| I had emacs pinky when I was in grad school. Now I have a job and I'm still pretty concerned about my RSI. Here's a few tips I've used, and a few things I'm considering: Things that have worked well for me (cheap solutions): - Use a keyboard that doesn't encourage you to 'bottom out' to execute a key press. I used to use a keyboard with scissor switches that I think just encouraged me to press the keys harder. I switched it out for a cheapo mech keyboard with MX brown switches and I think this helped a bit. - Remap common keys like control to other keys that can be easily hit with your thumbs. Currently I map control to left alt and backspace to right alt. Makes a difference for me but ymmv. Try not to hit so many keys with your pinky. For example, when I need to hit return, I make an effort to use my ring finger instead. - Got a lumbar support pad for my office chair and car seat. I have a lower back and hip pain. This helps with the sciatic nerve painI have had since college. - Use a very tall wrist rest. The cheap ones don't really elevate your wrists much, but find a quality one that provides an inch or more of lift. If you have a desk with a keyboard tray, lower it to comfortable position. - Lift weights. I spent a year in grad school lifting hard with a buddy three times a week. Did wonders for my back pain. I would love to find a new lifting partner and get back into it. What I'm considering (expensive solutions): - A standing desk. I'm seeing a lot of people in my office switch to these and I want one. - A split keyboard with lots of thumb keys. This is always on my mind now and I'm trying to decide between a kinesis and keyboard.io. |
As soon as I switched to this opposite side leader key, my emacs pinky went away.