″ HD displays require dual link support in the display controller.
    • The professional display controller solutions include various models from NVIDIA, Sapphire Technology, PNY, Leadtek, ASUS and some other manufacturers. Many of these controllers provide connectors for two or even four displays (quad-monitor connectivity is offered, for example, by NVIDIA Quadro NVS 440 -based boards by PNY and Leadtek, and some ATI Radeon “2X” boards such as VisionTek “HD 3870 2X”). Many cards also offer two dual-link capable DVI outputs (see details in Wikipedia) to be used with the “HD” or “Cinema” displays capable of displaying 2560×1600 resolution. If you’re going to use the multi-display system for gaming you should be looking for one or two (depending whether you want two or 3-4 displays) late model NVIDIA GeForce controllers. Obviously, your motherboard will need to have the necessary [dual] PCIe (16x) connectors on it for use with two display controllers and your computer case must be able to accommodate the usually rather large 3D-capable graphics controllers. Most NVIDIA 8xxx and 9xxx series cards as well as recent ATI Radeon cards are able to display the desktop across three or four monitors, but the taskbar is limited one or two screens at most. If you want to have the task bar on more than two monitors, use UltraMon to add it on all displays, and True Launch Bar to pack more icons to the QuickLaunch bar which will not span more than two monitors (Quadro NVS controllers such as quad-monitor capable Quadro NVS 440 had the capability of spanning the task/QuickLaunch bar across up to four monitors, but the feature is being removed from the drivers).  If you’re running Vista, double-check with the board’s manufacturer as multi-view capability is in some cases limited to XP.
    • Yet another option for multi-monitor connectivity is offered by Sewell Direct’s USB-to-DVI “external video card” — it also works with laptops just like Digital Tigers’ PC Card -based external video card. Matrox’s external DualHead2Go (analog and digital version) and TripleHead2Go (analog and version) modules take another approach by connecting to the host computer’s existing video—preferably dual link enabled—video output.
    • The LCD panels are easy to mount in a wide variety of ways to provide the optimal viewing angle. Number of manufacturers offer wide range of mounting mechanisms for the LCD panels (the connector is quite universally standardized, so no matter which manufacturer’s display(s) you purchase, it should be possible to use standardized mounts with them). Ergotron is a good supplier of LCD mounting mechanisms. Humanscale will soon offer a “Paramount” mechanism for up to eight LCD panels in two rows.
    • Panoram Technologies PV230 DSK is a turnkey multi-display solution (at a considerably higher cost than a good display controller + three 20″ LCD displays + Ergotron stand for three monitors; read a review on Ergotron LX Triple Display Lift). I vouch for the Ergotron stand — it rocks! Ergotron also has a four monitor stand.
    • Noteworthy multi-monitor software utilities include UltraMon, MaxiVista, and NVIDIA’s nView (which is supported by many controllers built by NVIDIA as well as by other manufacturers’ controllers that are based on NVIDIA chips, such as various models by PNY, Leadtek, ASUS, and several other manufacturers.)
    • Some points to consider for multi-monitor setup: If you’re going to use multiple standard 4:3 LCD displays, their maximum resolution is 1600×1200, and—if you’re not going to use them for games or other 3D-use—the cleanest way to combine them is to use a NVIDIA Quadro NVS 440 x16 card (models available from PNY, Leadtek), which joins the three monitors together for a massive 4800×1200 desktop (or four for 6400×1200!!). If you’re using two or four displays, you’ll be looking at the bezel right in front of you. Having been using two-monitor setup for quite some time before moving to three-monitor setup, having the bezel seam in the middle is surprisingly unpleasant: all the program prompts, login-boxes, etc. are by default centered in the unified display, right at the seam. With three monitors the center of your middle monitor is the center of all three displays, and that’s where the prompts will show up. Or, if you use a video card that dosen’t offer multi-view (i.e. anything but NVIDIA Quadro series), the prompts show up at the monitor you set up as the “primary” (usually the leftmost display), but then the taskbar is also limited to that display. You can use UltraMon with such controllers to add a “Smart Taskbar” to the other windows. Finally—if you don’t mind staring at the seam in the center of your multi-monitor setup (and if money is not an object)—you could consider using two 30″ HD monitors at maximum dual-link resolution 2560×1600 with two dual link capable cards in a SLI (NVIDIA) or CrossFire (ATI) arrangement to drive truly massive desktop area at 5120×1600. You may still not be able to utilize multi-view to extend the taskbar across the two monitors (although most controllers allow to span the task/quicklaunch bar across two monitors), but at least you’ll either have one very long taskbar (on one monitor), or if you use UltraMon, at least there are just two individual taskbars. This comes at a cost, however, with each HD display costing upward from $1,200 (and then you’ll still need the video card(s)). For the cost of one HD monitors alone you can get three standard 20″ displays and the excellent Ergotron multi-monitor stand. To complete either monitor setup go for NVIDIA Quadro NVS 440 x16 (I recommend the model by PNY) for general/non-3D/non-gaming use, or if you need 3D, use two dual-monitor (and dual-link if you’re using HD displays) capable modern GeForce or Radeon cards.
    • If you suffer from Computer Vision Syndrome, check out Prio lenses.
  • Trackball (by Kensington)
    • Microsoft’s venerable — if not legendary — Trackball Explorer was probably the most ergonomic trackball that has ever been manufactured. Microsoft, however, decided to »focus on creating comfortable and stylish mouse products instead of trackballs» and Trackball Explorer was discontinued as a fringe product. You might still be able to find a one from eBay for three to five times the original cost.
    • With Trackball Explorer gone, the reasonable ergonomic trackball options are limited to Kensington Expert Mouse, Kensington Orbit Optical Trackball, Logitech Cordless TrackMan Optical, and Logitech Marble Mouse. Additionally, Logitech offers couple of trackball models that place the ball of the trackball under the thumb which is a bad idea — the thumb is not nearly as accurate as the index finger to control the ball movement. ITAC/MouseTrack, Evergreen Systems, and CH Products trackballs have an industrial, if not “80’s” feel to them (well, various Evergreen and CH Products trackballs are industrial trackballs).
    • An upright joystick-like Ergonomic Mouse (formerly known as “Renaissance Mouse”) by 3M may be suitable for some people.
    • Getting used to a trackball may take from couple of weeks to couple of months, but usually people who make the transition never look back. However, if you are more comfortable with a mouse, take a look at Microsoft’s extensive line of mouse products, or consider Contour Design’s very ergonomically designed Perfit Mouse which comes in various sizes to fit individual hand sizes.
    • Perific manufactures a hand-held Wireless Dual Mouse that includes a small trackball.
  • Keyboard (by Microsoft)
    • I have been quite happy with Microsoft Natural Keyboard series, most recently with Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. It has provided the right balance between ergonomics and usability. Perhaps if I were simply typing out text (such as writing a novella or a screenplay), a more radically ergonomic keyboard such as one of the Kinesis, Maltron, or vertical Safe Type models might have come into question. But for mixed programming/general writing use the more radical keyboards tend to become a hindrance (unless, of course, the user is suffering, from RSI or other ailment which one of the more radical keyboard designs alleviate).
    • Many of the ergonomic keyboards are available with alternative international layouts. Microsoft offers international layouts only when purchased from the target countries; i.e. to get a German layout version of a Microsoft keyboard you need to order one from the German language area (Germany, Switzerland..), etc.
    • Some of the ergonomic keyboards are available with DVORAK (wikipedia entry) lay-out legends, and may be software remappable.
    • Many of the keyboards include numeric keypads, but if you need a separate numeric keypad (for example, for use with a laptop) consider adding Genovation MicroPad to your system.
    • If you mostly use a mouse or a trackball, but also have to frequently type in short bits of information, or if you have a handicap that limits the use of one hand, Infogrip BAT or FrogPad may be the solution as they replicate all the functions of a standard keyboard in a device that can be operated with one hand (FrogPad is also wireless). Both manufacturers offer “lefty” and “righty” versions versions of their one-hand keyboards. Finally, Matias Half-qwerty Keyboard offers easy switching between single-handed and two-handed typing.
    • Need to add extra keys for macros and other programmable functions? Take a look at various Genovation ControlPad models and various X-keys models from P.I. Engineering.
  • Digitizing tablet (by Wacom)
    • One ergonomic item whose recommendation hasn’t changed for many, many years is the digitizing tablet. Kurta and other significant competition has gone away long, long ago, and WACOM keeps improving their professional Intuos and consumer-oriented Graphire product lines. Graphire is ok, but if you’re not on a tight budget, the higher resolution and the additional features offered by Intuos line are worth the extra money. WACOM also makes Cintiq-tablets which come with an integrated screen.
    • The tablet can be connected and used concurrently (though not simultaneously) with other pointing devices such as a trackball. If you plan to use the tablet as the primary pointing device consider purchasing an ergonomic cordless puck that you can use interchangeably (and simultaneously if desired with the larger Intuos models) with the cordless pressure pen. Some of the WACOM models come both with a pen and a puck by default.
  • Arm support (by ErgoRest, replaces or supplements chair/keyboard wrist supports)
    • I prefer the “articulating arm supports” over regular wrist supports, although a generic wrist support is better than no support at all. When you use an arm support there will be no pressure against your wrist at all thus reducing the likelihood of getting RSI, or Repetitive Strain Injury. For additional info on RSI see Typing Injury FAQ. The sturdiest (and unfortunately also the most expensive, I think) of the kind are made by ErgoRest. Several different models are available for different uses. ErgoRest Finland ships them directly, but you can also find them from many resellers such as The Ergonomic Store, JA Ergonomic Products, or Comfort Keyboard.
    • Note that the arm supports provided by many chairs may interfere with the use of the articulating arm supports. If you plan to switch to articulating supports, make sure your work chair’s arm-supports are removable (or are not in the way). I personally use these days a mix of the Liberty-chair’s and Microsoft Natural Keyboard’s supports with one articulating arm support for the right hand — to be used with the trackball or with the WACOM tablet.
  • Full-spectrum Task Lighting (by Vita-Lite)
    • Lighting is an area of ergonomy that is maybe the most frequently overlooked. Yet it’s effect on the working comfort and efficiency can easily be as (or more) significant than, say, that of the working chair’s. The ergonomy of lighting has two areas of importance: mechanical (removal of glare, adjusting the intensity), and the quality of the light (how closely the light matches that of full-spectrum daylight). Again, the latter of the two is more frequently overlooked factor but it has at least as much influence on lighting comfort than the mechanical aspects.
    • Possibly the number one culprit of lighting-induced workplace fatigue is the use of standard white fluorescent tubes with low Color Rendering Index in direct lighting celing fixtures. The spectrum of the standard fluorescent tubes with low C.R.I. is highly distorted when compared to that of sunlight; several studies suggest it has negative effect on health of living organisms - including that of, say, a programmer who is exposed to such light day after day. On the other hand, the direct lighting fixtures produce high intensity light that is completely unadjustable by the individual people working in the office. The recommended solution is to use indirect ambient/background lighting fixtures, such as those by Axis Lighting (for example, look for model “flow”) along with BlueMax or Vita-Lite tubes, or Chromalux bulbs from Lumiram.
    • Additionally each workstation should have adjustable (both position and intensity) task lighting. If possible, natural light should be incorporated to general lighting of the room. Noteworthy ergonomic task lighting fixtures are Sunnex, Ott-Lite, and BlueMax ergonomic desk lamps.
    • Finally, even though we can light our dwellings and places of business quite effectively with electric light, nothing replaces natural light (and, maybe equally importantly, a view to the outside world).
    • Recommended reading on lighting and it’s effects include Dr. John Ott’s books “Light, Radiation & You” and “Health & Light”, and Dr. Jacob Liberman’s book “Light, Medicine of the Future” (some of these books may be out of print, and if so, the best place to find them is eBay’s Half.com).
  • Acoustic noise reduction (by pinta acoustic, inc.)
  • Humanscale has the most versatile keyboard trays, laptop holders, and footrests
  • ErgoMart offers good selection of ergonomy products

    • Resting and free time products

    More resources on ergonomics…