For you younger folk out there - a few words of caution

Welcome to our Community
Wanting to join the rest of our members? Feel free to sign up today.
Sign up
glenwilson

glenwilson

NRU Heed
NRU Member
15 Mar 2012
9,960
12,952
228
65
Falkirk, United Kingdom
After a few different jobs involving the production of beverages I got a job in IT. At that time, early '80s, operating a mainframe computer was from a terminal hardwired into the system and was all keyboard commands and the odd IBM PC around the data centre had a mouse. Gradually terminals were moved to PCs to enable us to opereate several mainframes from a single terminal and those PCs had a mouse. So for about 30 years of my work life I was using a mouse for a large proportion of the day.

As things changed the companies I worked for all complied with health and safety regulations to ensure our work stations were comfortable and set up correctly to prevent all the usual aches and pains and longer term issues from having desk jobs. Position of seats, height of desks, the desk space and organisation were all monitored to help prevent health issues. ai don't have any complaints about that at all.

Later, I became involved in electronic printing and the design of forms - the sort of stuff bank statements and bills use. The majority of my time was spent using a keyboard and mouse.

After leaving IT I was then doing car photography for a few years. Basically taking about 10 photos of each vehicle from different angles against a plain background outside in natural light. Whilst most of the effort was getting the picture correct in camera because of different light and locations there was still some editing to be done. Main changes were cropping and resizing the images and a few other things that could be done as a batch in Lightroom. After that I had to check each image to make sure it was Ok and maybe tweaking the crop, light balance and so on. Would sometimes do about 200 cars in a day so about 2,000 images to be edited and then uploaded. Nearly all editing was using the mouse.

Add into that playing BF.

Though the health and safety protocols covered most things they didn't really cover the actual mouse that we had to use. In most cases it was mouse that came with the PC (no USB mouse in those days). These were very basic devices and a lot of time was spent cleaning the physical mouse ball. When you have large hands using a small mouse all days was uncomfortable.

So, lets zoom to the current date after that brief bit of history. For the last 18 months or so my right hand thumb and first two fingers - those you use on a mouse have been showing signs of damage. Basically loose all feeling in them when doing things. Holding paintbrush, airbrush, tweezers, a knife and other tools is almost impossible at times. When driving, holding the steering wheel isn't painful but after a longish drive it does get numb. Holding a coffee cup gets interesting when you cannot feel anything.

I think this has been due to using a mouse for many years that hasn't been comfortable (one size fits all) and wasn't suitable for my hands. At home I have tended to have a big mouse and even now when playing it is comfortable and I don't get the numbness and pins and needles feeling - not saying that many thousands of hours of playing hasn't contributed to this as a lot of BF mouse use is repetative.

So my advice is to make sure that the mouse you use with any computer is comfortable and is a suitable size for your hand. This isn't life changing but it is uncomfortable and does affect a lot of things that I do. Definately think about your mouse to avoid issues in the future.
 
Just adding this. Not looking for sympathy or anything but just wanted to highlight how things can take a while to affect you.

If I wanted sympathy I would have told you about the plastic mat that I have under my chair to protect the laminated flooring that I stood on and it slipped. I then fell hurt my knee, broke the wooden blind whilst trying to stop falling then jarred my shoulder and then hit my head on the radiator! My wife's reaction: 'Can you fix the blind?' 🤣
 
This is a very good reminder for everyone, Thanks Glen! Year after year continued repetitive strain to any part of your body will leave its mark if not taken care off. Using right equipment and also remembering to stretch/exercise your joints and muscles will usually help to prevent it.

I havent used PC so much that it have (at least not yet) left any marks but i have thousands of hours with console controllers and it feels. I have days when it feels like my thumps and index fingers are falling off or it hurts like hell to move them.

Gaming is dangerous! 😁
 
Well too aware of the mouse issues, if I use the standard issued mouse of le company, my hand hurts after 8 hours of use. At first bought myself a fancy mouse (Logitech mx master) for business use, 2 years later was just talking with my boss about it and once mentioned the mouse. His first reaction, let the secratary buy you a new mouse of company money, your hand clearly needs it (mx master 3 it is now :p). Apparently I work for a company that takes employees health serious (at least with providing correct mouse and keyboard gear). Yes that stuff (and other stuff involving health) is expensive, but the damage prevended by it is priceless.

Also sorry to hear about your situation glen :(
 
Well too aware of the mouse issues, if I use the standard issued mouse of le company, my hand hurts after 8 hours of use. At first bought myself a fancy mouse (Logitech mx master) for business use, 2 years later was just talking with my boss about it and once mentioned the mouse. His first reaction, let the secratary buy you a new mouse of company money, your hand clearly needs it (mx master 3 it is now :p). Apparently I work for a company that takes employees health serious (at least with providing correct mouse and keyboard gear). Yes that stuff (and other stuff involving health) is expensive, but the damage prevended by it is priceless.

Also sorry to hear about your situation glen :(
Glad your company and boss takes it seriously and hopefully it will avoid issues in the future.

The companies I worked for were good in terms of health and safety and I have no issues with that. I don't think mouse related RSI was an issue at the time and it was concentrated on keyboard use. It is uncomfortable but not that bad. It is funny when you are trying to use a paintbrush when you have no feeling in the grip you are using. Have tried using my left hand and that is laughably bad as I am very right handed. Can use an airbrush left handed though.

Given how much we use computers and a computer mouse I just wanted to highlight it. I have tried track balls but never really got on with them even after using them for quite a while. Was hoping the second jab would remove the need for a mouse and just enable me to pair directly to the PC. :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: The_Hellr1der
Thanks for bringing my attention to this subject but i already got few words on this subject from my dad who has been working for a while now with MnK and he gave me same advices while i was picking my mouse for the pc few months back and i dont feel any pain or discomfort from using my setup. While choosing new mouse i compered quite a few in how they feel in my hand and i picked one that was the most comfy for me.
Also sorry about ur incident. Hope all is good and the blind is fixed xD
 
  • Like
Reactions: glenwilson
I dont know wether it has been mentioned, but when you work a lot in office it would be a good idea to use an upright mouse or vertical mouse. Then you have a more natural rotation of your hand joint.
Looks stupid but tested the one of my dad and it felt more relaxed in the ellbow as well.

Since most of my days job in my old work was done on keyboard never bothered to get one, but would get one next time working in an office job.
 
  • Like
Reactions: glenwilson
View attachment 13224
Dropping engines and gearboxes in a small garage will hurt your back too, hammer and all power tools hunt your hands and eyes Daily :)
Remember workin on my mini and mk1 escort (about 40 years ago) in a cold garage in winter. Wash your hands afterwards only to find no skin on my knuckles. You can even now see where the skin was missing.
 
Remember workin on my mini and mk1 escort (about 40 years ago) in a cold garage in winter. Wash your hands afterwards only to find no skin on my knuckles. You can even now see where the skin was missing.
WAIT. u had Mk 1 escort :0 thats my favorite car!! U maybe still have it? Or some pictures at least? Thats so cool that i know someone who had that car!
 
WAIT. u had Mk 1 escort :0 thats my favorite car!! U maybe still have it? Or some pictures at least? Thats so cool that i know someone who had that car!

I don't think I have any photos of it as it was pre digital cameras and I will need to have a look through albums in the loft. Unfortunately it was recycled. Used it for rallying. Was a fun car to drive in its short life. It is surprising how small they were compared to new cars.

Been trying to find one of these to build but they are silly prices at the moment.

 
I don't think I have any photos of it as it was pre digital cameras and I will need to have a look through albums in the loft. Unfortunately it was recycled. Used it for rallying. Was a fun car to drive in its short life. It is surprising how small they were compared to new cars.

Been trying to find one of these to build but they are silly prices at the moment.

Ah i see.
You were rallying with it? I quess just on some fields and forest tho, right? Must have been so fun.
I rly love small old cars especialy models with fun rally history behind them like mk1 escort or the Old mini. They look so good imo
 
Ah i see.
You were rallying with it? I quess just on some fields and forest tho, right? Must have been so fun.
I rly love small old cars especialy models with fun rally history behind them like mk1 escort or the Old mini. They look so good imo

The ones we did were off road - old tank proving grounds. Meant you didn't need a crew to travel around following you so less expensive. I remember when you started getting the Group B cars like the quattro.

Imgpc115 Imgpc109 2 17 2008 024 2 17 2008 017 2 17 2008 016
 
This is the reason why I use a ten keyless keyboard so my arm can be closer together. And having a sideways mouse when I'm not gaming. My mom has carpal tunnel syndrome this is where the carpal tunnel where all your nerves pass trough in your hand closes up. So I have to be carfull with my hands. And take a break ever hour to just relax
 
To be honest that is probably what I have. Not been to the doctor about it but will need to see if a wrist support would help. Don't get any pain, just the lack of feeling ( which wifey asks how is that different. 🙂 ). Maybe because I have painkillers for hips and knees I don't notice that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CapHunterx
I thought u were going just for fun with some friends or smth like that... did u take part in any competitions? Thats all so cool to me!

The pics were from the RAC rally but the ones we did were club events ovr about 6 stages. Used to do autotests (driving stupid around cones) and also navigation night rallies (sort of treasure hunt but using more traditional compass and map). In those days you only had to finish 3 events and you could get an International competition licence that meant you could enter WRC events. I think it is a bit harder now.
 
Wow thats so cool that u did stuff like that. Sounds like a lot if fun. I wish i could do something simmilar
 

Users who are viewing this thread