Yep. So I've been working for about fifteen years, had it from the start, but it just keep on getting worse. So now have migrated to a no keyboard solution, and am working on a no mouse solution.
My setup, software:
- talon (https://talonvoice.com/), basing my configuration on the standard repo (https://github.com/knausj85/knausj_talon/), with some minor modifications. This is how I navigate my whole computer, and runs the voice recognition and eye tracking. This is how I'm typing this right now. There are also a bunch of other little system changes that you need to make (eg, on macOS, disable double space to type a period), which is documented by the community with varying levels of success.
- cursorless (https://www.cursorless.org/), and then vscode. Before this I used Sublime Text for years and years, but cursorless is too good for coding. I know there are some projects on going to port it to different editors, but I haven't massively looked into it.
- vimium extension for web browsing (works in both chrome and firefox). This makes things like clicking links easier with your voice, without having too use an eye tracker all the time.
And then hardware:
- DPA 4488 microphone -> DAD6001 microdot-XLR converter -> Shure X2U USB XLR interface. ~£800. It's a very expensive microphone, but it's what the developer of talon uses (same brand anyway), and since I'm using this for work I want to remove every obstacle to having my voice recognised correctly and quickly
- Tobii Eye Tracker 5. ~£250. This is basically the only game in town. It works well enough but needs a lot of light. It also needs to be physically mounted to a monitor. In theory this means I don't need to use a mouse, but because I have a 34" ultrawide it doesn't work well on the edges, so I have a specific window size and location configured (say "layout mouse") which I could move apps into if I need to.
- At some point soon I want to replace the X2U with something higher quality and more permanent on my desk. Soon!
Got any tips for a 30 year old who wants to prevent needing all this in the future? Wrist strength is something I never think about, but I'm sure it could sneak up on me one day.
The issue isn't a lack of strength if your wrists, it's over-use of of your wrist.
All you can really do is read up on ergonomics and make sure your setup follows best practices - ones backed by actual research. As SCdF said, take frequent breaks. Pay attention to your wrist and hands when they feel sore.
A couple of things that have worked for me:
1. Switch using your mouse to your non-dominant hand throughout the day. It sucks at first but you will get good pretty quick
2. Use the mouse as little as possible. For web browsing specifically there are good browser plugins that make keyboard nav pretty easy
3. I had a lot of success using an Xbox controller plugged into a computer as a mouse. One joystick to move the cursor, one for scrolling, buttons to emulate mouse clicks. This was good for something like web browsing where I wasn't typing a lot. Or reading documents. It felt a lot more ergonomic than a mouse, kept my wrists at a better angle, and for the most part only used my thumbs and not my wrist.
Truthfully if I knew that I wouldn't be in this position. I imagine it's probably pretty genetic.
Things that help me the most though, is taking frequent breaks, getting enough sleep, and getting enough cardio. Weight lifting I think also helps as well, though I'm not sure on that.
My setup, software:
- talon (https://talonvoice.com/), basing my configuration on the standard repo (https://github.com/knausj85/knausj_talon/), with some minor modifications. This is how I navigate my whole computer, and runs the voice recognition and eye tracking. This is how I'm typing this right now. There are also a bunch of other little system changes that you need to make (eg, on macOS, disable double space to type a period), which is documented by the community with varying levels of success.
- cursorless (https://www.cursorless.org/), and then vscode. Before this I used Sublime Text for years and years, but cursorless is too good for coding. I know there are some projects on going to port it to different editors, but I haven't massively looked into it.
- vimium extension for web browsing (works in both chrome and firefox). This makes things like clicking links easier with your voice, without having too use an eye tracker all the time.
And then hardware:
- DPA 4488 microphone -> DAD6001 microdot-XLR converter -> Shure X2U USB XLR interface. ~£800. It's a very expensive microphone, but it's what the developer of talon uses (same brand anyway), and since I'm using this for work I want to remove every obstacle to having my voice recognised correctly and quickly
- Tobii Eye Tracker 5. ~£250. This is basically the only game in town. It works well enough but needs a lot of light. It also needs to be physically mounted to a monitor. In theory this means I don't need to use a mouse, but because I have a 34" ultrawide it doesn't work well on the edges, so I have a specific window size and location configured (say "layout mouse") which I could move apps into if I need to.
- At some point soon I want to replace the X2U with something higher quality and more permanent on my desk. Soon!