[Sigia-l] rsi (off topic)

[Juan Lanus]

All:

I want to comment on the "Off Topic" part of Peter's original posting.
Our work is to make systems that can be used with efficiency,  
effectiveness and satisfaction.
And it doen't say nothing about not destroying your hands IMHO because 
they give it for granted.
But the problem is there: many people are being hurt because they are 
using systems (HW + SW).
I am one, so in my designs I care about it.

Now, if somebody is damaged by using such a system and the future 
deserves only more damage that will lower their quality of life, what 
shall we do?
Do we have an explanation for them? Like an officer sending a soldier to 
a sure dead.

On the practical side, a comment:
One thing that can hurt is the type of movement that's needed to operate 
those "cascading menus".
This is not a case against cascading menus, that have been recently 
discussed here and in SIG-CHI. It's only a reference to the type of 
movement needed, similar to drag & drop and the like. Driving thw mouse 
with the button down over a narrow path. Try to do it rather 
self-consciously and you might notice that you hold the button down and 
the whole mouse with a grip somehow stronger than needed: this is for 
trouble.
If you perceive that such a movement can be difficult for a senior user 
then it's implied that it can be harmful for a junior, over time.

Many cities are implementing ramps for people who depend on wheel chairs 
to move around. When will be starting to consider those who are 
mouse-impaired?

Just a thought ...
--
Juan Lanus
TECNOSOL
Argentina