Title: You Write, the Editor Replies

Dear Lois, Francis,

I used to have trouble with fatigue brought on by my keyboard and mouse. For the last couple of years I have been using a Microsoft "Natural" keyboard and Intellimouse, and a Rexel mouse mat incorporating a wrist rest. I have had no further problems since making the switch. Also, the split keyboard has improved my typing considerably.

Lamentably, the original Microsoft keyboard has been discontinued, though it may be possible to get one secondhand. The design of the replacement model ("Elite") is so disastrous that is not really worth bothering with. The wrist-leveller has been removed, and the extended keys are half size with an annoying scrunched up layout.

Jim Barry <jim@thermoteknix.co.uk>

Hi Jim, Francis,

Thanks for the suggestion - Francis has also made the same one. I looked at the Microsoft Natural keyboard several years ago, but didn't find it appealing. I think it felt too big for my hands. In any case, the problem in my wrists didn't last long (and may have been partly related to playing squash when I was out of practice). To be honest, the main appeal of the floppy keyboard was that it looked so darn cool. The RSI argument was how I justified to myself spending the money on it. :-)

All this infernal mouse clicking may be more to blame than the typing. I have recently bought a wrist rest for the keyboard (though I grudge the desk space -another argument for the flat one!) and I may yet acquire a rest for the mouse as well.

Lois Goldthwaite <loisg@ospace.demon.co.uk>