[senit] RSI and macs

Hi Catherine 

A few things may be useful and whilst a bracelet may have been helpful
in other cases it isn't something that is usually seen as a recommended
solution to RSI 

Mac OS X does have some voice recognition support built in as does
Windows Vista I would suggest trying both 

A few other things to consider carefully are you a touch typist and if
so do you use the full range of keyboard shortcuts to reduce mouse use 

Have a look at a website we designed for the BBC -
www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility there is a self help guide here to adjusting
both PC's and Macs to meet your needs.

Also make sure you are taking breaks in using your computer stretch and
flex about every 45 minutes to be on the safe side 

As far as a mac running windows its probably not a natural solution - if
you want to run the PC version of Dragon I would suggest doing so on a
PC - the applications are resource hungry and it would be slightly odd
to upgrade to a powerful mac only to degrade it by running windows etc
in emulation. PC dual core processors with 2gb ram will offer you a
powerful machine to run your apps and dragon if that's the solution that
meets your needs

I suppose the final issue is have you been assessed to find a suitable
solution to the painful condition - if you have to use a computer to do
your job I would strongly recommend asking your employer to fund an
assessment to find a system solution to your needs. 

Hope this helps - as its slightly off topic for an broadly educational
list please feel free to contact me off list if that helps 

David Banes
Acting Chief Executive
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-----Original Message-----
From: senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Vanessa Lees
Sent: 20 May 2007 16:22
To: senit at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: RE: [senit] RSI and macs

Catherine,

I had a very similar problem and I attributed it to years of using the
mouse on my PC. It was, I believe RSI, although I didn't actually have
it diagnosed by my doctor. I started wearing a Bioflow magnetic bracelet
and after a month or so, I found that the problem had gone and I was
able to use the mouse and keyboard without pain. I have a friend who
also had RSI which he attributed to typing text messages on his phone.
He started wearing a Bioflow and he too found that the pain stopped. 

Best wishes,

Vanessa
---
Magnotherapy for people & animals - natural pain relief
http://www.magnets4life.com

http://www.lecomputer.co.uk

-----Original Message-----
From: senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Catherine Hunt
Sent: 20 May 2007 15:47
To: Senit
Subject: [senit] RSI and macs

Hello - This is a query for myself, rather than for a pupil.

I have very bad repetitive strain injury, mainly in my right hand. I use
a tracker ball mouse (with my left hand), and up to now this has been
fine - I've had no pain in the left hand, as long as I take breaks, and
work at an ergonomically set-up desk.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have had very bad RSI in my left hand,
as well as my right, and I am  worried that I may have to start using
PCs, rather than Macs. In the past I have used Via Voice for Mac, as
voice recognition software. I found it very difficult to use, and
abandoned it. I'm now thinking that I need to find something else. As
far as I know, the only best voice recognition software is Dragon
Naturally Speaking, but there is no Mac version.

I think a solution to my problem may be to buy a new Mac, which will run
Windows, and then install Dragon on it. As this is a very expensive
option, I would welcome feedback.

Is Dragon as good as they say it is? Will it work on a Mac with Windows?
Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Best wishes
Catherine

Catherine Hunt
Manor Green Primary School
Crawley
West Sussex

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