[yyt88]

"Insane"? I type professionally too. On my laptop, in a myriad different settings. Sometimes in a coffee shop, sometimes on a quiet bench in a hallway, sometimes at home on my sofa, my kitchen table, and sometimes at my desk. I enjoy every minute of it and I'm having a blast. 11 years and counting.

If it doesn't work for you then it doesn't mean it won't for anybody else. It's surely not "insane".

[henrik_w]

I worked for 14 years, coding almost every day, before I started feeling pain in my arms. Took quite a while to get better. Not saying it will happen to you (people are different), but in my case I think the problems built up over years of working with poor ergonomics. My best advice is to take it seriously if you do start feeling any pain.

[nextlevelwizard]

All I read is: "I have been a professional carpenter for a decade and sharp knife is all I use. I use it for floors, chairs, tables, and all. If it doesn't work for you then don't use it"

Of course I can work with a tiny laptop screen and keyboard, but I choose to actually have a pleasurable experience when I work.

[manuelmoreale]

Maybe laptop and tiny screen is pleasurable to them? I’m currently on a big 4K monitor with external keyboard and all that and I’ll probably go back coding on a laptop because for some reason the more compact experience is a lot more enjoyable for me. We’re all different after all and that’s ok

[yyt88]

And you call those "insane" who don't agree.

[nextlevelwizard]

Yes. Of course not meaning actually mental illness, but their values feel so out of wack it doesn’t make sense

[Symbiote]

Your experience at age 30-ish might not be the same at 40-ish.

I don't know myself, as I've not reached 40, but I'll take the advice of those that have and use the appropriate tool in the recommended way.

[yyt88]

I'm mid-50, thanks for asking. I've had a military carreer before doing more desk type of work.

This was about keyboards, but sure, we can talk about screen real etate too. It can be great, but it can introduce more distractions too. Having a single laptop screen in front of you makes you focus on what matters most. Those chat and mail windows can stay hidden until I need them and opt to get distracted. Others may see that differently, and that's ok.

[ashbee]

Is it possible you've taken more from that single word than was intended?

GP said "insane to me". I understood this as a colloquial expression of disbelief or surprise rather than an actual accusation of insanity.

E.g. I might say it's insane to me that anyone likes Brussels sprouts. The state of mind of someone who could hold such a position is so alien to me as to be comparable to insanity.

[layer8]

11 years isn't that long. Serious problems started for me after about 20 years.