Geeks2U | August Newsletter

For those of us who use computers daily there is one area that often gets overlooked. That is ergonomics.

If you aren’t familiar with the term, ergonomics refers to workstation set-up, design, and body posture, in order to prevent computer-related injuries. By overlooking this area of computing you risk injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, sore wrists, neck pain, and even lower back injury.

Luckily paying attention to ergonomics isn’t difficult at all. In fact, by simply taking a few steps you’ll ensure that your time spent at the PC is enjoyable and injury free.

1. Your Office Chair – The chair you use, especially if you sit at the PC for hours at a time, is very important. A good office chair will support your back in such a way that that it keeps you sitting upright and comfortable.
2. Monitor Positioning – Your computer monitor should be positioned in front of you so that you look directly at it. Looking at a monitor off to the side, or down too low, will put your neck in an unnatural position and can lead to neck pain and headaches.
3. The Mouse Matters – The computer mouse is one item that needs special attention. The mouse you choose should fit the contour of your hand and allow you to comfortably keep your fingers on the buttons. A mouse that is too small, or too large, can lead to repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
4. Keyboard Usage – Although you don’t necessarily need an ergonomic keyboard, you do need to pay attention to how you type. Your wrists should be kept straight while you type (slightly over the keyboard) and not resting on the keyboard itself. You should also keep your keyboard high enough to be able to bend your elbows at about 90 degrees.

With these four simple steps you can greatly reduce the chances that you’ll be injured when you have to sit at the PC for long periods of time. Ergonomics really do matter, and now you have a simple way to ensure you don’t overlook this area of computer safety.

Most of us may think of carpal tunnel syndrome as a sickness of the modern day. We associate the problem with things like poor computing habits, repetitive factory work, or strain from repetitive office work.

It’s a syndrome of the modern times, but could it have also been there throughout time?

It may surprise you to know that carpal tunnel isn’t just an issue of today. In fact, even before computers or 8-hour-a-day office jobs were around there is a recorded case of carpal tunnel.

In 1863, Lucius E. Chittenden, of the U.S. Treasury, signed 12,500 bonds for immediate shipment to England by hand. For the rest of his life, until he died almost 40 years later in 1900, he suffered from severe arm and wrist pain. The irony of Treasurer Chittenden’s problems carpal tunnel syndrome is that not even one of those bonds was ever used.

With stories like that, it’s no wonder that the governments of today use computers to digitally sign all of their important documents!

Logitech Mouse: MX REVOLUTION

This month we have a gadget that every computer user needs. It's both ergonomically safe and highly accurate. If you haven't guessed yet, we're referring to the Logitech MX Revolution mouse.

This laser mouse includes features like hyper-fast scrolling, document quick flipping, and a performance laser engine for absolute precision.

The MX Revolution is a cordless USB mouse with rechargeable lithium ion batteries. In other words, when you're done, dock it, and it'll be charged for the next time you're at the PC.

The list of features that this mouse includes is almost too long to list. If you've been looking for a more comfortable mouse, that's actually worth the money you pay for it, we do suggest you check out the MX Revolution from Logitech.

For more information see Logitech's web site or enquire directly to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Gadget Price: $175

Paul has recently joined the Geeks2U technician team in Sydney. He has been living and breathing tech for the past 12 years and loves a good challenge.

His first role was as an electronics technician repairing a broad range of hand held wireless electronic devices. This then lead to work as a wireless network engineer designing, maintaining and ensuring the security of some of Australia's largest enterprise scale Wi-Fi networks in industrial and manufacturing environments.

Paul has most recently worked as a computer forensic analyst with NSW Police where he developed diverse experience in forensic examinations involving the identification, preservation and analysis of electronic evidence for presentation in legal proceedings. He has specialist training in the analysis of a wide range of devices including computers, CCTV systems, mobile phones, GPS and other storage and handheld electronic devices and is recognized in Australian courts as an expert in the field of computer forensics.

Although he enjoys the technical side of life, Paul also loves helping people and gets a kick every day out of making a difference in peoples lives as a Geeks2U technician.