Ergonometry goes wild

By James Andrews

Just recently the computer market has exploded with different types of peripherals that have ergonomic designs. Do the benefits of these devices warrant the expense in getting them? The response to this question relies on the individual. Working on a computer most of the time, I have come in contact with a large number of these devices. Below are reviews of all of these new devices that I have came into contact with. These reviews may prove useful in your decision to upgrade to these devices.

Microsoft Natural Keyboard – This is one device that I had looked forward to owning for a long time. The keyboard looks like it will be difficult to learn. This proves to be true at first, especially if you have had typing class before, but ranging from an hour to a day you can get use to its design and that is when you start loving this keyboard. I have always had big hands so typing on a keyboard was especially tough for me. This keyboard fixed that problem with its design. It has one very unusual side effect- once you start using this keyboard you will have to adjust to your old style of typing if you switch computers and go to one that does not have a ergonomic keyboard.

Microsoft Mouse and Intellimouse – These two mice have a design that feels comfortable and are easy to use. I give Microsoft an A on their IntelliPoint software which has many handy features in Windows. The Intellimouse even has a wheel in the middle to scroll through web pages in Internet Explorer or Microsoft Office applications. The only bad thing is that the wheel does not work in all applications, just the ones that it supports. It is also fairly expensive and is not made for left handers.

Logitech Mouseman and Mouseman – These are the Logitech versions of the Microsoft Mouse. These are also good mice. The Mouseman is the one with the wheel. These have a feature that the Microsoft mice do not have and these both include a handy thumb button on the side. So these mice have one or two more buttons than either of the Microsoft mice. The only problem is that the software that comes with these mice is not as good because it has some bugs in it that hinder selecting at times. Another problem is that if you go from a mouse like the Microsoft mouse the design seems difficult to get used to. Like the Microsoft mice, this does not offer a left-handed version.

Whether or not you decide to use any of these products depends on you and what you want from your computer. I like all of these, though. Each has its pluses and minuses. In any case they might help you remain comfortable while on your computer.