Common Computer Workstation Mistakes and Solutions For Pain Relief - Part 2

Do you spend long hours at your computer? If you are experiencing pain in your upper limbs (hand, wrist, neck, back or shoulder) check out your computer workstation design. Following are four computer workstation design challenges and solutions.

Monitor Positioned Incorrect With Respect to Overhead Light and Window:

If the computer user is facing the window (or if the outside light is shining directly on the monitor) office glare may be a factor. If long fluorescent light bulbs overhead are perpendicular to the direction you are facing it can reflect in your eyes. The eyes constantly refocus throughout the day and the added glare from these two light sources can increase the risk of eyestrain.

Solution: If you have long fluorescent light bulbs overhead try to face in the same direction as the length of the bulbs so the light will reflect off the side of your body instead of in your eyes. Place your monitor perpendicular to the window so the outside light will reflect off the side of your body. Due to the design of your office you may not be able to place your monitor correctly for each of these lighting sources. You may try closing or facing the blinds upwards to reduce the outside light.

Desk Is Too Narrow for Monitor and keyboard

If the desk is too narrow the monitor will be too close to the eyes in most instances. The uncomfortable feeling in the eyes will be immediately obvious and this will cause the computer user to move back to view the monitor comfortably. This will cause a reach to the keyboard and mouse with a great potential of creating discomfort in the shoulders.

Solution: The simple solution is to replace your large monitor with a flat panel. You will love it. Flat panels have really come down in price. Or purchase a desk that is deep enough to hold the monitor and keyboard AND allow you to work close to the keyboard without reaching and a comfortable distance from the monitor. The flat panel is probably the most economical and will create more peaceful aesthetics.

Keyboard and Mouse Too High Or Low:

This can create improper typing and mousing posture - either raising the shoulders creating tensed muscles or tilting neck down and creating bent wrists. Usually the keyboard is too high due to non-adjustable desks at standard manufacturing heights of 29".

Solution: Raise or lower the work surface so that the shoulders are in a relaxed position. This can be done with an articulating arm/tray or an adjustable height desk. When the elbows are bent they should be slightly higher than the top of the keys on your keyboard. Keep wrists straight when typing and do not rest on pads while typing.

Mouse at a Different Level than Keyboard:

This can create an awkward reach to the mouse. The arms should be close to the body when mousing with the elbows bent 90 - 120 degrees. Do not straighten your arm when mousing because it can cause fatigue and discomfort to the shoulder blade area.

Solution: Place the mouse directly next to the keyboard preferably with no break between the keyboard and mouse. Be sure that your shoulders are in a relaxed position.

Copyright 2006 Wendy Young

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Audio Production Software

Audio production software allows one to create and mix music, podcasts, voices or diction. Music production can also be in the form of MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) or audio recordings. MIDI recording is done through playing of music synthesizer or drum pads or whichever other suitable instrument that is connected to the computer through the MIDI interface. Audio recording is done through connecting a microphone or mixing board to a computer's sound card. The audio production software tools make the process of producing tracks much easier and the outcome is of much better quality.

Steinberg Cubase 5 is the newest generation of Cubase that's got more power and flexibility than the previous versions. Some of its features include MIDI/compositional tools i.e. Key Editor which is a transparent tool that in development of melodies, chords and performances and ensures that generated ideas are developed to their full potential. Score Editor is a notional environment that enables one to view music in form of musical scores.

Another feature is the next-generation audio engine that delivers clear 32-bit floating-point resolution and 96 kHz rate for optimal sound quality. Control Room is another feature of Cubase 5 which is a recording and monitoring environment that is integrated with performance mixes into the recording and mixing workflow.

Behringer energyXT Plus audio production software has incorporated technology to expand ReWire compatible devices with audio recording and VST instruments as well as effects. It has flexible audio and MIDI routing of ReWire instruments, it supports multi-channel audio and gives a chance for synchronizing playback or using fully-fledged sequencers inside the energy XT2.5 Plus which is the latest version. This software is mostly used for digital recording of musical ideas into MP3. It allows one to record vocals to the computer using an usb interface then the ability to copy, paste, edit, add effects and mix the tracks according to ones wish.

Cakewalk audio production software is used for both MIDI and audio recording. This software has specialized customized features called key bindings that allow a Cakewalk function to be assigned a key on either the MIDI controller or computer keystroke. Thus it's possible to perform note and pedal combinations to record and playback without having to physically move as the MIDI controller is some distance from the computer keyboard.

PreSonus Studio One Pro audio production software uses the Mac operating system and Windows XP/Vista to make audio recording and MIDI sequencing. Some of the features of this software include 64-bit audio engine, PreSonus native effects and 64-bit plug-in library. It also has 26 dynamic processors, sound modulation devices, amp simulators and reverbs.

Ableton Live audio production software provides an intuitive interface for songwriting, recording, remixing and DJing. Its features include 32-bit of quality recording, creative MIDI sequencing, 20 built-in audio effects, filters and studio compressors. It offers 2 software instruments Simpler for the creative and sample-based synthesis and Impulse for the dynamic sampled drums. DJing and remixing is made possible by use of MIDI-maps where one chooses from a list of popular supported controllers for instant mapping.

Computer Education For Kids

computers have become a common and needed part of life in today’s society, making computer education imperative for children. Young children will typically begin to show an interest in the home PC by their toddler years. While it is may be a good idea to begin introducing your toddler to the computer in very short sessions, most children can began to learn and understand a computer’s functionality by preschool age.

Preschool age children can learn to turn the computer on by themselves and will quickly learn to operate the mouse. Simple games that teach and reinforce basic school readiness skills are great for this age. Computer education for preschool age children should be limited to short sessions of about 30 minutes a few times a week.

Many childcare facilities offer computer time as part of their weekly curriculum for preschoolers. Structured games and activities give young children an opportunity to explore the way a computer works. Games that require dragging objects across the screen are excellent for building mouse skills in beginner users. Chose age-appropriate software and websites that involve alphabet and color recognition, shapes, counting, or short stories that are read aloud. Activities that feature music are also enjoyable for a preschooler’s computer time.

Kindergartners are normally still exploring the basics of computer use and will probably do best with activities that reinforce simple skills. As children become more comfortable with the computer, more complex games and activities can be introduced. Computer education for kindergartners typically consists of short sessions of no more than an hour, playing games that correlate with their classroom learning material.

By first grade, children have usually gained a good understanding of how to use a mouse and they are learning to use keyboard letters to type. Games like Typing Instructor for Kids can help young children become fast and efficient computer users. Early elementary age children are ready to move beyond simple reinforcement and skill drill activities to the many different functions of a computer.

First through third graders should use the computer as a supplement for their classroom work. A student studying about stars and planets can use the internet to search for pictures and information about constellations. An assignment about Africa can include a search for videos of African animals. Allow your child to work on his own, but stay close by to prevent access to inappropriate content and to answer any questions.

Software programs that allow children to create, like an art or publishing suite designed specifically for kids, can boost creativity along with providing exposure to technology. Grade level skills can also be practiced and enhanced with math, reading, and spelling computer games. There are a number of kid-friendly websites that provide search engines, games, and interaction opportunities.

Computer education for children should also include writing and creative writing activities. First graders are beginning to familiarize themselves with the keyboard and can write short letters or emails. By second and third grade, children can use word processor programs or writing software designed for children to write and publish their own short stories and poems, as well as use email to write to relatives.

Autistic Child

Autism is a peculiar disorder that affects children. It makes an impact on part of the brain. Autism lets itself visible in children around the age of three. Children affected by autism lags in inter-personal communication aspects and social behavior skills. According to some sources, autism is widely prevalent now. They estimate that an average two out of 300 people today are affected by this disease. The disease can manifest itself in many ways. In fact, there are many types of socio-psychological diseases that can be included in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). There are contrasting theories regarding the causes of autism. A majority view is that it is a brain developmental disorder transmitted and caused genetically. But there is another view that the disease is caused by birth defects. Both the theories are yet to be proved conclusively. Although there are no preventive or remedial medicines available now, we can improve the behavioral and communication aspects of autistic children by understanding the symptoms of the disease and helping them to come through the ordeal.

Generally, autistic children do not show signs of talking at the normal age when children start speaking. If the disease is severe, they do not talk at all and even fail to look at other people. They do not respond to touching or cuddling. Sometimes, such children appear unaware of the presence of others, even the presence of children of similar age. A common symptom of autism is the lack of response of a child when somebody calls his or her name. Such children find it hard to learn new words or new skills. Even if one manages to teach them some new words, they tend to forget the words quickly. Also, sometimes they tend to speak something that is entirely out of context.

Autistic children are said to think in pictorial terms. They respond to images better. Some of them may be good in drawing even though their handwriting may be poor. So people attending to the needs of such children should encourage them to communicate using pictures. Exchanging pictures for actual items and drawing the pictures of household accessories are good exercises for helping to improve the condition of the children affected by the disease. Also they tend to do better with the computer computer keyboard">keyboard than with then pen, although the computer mouse is a hurdle for them to operate computers effectively. Also, children affected by autism are able to do only one task at a time. Take the case of typing with a computer. Most of the affected children find it hard to look at the computer keyboard">keyboard and monitor simultaneously. Also when watching television, they either listen to the sounds or concentrate on viewing the visuals. Occasionally, such children can be very bright and exhibit rare gifts in some aspects like drawing.

How to Clean Computer Keyboard - Fast and Easy

Yuck your computer keyboard">keyboard is dirty! Nasty dirty. Maybe you've gone a little too long without cleaning it and found that some of the keys are starting to stick. Cleaning your computer keyboard">keyboard can be done in a jiff, or it can take a good hour; It really depends on your computer keyboard">keyboards level of "disgusting".

I've set out a step by step routine; you can carry out the first 3 steps to maintain computer keyboard">keyboard cleanliness or just to spiff it up. Otherwise you can go all the way and really do a thorough job with steps 3-8.

1.    Remove the connection from the back of your computer

Just as precaution, you don't want to be sending involuntary commands to the computer and accidently send your boss those questionable vacation photos; or do you?

2.    Turn your keyboard and give it a shake

All the dry crud and bits will be fall right out, now you just need to dust off the desk; after you done of course.

3.    Blow out the crud with compressed air

Compressed air cans are super fun and actually useful for times like these. Get it right in-between the keys and pull the tighter. Blow it through every line of keys up and down. Ya! That dust doesn't stand a chance.

4.    Use a Vacuum and Suck out the Debris

Put on that duster brush attachment, and run the vacuum over the keyboard keys picking up whatever was left behind from the prior shake and blow.

5.    Wipe down with Alcohol

With cotton cloth and some 90% Isopropyl (ensure it's not Ethanol based) dap some of the stuff on the cloth and wipe down the keys and the surrounding surface. Get around the edges and see how well you can do getting in-between the keys.

6.    Getting between the keys

An old tooth brush work well for this. Pour isopropyl into a bowl and dab the tooth brush. Brush in-between the keys getting the gunk, frequently refreshing the brush in the bowl of Isopropyl. 

7.    Going deep; under the keys

Getting real clean inside in out will take a bit of patience. You're going to be removing keys, but before you do make a key reference for yourself so you know how the keys go back on. I recommend using a digital camera or even running it over a copy machine.

Using a flat head screw driver or a butter knife also works great, to pry and pop the keys off one by one.

With the bottom of the keyboard exposed, give the contours of good brushing of isopropyl with the tooth brush.  If you need to get into some awkward corners, a cue-tip works well. Now pad dry and pick up the loosed gunk (from the brushing) with a dry cloth.

8.    Reassemble

Using your reference photo of the keyboard, replace the keys gently but firm. With each placed key, give it a few taps and make sure it moves freely.

Your keyboard is now reassembled and super clean; yay!

Now plug in your keyboard and give that bad boy a whirl. Excellent, now you can go and actually get some real work done.