{"id":2106,"date":"2014-10-18T10:12:44","date_gmt":"2014-10-18T14:42:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.danielpradilla.info\/blog\/?p=2106"},"modified":"2014-10-18T11:02:02","modified_gmt":"2014-10-18T15:32:02","slug":"software-rsi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.danielpradilla.info\/blog\/software-rsi\/","title":{"rendered":"Software tools to avoid Repetitive Strain Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) can be defined<\/a> as a painful condition linked to performing a repetitive activity for long periods of time. If your work depends on that you sit all day at a computer \u00e2\u20ac\u201clike mine\u00e2\u20ac\u201c it’s crucial that you find a way to take periodic breaks to do some stretching exercises<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"desk-exercises-for-repetitive-stress-injury\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But there are days that I’m in the zone<\/em>, you know? I sit down to work and suddenly is lunch time and I’ve spent 3 hours straight without even looking up. That’s a recipe for pain. I need some kind of reminder to change my position, stretch, stand up, go to the toilet, etc.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there’s software for that!<\/p>\n

I use a time out timer<\/strong>, an app that’s constantly running in the background and reminds you from time to time to take a break. I’ve found on for Mac and one for PC:<\/p>\n

\"micro-pause\"<\/a>
Workrave<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For PC there’s Workrave<\/strong> (http:\/\/www.workrave.org<\/a>). When it’s time for a break, a popup window appears asking you to take a break. It automatically disappears if you keep working. But if you ignore it too often, it\u00a0gets more adamant and pops up a break window that can be configured to completely block your computer during the break.<\/p>\n

\"overview\"<\/a>
Time Out<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For Mac there’s Time Out<\/strong> (http:\/\/www.dejal.com\/timeout<\/a>). From time to time it fades your screen to gray and displays a timer reminding you to take a micro-break for a few seconds, or a full, longer break.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Both apps are configurable and the time between breaks and micro-breaks can be adjusted to your preferences or working habits.<\/p>\n

A constant periodic reminder that you have to take a break can get really annoying really fast. It takes a little to get used to, but it surely beats being killed by your computer<\/a>!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"sitting-is-killing-you\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I’ve also looked into buying a standing desk. The categorial review of standing desks is at The Wirecutter<\/a>. But you might not want to invest $500-$1000 on a desk, so there are two other, cheaper alternatives:<\/p>\n