Regarding the joystick, awhile back when I was running the Bay Area Motion Graphics group we got a variety of vendors to give us a variety of devices and had folks test them.

 

The joystick was one of the devices that stood out… sort of. We bought a few of them here at Digital Anarchy and ultimately stopped using them. Less stress on the wrist, but it puts a lot of stress on your arm/shoulder. An improvement, but ultimately it just moves the stress to a different area.

 

Patrick, I disagree with Shelby’s advice regarding devices. I don’t think there is such a thing as a good mouse or trackpad when it comes to RSI. Tablets when positioned and used correctly are the only thing I’ve found to really help with my RSI problems. Whenever I switch back to a mouse or have to use trackpad on laptop it becomes a problem. In terms of preventing RSI, switching devices is probably better than doing nothing, but once you have serious RSI problems it becomes very clear what devices help and which aggravate it.

 

I realize everyone’s mileage will vary… but  once you get used to a tablet as a mouse replacement (NOT as a paint tool) and get a proper chair/workstation setup, it’s amazing the difference it makes. Part of the trick is having adjustable arms on the chair (I’ve got a Steelcase chair which is great), so that your arm is lightly resting on the arm of the chair while you’re using the tablet and you can configure things so you can sit upright and not have to extend your arm.

 

I use a Wacom 4x6 for my 1920x1080 monitor. This is not great as a paint tablet for that size monitor, but as a mouse replacement it kicks ass. I also LOVE the Microsoft  Natural Ergonomic 4000 keyboard. Excellent keyboard.

 

If you don’t have the space to have 3 desks and 3 types of chairs, getting up and stretching frequently is extremely helpful. So yeah, changing your position frequently is a great idea, but that can be done through stretching as well as different types of workstations. Yoga and learning how to stretch properly will help considerably.

 

 

Cheers,

Jim

--------------- 

Jim Tierney

President

Digital Anarchy

 

 

 

 

From: After Effects Mail List [mailto:AE-List@media-motion.tv] On Behalf Of patrick siemer
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 8:04 PM
To: After Effects Mail List
Subject: [AE] The best ergonomic input device is...

 

...The next device you use. just don't use it for long.

For some time at  Pixar we had a full-time Ergonomics expert named Shelby. 

She was so good at her job, she actually worked her way out of a job.

Essentially, she had one Mantra about Ergonomics and preventing Repetitive Stress Injury.  

"The Best Position is your next Position."

Everybody always wanted to know the best way to sit, the best mouse to use, the best tablet, trackball, chair, Lifting desk, standing desk, Yoga ball, etc.

Her answer was always the same,  "All of them, and switch them often."

She encouraged people to sit however they wanted, but to change positions, chairs and input devices often. As often as Possible, Many times a day.

I had begun to experience a numbness in my mousing arm, but that little bit of info saved my arm forever.

I learned to use a Yoga Ball sometimes, a Swopper stool sometimes, a Freedom chair sometimes, and with the awesome Electro-Lifting desk, 

i could switch from sitting to standing with the push of a button.

Repetitive stress Injuries happen when you keep doing the same thing over and over.

She taught the common-sense lesson "If your body is hurting from doing something, Stop doing it."

If you switch things around enough, you'll never get to the Injury hurting part.  

To service that advice, her office was like an ergonomic birthday party for everyone who entered.

Every input device known to man, available for any worker who was interested, to just take back to their office and get back to work  In Another Position.

When I mentioned that my arm was tingling, I had an electric desk the next day.

It might sound excessive, but It wasn't just to coddle the artists, preventing disabling injuries is just good business

 

Plus, Electric Lifting Desks are the most badass desks ever. 

I will always use one, as long as I have to look at a screen at work or home.

 

Oh yeah, My Next Device is this little gadget, you can pre-order now....

 

https://leapmotion.com/

 

finally! 

 

patrick siemer

tapeandglue.com

 

 

 

On Oct 8, 2012, at 11:58 AM, Phil Spitler wrote:

Continuing on the thread of input devices....

 

Anybody use a joystick with AE and OSX.

 

We are looking something like this.

 

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Ergonomic-Optical-Compatible-EM500GPS/dp/B00008KWWG

 

Any thoughts?

 

Phil

 

 

 

Phil Spitler  |  Creative Technologist   |  Bonfire Labs  |  t : 415.394.8200  m : 415.571.3139

Website | Facebook | LinkedIn