Mobile Computing: Safer Pointing Devices

Feature: Pointing Devices and Ergonomics

Notebooks feature built-in keyboards and trackpads or eraser-type pointing devices (or both). But you may be better off not using them.

Why? Because, ergonomically speaking, they can be bad news. Typing on a notebook for long periods of time can put your hands, arms, neck, and shoulders in awkward positions.

"You can never get positioned properly when typing on a notebook," says Deborah Quilter, coauthor of The Repetitive Strain Injury Recovery Book (Walker and Company, 1998, 212/727-8300). "When you have the notebook in the proper position for your hands, you have to look down too far to see the screen and that strains your neck. If you have the notebook in the proper position for viewing the screen, you risk straining your arms and hands to reach the keyboard."

Fear of Mice

Obviously, there will be times when you'll need to use your notebook's built-in input device, such as when you're checking e-mail wirelessly while waiting to board a plane.

But you should use computer mice and other input devices sparingly, as each can be used improperly and, over time, strain your hands and arms. Instead, rely on keyboard shortcuts whenever you can, Quilter recommends.

Another important step toward reducing your risk for repetitive strain injury is to attach an external keyboard and input device to your notebook, particularly for prolonged work sessions. (This may be tricky on cross-country flights in coach.) External devices allow you to position the notebook properly for comfortable typing and screen viewing.

All external input devices can lead to RSI if improperly used, Quilter says. But without a doubt, the worst offender is the mouse.

The computer mouse "is a disaster," Quilter says. "Mice inherently strain the hand by forcing repetitive use of one digit, and they are awkward to hold. Some of the most serious injuries I have seen come from mouse use."

Try a Trackpad or Trackball

For herself, Quilter finds that a small external trackpad--similar to the kind built into many notebooks today--is the least uncomfortable input device. Quilter places the trackpad between the two pieces of her split keyboard, which prevents her from having to reach for the side, where most people keep their pointing device.

Some trackballs are preferable to mice, as they don't encourage the kind of gripping that mice do, Quilter says.

With a trackball, you move the cursor by rolling the ball with your thumb or index finger. Many models, particularly those from Kensington, provide multiple programmable buttons. Each button can be programmed to, say, launch a particular application, perform a double click, and so on. This reduces the amount of clicks you must make. And fewer clicks means less strain on your hands.

Another advantage: Trackballs require less space than mice. A mouse needs to be moved around, while a trackball sits in a holder.

The only disadvantage: Dust and grime can accumulate in the trackball chamber (the area the ball sits in). When that happens, simply take the ball out, blow or wipe out the dust, and get right back to work.

Staying Productive

Many people use notebooks and other portable devices to stay productive on the road. But if you don't pay attention to ergonomics when using these devices, you can hurt yourself--and getting injured is a sure-fire way to kill productivity.

"Portable computing isn't necessarily a great thing," Quilter says. "It causes people to work more, and to carry more on a trip, and that can lead to injury."

Resources

• Quilter's book is available at Amazon.com
  
  
• For external trackballs and trackpads, go to the Safe Computing Web site.
  
  
• For more on notebook ergonomics, read "Mobile Computing: Pain-Free Portable Computing."