Preventing RSI plugin idea

[mikedee]

Whilst looking for information on input redirection (literally nobody knows - even roughly :)), I came across this article about repetitive strain injury. As people who use computers a lot, this may be of interest to us all.

Its a bit long winded but the basic idea is that a piece of software can be used to display a message when someone has been typing or clicking the mouse too much. He talks about micro breaks and I am not sure what actually happens to the text typed (ie. is it buffered or destroyed?).

Even if you do not have RSI then this sort of thing could stop it happening.

I think something like this could easilly be implemented as a plugin if anyone was interested.

http://www.oreillynet.com/onlamp/blog/2004/05/repetitive_software_injury.html

[nzjrs]

While not really a plugin, the Gnome keyboard preferences window has a built in typing break feature. When enabled it locks your screen every x minutes, forcing you to take a break

[mikedee]

There was mention of something in gnome. I suppose KDE is behind the times on this one ;)

The question really though is would anyone use it? If the idea of microbreaks was actually useful it might be nice to have (even good for your health) but I think that disabling the keyboard totally is a bit militant. I can just imagine having server trouble and franticly typing away to get it working and then the keyboard cuts out.

Maybe just a gentle reminder would be better :)

[amgeex]

I would certainly use it. I think that displaying a nice message would be better than locking the screen. :wink:

[nzjrs]

I would certainly use it. I think that displaying a nice message would be better than locking the screen. :wink:

you would be surprised.

If it was a nice message I would ignore it. With RSI prevention, it only works if you are FORCED to have a break.

Trust me, I am still recovering from a nastry RSI injury a year ago!