Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Latest in Computer Workstations


My jury is still out on this one, although I do think it rather cool. It looks open enough to eliminate complaints about claustrophobia, but I’m not sure how easy it would be for old creaky bones to get in and out.




The Clipper is a “virtual office”, a completely self-contained and enclosed ‘capsule’, 4’ wide, 7’ long, and 4.5’ high, designed specially for concentrated (and ergonomically correct) computer use.

This computer workstation provides perfect seating, viewing, lighting and air supply, as well as the option of total privacy.

Being inside is much like sitting in the cockpit of a small plane...with everything you need within easy reach.

As well as providing correct ergonomics, it allows a person to have a separate workplace without having a separate room.

The Clipper is shown at right with the side components removed. One can now see the unique seat arrangement.Once the footrest is correctly adjusted to the user the seat glides forward and tilts to the rear at the same time. As you tilt back a plunger is activated and keeps the seat from rolling to the rear which means that the body can totally relax, supported with chair and footrest.

Until now, the two elements which make up the computer-workstation, the seat, and the computer support surface, have been designed independently. Normally these two elements are seen as separate problems in the office, but not so in the automobile, the airplane cockpit or the space shuttle, where sustained performance is critical.

Source

VISUAL DISORDERS

The problem

The computer can work to put the extraordinary muscles of the eyes to a considerable effort:
If the contrasts between light text on the screen, on a document and the symbols of the keyboard is too high may be up to 25,000 movements a day to adapt to light.
If you set your eyes on objects very close long as a screen. The muscles of the eyes are at rest if distant objects observed more than 6 meters.
If monitors and documents to be read are not placed at about the same distance, the eye muscles are forced to a continuous change of focus.

See a doctor regularly, particularly after 45 years.

Symptoms
Burning
Wink frequent
Lacrimation
Dry
Fatigue reading
Obscure vision
Vision split
Discomfort in the light
Headache

Futuristic Custom Desk


Look at this desk and tell me you don’t think of banging on those pads like Larry Mullen of U2. Well, budding skin-banger, this is not for that purpose. The Vision One Computer Desk is for working or gaming.

It has a luxurious, adjustable leather seat and comes in original, flagship and corner variations and is available in a range of colors including red, orange and blue.

It took the designers three years to bring this video game-style station to the market.

“The Vision One Computer Workstation is the ultimate home entertainment computer desk,” the company says. “The V1 computer desk can be used as a computer gaming chair, flight simulator, racing simulator, cad workstation, video editing workstation, sound editing workstation, personal movie theater, surround sound music environment and more.”

They are hand-made in the USA and it has guy thang all over it.
Source

THE SEAT


Antirabaltamento stable base and a 5-spoke
Floor of the adjustable seat height
Adjustable backrest height and tilt
Commands manageable and accessible in a seated position
To ensure the comfort
5.1 Plan of the seat and back sections well
5.2 thick, semi-rigid foam
5.3 breathable coating

THE MONITOR


Contrast and brightness adjustable
Images stable
Defined and legible characters
Easily adjustable

Ergonomics and computers

Here is the second article appealing.
this time it comes to tips on using the computer. The original article is the English website of the University of Texas is the translation of Rosanna Calvanese DO
At this address you will find a nice computer that offers the shares for a perfect seat to the computer according to your height:
General guidelines on ergonomics.
The information should not be considered medical advice. If you suffer from disc or otherwise, consult a osteopath. This information should be considered only simple tips for maintaining a correct posture and position. Do what we think is right for our body and learn to listen: if we create something disturbance, avoid making that gesture.
Head / neck
- Keep your head in the middle of the shoulders
- Maintain shoulders relaxed
- The monitor should be centered in front of the head
- The monitor should be at a distance and height
- Do not bend your neck to one side or another
Eyes
To avoid disturbances:
- Close your eyes often (every 5 seconds at least)
- Distract your eyes every 20min and maintain the object at a distance of 15 cm approx
- The glasses must be clean and appropriate lens to the screen

Monitor
- Distance Monitor 65-70 cm (the length of his arm)
- Adapted to the screen
- Neither the monitor nor the person should face a window
- The monitor should be adjusted at an angle from the window or well positioned between the light rather than too much in them
- The eyes should be at the height of the top of the monitor or just below it

Handcrafts
If you often need a different document, use of collectors and keep them near the monitor, at the same height and distance from the eyes and the monitor.

Hands and wrists
- Keep your hands and wrists relaxed and standing
- Avoid compressing the wrist or something that will put string
- Work in a neutral position
- Use a good halogen lamp if possible
- When moving the mouse, use the entire arm rather than a single party

Keyboard
- Must be able to work comfortably with your elbows close to sides
- Forearms should be drawn up and 90 degrees around
- Use a wrist rests can be problematic and thus avoid the wrists while you type
- Do not use arm rests while you write so as not to increase stress to the ligaments and tendons
- The keyboard should remain flat or slightly raised
- Mouse

Mouse
- Locate and use the mouse close to us (near the keyboard)
- Maintain the wrists relaxed but rights
- Use the whole arm to move

Back
- Try to maintain the natural S curve of the column (use a special support)
- Sit near the desk with his back resting well
- Change position frequently to avoid fatigue

Chair
An adjustable chair is essential. Owning an ergonomic chair is important for those who use the computer much. But what must be an ergonomic chair?
- Have 5-pin
- Height adjustable
- Meeting of 40-45 cm deep (deeper people for larger, or closer to the lean
- The user must sit with his back resting well, with our feet firmly placed on land
- The back should be rounded and a gentle slope to prevent circulatory problems
- The backrest should support the lumbar area and should be adjustable to maintain the natural physiological s back. A natural sense we will maintain good posture and also bent at an angle of 90 degrees from the leg
- Armrests are optional but they must also be adjustable. If they do not allow us to stay close to the desk, we will have to remove them. Do not keep your arms supported and write

Work Plan
Try to have a free space. Keep the tools most commonly used neighborhood. The plan shall be steady in a room adequate and clean. Must be large as a normal desktop. The correct height will depend on several factors, including whether it is used to write on paper or on monitor.
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Accommodation for the legs
The space must allow pearls knees to change positions frequently, to reduce problems of fatigue. The space should be 75 cm wide, 50 deep and 70 in height according to the requirements for disabled people from the U.S. regulation. If the workstation you share the space for the legs must be greater than the weight of the thigh and knee of colic using the place. For those using the stool for the legs, the space should be calculated directly on the spot.

Stool
I should be used two different circumstances: when the foot of the person does not rely on the floor, when sitting at work, or when seated with your back supported, affected the movement of the legs. In the second case, the stool near the back legs, helping the movement.

Exercises during breaks
- Relax on the eyes: watch the screen for a long time, because changes on the way to focus the eyes, accustomed to close the eyelids less often, and so exposing the eyes to dry. Every 15-20 min. we must look elsewhere, and to set an object at least 60 cm away. Close your eyes for a few seconds: this helps spare the lacrimal eyes and free from dust.
- Mini breaks: writing often stops there, and when this happens rest your hands, and stretched back and arms. Make a mini strecht, alzandoci, moving, doing something else, such as telephone. This, although not a real break, allows you to stop using only a few muscles.
- Relax: 30 every 60 min. make a real break, during which move and relax. Drink and remarry the areas of the body more tired.
Here are some exercises to relieve stress and increase relaxation
- Close before and then open the fingers of the hand, helping each other.
- Stretching his arms in front of us, raise and lower the hand as to say, but slowly. Then rotate your hands 10 times with the palm open, like to bring something from outside inward, for a few seconds and repeat.
For the back shoulders and arms:
- While you are seated, longer arms and shoulders, as if you wanted to get something up. Keeping your arms above your head, moving the fingers of both hands. Then tilt the spine on one side and the other.
- While you are seated, decrease the tension of the neck and shoulders by rotating your head slowly from side to side, or tilting the front and back as much as possible.

THE GOOD LIGHTING

Shielding windows with curtains suitable for the work to a PC or VDT
If necessary, shield the lights or reducing the intensity
Observe the monitor and lets them off the sources of reflections
Tilt your monitor to reduce glare
Reduce the overall brightness to eliminate the excessive contrasts of light
Though the reflections of lights, switch off and use a table lamp


THE SEAT
Adjusted so as to bring the seat at the table
Forearms supported the work plan
Wrists in line with the forearms and not bent either upwards or downwards
Trunk between 90 and 110 ° and the backrest that supports the good lumbar curve
Angles of the elbows, hips and legs greater than 90 °
Feet firmly placed on the ground or, if necessary, at the foot wide
Not contracted shoulders when your arms are supported or typing on the armrests


DESKTOP, KEYBOARD AND MOUSE
Adjust the height of the table if possible so you can type with your forearms parallel to the work plan
If the table is fixed to bring the seat and adjust the height
Shoulders relaxed as you type
Wrists in line with forearms
Mouse as close as possible to the body
Keyboard and mouse positions in order to support the forearms on the work plan.


MONITOR

Light sources and internal or external face, nor behind the operator
Ahead of it to avoid twisting of neck and back
Distance from the eyes, the more possible as long as you read the characters clearly
Top edge of the monitor at eye level
Varying the slope according to the needs
Possible portadocumenti at the same distance and angle
The monitor should not necessarily rely on the computer, preferably a solid support orientable in space
Adjust contrast, brightness and font size
Those who use bifocal lenses, try to position the monitor lower to avoid tension in the neck

Ergonomics and computers

In everyday use of computers tends to neglect of ergonomics. To help prevent the effects of bad posture habits, give some simple tips.

The activity at the computer that plays as a hobby, just because it linked to a dimension of strong interest and play, often leads us to exaggerate the timing and expected results, as well as space requirements and compatibility with the furniture can lead us to underestimate the importance of proper ergonomics at dedicated to the personal computer.

It 'worth remembering that a prolonged for many hours in front of the monitor to a PC, requiring a static position, with a close visual problems can sometimes lead to visual fatigue, and contribute to the critical upper limbs, back and as the neck muscles and an increase in stiffness. It 'still enough to take simple steps in the provision of location and follow appropriate behavior so that the time spent at the computer is not a source of stress and fatigue.
The working plan and hardware

Proper disposal of hardware on the desktop is the first factor of prevention, it is essential that the keyboard is placed at a distance as to ensure the support of the forearms on the work plan and that the distance between the eyes and the monitor is between 50 to 70 cm. E 'should avoid the use of computer tables with floor to pull the keyboard if this does not allow the support of the forearms, so as not to unnecessarily fatigue the muscles of the neck.
The desk must be stable and high, fixed or adjustable, usually between 70 and 80 cm, with an area sufficient to ensure a comfortable position and freedom of movement of the legs, preferably have an area of light color and in any case non-reflective for prevent possible reflections.

When purchasing a monitor verified the presence of the CE marking which guarantees the respect of the limits of the law regarding the issue of electromagnetic fields. Consistent with your resources do not try to save the quality of the monitor and graphics card, your eyes will thank you.

If your choice is directed to an LCD monitor, rather than pay attention to the dimensions in the presence of entry DVI which, combined with a graphics card equipped with digital output, you the connection more stable and with better visual quality.
Essential characteristics: good definition and contrast, brightness, image stability, absence of flicker, contrast and brightness adjustable, swivel base and tilt freely.

For keyboards and dissociated by tilting the screen to allow you to take a comfortable position, not tiring for the hands and arms. Place the mouse next to keyboard, so you can move without hindrance and so relaxed.

The seat must be stable, anti, to allow a certain freedom of movement, preferably swivel with adjustable height, adjustable back height and tilt and good lumbar support for a comfortable position. If despite the adjustment of the seat are unable to support your feet on the floor is good to use a footrest.
The correct position

To prevent disturbances in the back and the neck is important to take a correct position when you remain seated for a long time at your computer. First, the back of the chair should be adjusted in vertical position, seeking the most comfortable position for the lumbar support and it must also adjust the height of the seat so that you can support the entire plant of the feet to the floor in a natural way. If this is not possible you may have recourse to the specific footrest.

The position which takes in front of the monitor has importance for the prevention, for this is to avoid positions to 45 degrees that require twisting the neck unnatural, and a front position with the eye line to the upper frame of the display is the less tiring.

Typing and use the mouse must be so loose without rigidity of the fingers and wrist, with the forearms on the desk always supported so as not to overload the muscles of the neck and shoulders. Where possible you should try to avoid fixed postures for long time too, in these cases it is useful to remember to change each time the position, get up and move from location to relax the muscles. Very useful, if applied consistently, are the stretching exercises specific to your neck, back, arms and legs.
How the monitor

To avoid visual fatigue oriented than the location of windows in the room to avoid reflections on the screen, glare and excessive brightness contrast, if necessary act on tends to reduce the intensity of light.

With artificial lighting verified that the lamps are placed outside the visual field, to avoid glare, reflections on the screen, excessive contrasts. The conditions for greater visual comfort is achieved with illumination not excessive. Oriented and tilted the screen to eliminate, as far as possible, reflected on its surface residues.

Take a position in front of the video so that the eye-screen distance is between 50-70 cm. If you often perform the work of copying, or copying is useful to have a document holder at the same height and distance of the screen, to minimize movements of the head and focus.

Periodically divert our gaze from the video and see distant objects to reduce visual fatigue. Adjust if necessary contrast and brightness and periodically clean the screen.
During breaks, you should not engage in activities that require a close visual effort, such as reading a newspaper.
The software

To avoid possible stress disorder software used within your reach, that are easy to use; Give the time to acquire the necessary skills and abilities, and in case of anomalies of software and hardware or inability to manage a technical factor, contact those who have more experience in solving the problem, always enter breaks in long sessions.

The problem




Our body is built to have periods of activity alternating with periods of rest. Working on the computer long submit certain muscles and joints in fixed postures while the muscles of the hands and arms move incessantly.

These muscles prevent the normal flow of blood to the biological tissues (muscles, tendons, nerves, intervertebral discs). The cells do not receive oxygen and nutrients adequately and fail to dispose of waste substances: over time this can cause the first micro-injury, then more lesions with pain, inflammation of tendons, nerve compression and in some cases long periods disability.

Some physical dysfunction - diabetes, overweight, arthritis, hypertension, smoking and pregnancy - and extra-work activities and hobbies, increase the risk of these disorders - tendinitis, tenosynovitis (inflammation of the sheaths of the nerves) and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Proper work habits and practice regular physical exercises are the best form of prevention.

If pain is persistent, consult a specialist, physiotherapist or medical physiatrist.

Symptoms
Tendinitis.
Pain in the joints of the arm or hand during the movement
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Soreness, numbness, tingling in the hands, loss of strength and loss of the Hand
Cervical Osteoarthritis
Heaviness, soreness, discomfort, sense of weight, pain in the neck and arms

Some disturbances in body tissues such as muscles


Some disturbances in body tissues such as muscles, tendons and nerves of the hands and arms, such as tendinitis, tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as RSI (Repetitive Strain Injuries) or CTD (Cumulative Trauma Disorders), affecting in particular people like packers , assigned to the conveyor assembly, musicians, tennis players etc. ... who strive to always along the same muscles.

Today, with the increasing use of computers and intense to work, learn, communicate and play, these disturbances, together with the oculo-visual and a pain in the neck, shoulders and back, are also spreading quickly among users of computer.

The main risk factors are to be found in:
a lack of knowledge and application of ergonomic principles
a lack of information and awareness of the dangers
incorrect choice or poor provision of equipment
by incorrect sitting postures or maintained for too long
rapid, repetitive movements of hands and fingers for extended periods of work
absence of breaks in work.

To prevent the DFC, in summary:
Learn about the causes that contribute to the DFC
Choose equipment and ergonomic regolale very carefully
Relieves muscle tension, with frequent exercises and physical micropause
Change is often good sitting, get up frequently and vary the type of activity

What are the most frequent DFC?:

The physical computer is not more popular than skeletal muscle. According to NIOSH (National Institute of Safety and Health at Work), the main cause of high levels of fatigue, errors in work and of working days lost is the visual fatigue. Studies of NIOSH noted that if work on the computer more than 3 hours a day, you can be among the 88 percent of those who suffer from visual disturbances.