GeekSugar

Daily Tech: See a US Gadget Recycling Plant In Action

GeekSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:40:06 -0700

Sims Recycling Solutions has 15 locations across the United States and recycles everything from cameras, printers, to computers. - Wired
Stroke patients are using video games to help their debilitated vision and the results have been phenomenal with some patients' receiving 90 percent of their vision back. - Switched
Check out some amazing gadget deals of the day including a refurbished HP Mini for $275. - Gizmodo
This video demonstration show you some great ways to help relieve carpal tunnel syndrome. - Boing Boing
According to environmental activists, Earth Hour proved to be a big success, with more than 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries participating. - Forecast Earth

Geek Tip: Fight Hand Cramps, Carpal Tunnel With These Exercises!

GeekSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:00:07 -0700

Although doctors say that mouse and computer use is not a severe occupational hazard for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, my hand cramps up somethin' fierce after working all day. To fight those cramps, discomfort, and hand boredom in general, do these quick hand exercises from eHand for mousing relief!

Sit or stand while doing the following exercises, and hold all stretches for a count of five!

Extend your hands.
Stretch both your wrists and fingers like you're doing a handstand.
Then, straighten your wrists and relax your fingers.
Make tight fists with both hands and bend them downward.
Straighten both your wrists and relax your fingers.
If you can stand up, shake out your arms and hands.
Remouse!

Source

Do Computers Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

GeekSugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:00:49 -0700

For years mothers and know-it-alls have insisted that computer use causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), so a bunch of doctors recently embarked on a one year follow up study to determine the prevalence and incidence of possible CTS and to evaluate the contribution of use of mouse devices and keyboards to one's risk.

From what we know, CTS occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist, resulting in severe pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study found that the occurrence of possible CTS in the right hand, which is usually the hand that controls your mouse, was low. The study emphasizes that computer use does not pose a severe occupational hazard for developing symptoms of CTS.

While I'm pleased to learn these findings, I can't deny the fact that my hands cramp up after hours at the keyboard and all the people I know who have suffered from CTS are writers or work at a computer all day. Do you think computer and mice use cause CTS, or do you think we do do enough strenuous work with our hands that CTS could be caused by virtually anything?

Moldable Mouse: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:00:41 -0800

I don't know if I would get any work done with this Moldable Mouse that Unplggd spotted. I totally see myself regressing into my 8-year-old self, mesmerized by Play-Doh. The mouse, which is just a concept for now, is made of modeling clay on the inside, with a nylon/polyurethane-blend fabric surrounding it. Not only would it be hours of distracting, creative fun, the Moldable Mouse is supposed to aid and prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I'm just not sure if I'm loving it though . . . this isn't the first ergonomic mouse on the market, but it does sound useful and yes, look fun. What do you think?

Daily Tech: BlackBerry Reveals Its Own "App Store"

GeekSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:01:41 -0700

RIM has just unveiled its own version of the Apple App Store and Google's Android Market with the BlackBerry Application Center. The Application Center will allow phone carriers to add their own applications to the store. - CrunchGear
Rumor has it that the newly designed MacBooks are still on target for their Oct. 14 announcement and official confirmation is expected in the next couple of days. - 9to5mac
Residents in France can now pick up a HTC Touch Diamond in one of seven colors including white, blue, brown, fuchsia, yellow, purple, or rose. - Gizmodo
Sony Ericsson has just announced the W350i, the Sex and the City edition media player, which comes with a memory stick that includes three movie wallpapers and the song "Labels or Love" by Fergie. - New Launches
The ergonomic Handshoe Mouse is perfect for preventing carpal tunnel syndrome and it's actually stylish, being available in white, clear, or black and in three different sizes. - Unplggd

Sore Thumb Help For CrackBerry Addicts

GeekSugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:08:29 -0700

When I got my first BlackBerry 8700, it took awhile for my right thumb to adjust to the constant scrolling and clicking. After months of use, my poor thumb was taking the brunt of its constant attachment to the scroll wheel. Thankfully the geniuses over at Crave have informed us that there's still hope!
According to My: Tech News, the New York spa Graceful Services is just one of many spas starting to offer BlackBerry finger massages. We know that typing causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the wrist, so do you think repeated BlackBerry use will cause a chronic thumb pain called the Gamer's Thumb Syndrome? Leave your comments below!

Geek Out: Ergonomic Mouse

GeekSugar — Fri, 04 May 2007 13:00:19 -0700

Anyone who spends more than 4 hours a day at the computer knows it's all too easy to cramp up your fingers and then to feel finger, hand and wrist pain. It's no wonder that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has been called a geek's worst nightmare.

For that reason, I've been on the hunt for a nice, ergonomic mouse that's both hand and eye friendly. My mom uses a simple mouse she bought with her laptop and is constantly bugging me about finding her a better option.

Let's all geek out and search the web for attractive, sleek ergonomic mice for my mom. Please tag your finds with "ergonomic mouse" then check back to geeksugar next week to see if I featured your Geek Gear!

To learn what Geek Gear is and how to bookmark on our site, click here.

To see some of my favorite online stores, read more

Amazon
Apple Store
Best Buy
eLuxury
Sony Style
Target
Think Geek

Trend: Computer Controlled By User's Eyes?

GeekSugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:06:46 -0700

Japanese professors have developed a system whereby PC users can input text simply by looking at an on-screen keyboard, according to a recent report from Trends in Japan.

When a user gazes at a character for one second, the system, which uses a miniature camera, detects her line of sight and inputs the appropriate character.

Called "Mitsumeru Dake" in Japanese, which means "Just Look," the inventors hope the system will be helpful to people with disabilities and for a range of medical and social-welfare applications. Clearly, the system will allow bedridden or disabled people to communicate their needs via "typing with their eyes."

It's great news for the disabled, but it kinda makes you wonder if neck and eye strain could be the new Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Smart Fabric Keyboard With Bluetooth - Save Your Digits

GeekSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:00:52 -0800

I always travel with my laptop and there's no doubt about it, my fingers get all cramped up if I work on the compact keyboard for too many hours. Lugging my external keyboard around isn't always an option, so I've been wondering about other options and a friend recently turned me on to Smart Fabric keyboards, which he claims are the only reason he doesn't have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

This one is made of a soft, durable and pressure-sensitive fabric and is powered by Bluetooth. It can be rolled up to the size of a TV remote. You can use it wirelessly with any Bluetooth-equipped device, such as a laptop, PDA or cell phone. For more information and a gallery, just read more

Includes nylon bag, phone stand and drivers on CD-ROM. Requires 2 AAA batteries.

View 7 Photos ›