Ergonomics at the computer, part 1

Background

I started typing a long, long time ago, in a galaxy country far far away. As an avid nerd, that meant programming or playing Tau Ceti for hours and hours every day. I didn't learn to type "properly" (that concept wasn't taught in schools at the time) and almost certainly developed terrible typing habits. Add to that the desire and ability to type pretty fast (95 wpm on average), and a couple of careers that relied on typing a lot, and it's not surprising I've been dealing with RSI (repetitive stress injury) for quite some time. This has led to a lifelong pursuit of ergonomics.

While it's fun to try various kinds of keyboards, mice, and computing devices, in my case fun is only a side benefit. Using standard devices is not possible: typing on a straight or laptop keyboard for just a few minutes will trigger a tendinitis flare-up that can be partially or completely disabling for days. As someone who makes a living typing all day, not being able to type is problematic. So I've been trying a lot of devices and learned a few things that may be useful to my two million readers, hence this post.

Outline

The plan is to discuss various approaches and devices I've tried over the years, with some semblance of structure. Topics will include keyboards, mice, trackballs, touchpads, tablet devices (with and without styluses), and accessories like keyboard trays, mouse pads, wrist/palm rests, tenting kits, etc.

Part 1: Keyboards