I've been typing for fun and profit for about 23 years; I'm 41 now and haven't had any problems yet (*knock on wood*).
Of course, I learned proper wrist positioning at the start - that is, you hold your wrists as straight as possible and let your fingers dangle down to the keys. Keeping the wrists bent, as some people do, is bad, even with a so-called wrist rest. Try keeping one of your legs bent all day and see if you don't feel it.
I've also noticed many typists have a habit of "banging" the keys forcefully when they type, as if they're angry. That's like a jogger wearing cheap shoes and running on concrete. Every time your fingers slam those keys, you're putting unnecessary stress on your finger, hand and wrist joints. The days of the old manual typewriters are over -- easy does it. You don't need to apply much pressure to get the job done.
And, as someone else said, take a break if you start to feel any strain. Those wrist braces and oddball keyboards aren't necessary, imo. Just use common sense and you're good.
By the way, I dashed off an email asking how I could get one of these jobs, and I got an almost immediate response:
"Sorry to disappoint but the window of opportunity has now closed. Due to our adverts and the BBC coverage, we have had an unbelieveable response. Because of this we are simply unable to accept any more applicants or their Cvs.
Thank you for your interest in Core Design and we wish you all the best for the future.
Gary"
So tell me again about how women don't game... ? I wish they didn't, the tramps. I wanted that job!!!
Crucini said: "First, I'm not condemning Tomb Raider. Game makers have no obligation to cater to women, who in any event will not buy many games."
Can I say two words? The Sims.
Oh, wait a sec. I want to add a third word if you don't mind: Myst.
Women WILL buy games. We will buy them by the truckload, and we won't flinch at popping out the plastic for the lame, overpriced expansion packs. You know, the one that lets the characters go on dates, then the one that lets them go on vacation, then the one that lets them have pets... ad nauseum.
I don't have statistics, but I'd be willing to bet more than a handful of women also bought the first Tomb Raider game. Why? Because it wasn't all about shooting and gore. It was basically a puzzle game. It had cool (for the time) graphics and a female main character. Oh, yeah, and Lara's breasts were a more manageable size back then.
What we don't buy, no matter how many times you guys remake basically the SAME FRIGGIN' GAME, is an FPS where the whole point is to run around fragging (or for most of us, being repetitively fragged by) 14-year-old hormone spouting boys pretending to be big macho men. Ugh. In what way is that supposed to appeal to us? Well, ok, the thing about getting to take out some of our aggressions by blowing away a few testosterone OD cases does have a certain appeal, but you have to practice WAY too much to become good enough to do that. Meanwhile you have to be humiliated over and over again by swaggering male figures... and basically, we get enough of that in real life.;)
So look, what I'm trying to say here is, game companies could make a lot more money if they would make games that appeal to men and women both. Sure, they could just keep doing what they're doing and marketing to the pubescent males, but the real money comes when you create a game that appeals to both sexes. Of course, the game would have to have a PLOT, and CHARACTER INTERACTION (spraying the other person's brains all over a brick wall does NOT count), and interesting SITUATIONS or PUZZLES to solve... oooh that's just too much work. It's probably a lot easier to just make another FPS with, I dunno... bigger guns or something. Or more realistic gore. Yeah that's it! More gore!:P
I had mine done in June and I'm quite satisfied with the results. My eyes were about as bad as yours, -5.50 in one eye and -5.25 in the other or so, but I don't have any astigmatism. Now, nearly four months after the surgery, I'm slightly far-sighted. The doctors seem to think this will correct over time and my vision will settle down to 20/20, but I'm VERY happy with it even as it is right now!
I've been really looking for that halo effect at night; I'd done my anti-Lasik research and was well aware of the risks. But since the surgery, every time I've pointed out halos to other family members (who've always had good vision), they see them as well -- so it's probably just a matter of not having noticed them before. IF there's been any increase in halo, glare, etc., it must be really slight.
The far-sightedness I'm experiencing is very minor - I can read maps, my watch, books, etc., but I do have to hold a book further from my eyes than I used to before the surgery, and I do notice that reading books tires my eyes more now than it did before. If the far-sightedness corrects as they expect it will, this will go away. If it doesn't, I'm at that age where people start to need reading glasses anyway, so it wouldn't be a big lifestyle change.
But you were especially concerned about computer use. So was I! I'm on the computer most of the day. Web browsing is a big part of my life and I would've been crushed if I'd had to give it up. I'm happy to report I'm on the computer 12 to 16 hours a day, and it doesn't bother me in the least. I haven't had to increase the font size on my screen or cut down my computer use a bit. That's not to say it will be that way for you -- that's why you have to really weigh the pros and cons before you make up your mind.
Like any other elective surgery, you always have to weigh the risks. Do all the research you can, ask as many questions of as many people as you can -- just like you're doing. Most important of all, make sure you don't go to one of those cut-rate places. The clinic I chose cost more than some of the others, but they also turn away a higher rate of potential clients. That's actually a good thing -- you don't want people taking unecessary chances with your eyesight just because they can't bear to miss out on a little profit. Make sure they spend enough time with you to discuss every aspect of the procedure, especially how they might address your astigmatism. Be very confident of their integrity before you commit to anything!
Personally, I'd do it over again in a heartbeat. It's so great to be able to see the alarm clock, not have to grope around for eyeglasses to find my way around the house, swim (and see where I'm swimming), shower and be able to see whether I missed any fluffy patches when shaving my legs (yep, done that), sit around in a room full of cigarette smoke without having my contacts dry out... you know what I mean. I walked in the rain a couple of weeks ago and totally did not mind getting wet because it was such a pleasure not having my contacts weld themselves to my eyeballs (all you soft lens wearers will know exactly what I'm talking about).
Just give it a lot of thought and, if you go through with it, make sure you have a good surgeon. Mine came highly recommended by my (former!) optician as the best in the area.
We moved over here from the States last year, and I find the UK rating system to be a royal pain. There are far too many movies we aren't allowed to take our 10 year old to see. Recent example: The Scorpion King. It's irrelevant that I think the violence in the movie is about as dangerous to my children's well-being as watching The Simpsons (which airs 3 or 4 times a day). The law says she can't go in, and that's that.
Another gripe: Why does it take SO LONG for most US movies to make it across the pond? It wasn't until about 6 months after having moved here that I was able to watch something I hadn't already seen in the US before the move. Not only are these UK censors unreasonably paranoid, they're damn S-L-O-W!!!
have you ever thought that you bought a car without any parts in it. meaning because you can "rebrand a car" this means that I can sell one without tires (and you will be the one to choose) or i sell you without any parts like the fuel injection, spark plugs, radiator (because you can all purchase these things from other small shops and assemble them!) You haven't seen a car sold in a bare configuration, have you?
That's not a very good analogy because the parts you mention are essential to a car's basic operation in getting passengers from point A to point B. The things MS tacks on (and raises its prices for, and forbids us to remove) are more akin to a car's A/C, stereo, CD player, pinstriping, paint sealant, undercoating, window tinting, and ScotchGuard. Nice things to have it you want to pay extra, but plain annoying if you're FORCED to have them and warned that attempting to remove them will cause the whole car to stop running, and void the warranty.:P
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It's HOW you do it.
I've been typing for fun and profit for about 23 years; I'm 41 now and haven't had any problems yet (*knock on wood*).
Of course, I learned proper wrist positioning at the start - that is, you hold your wrists as straight as possible and let your fingers dangle down to the keys. Keeping the wrists bent, as some people do, is bad, even with a so-called wrist rest. Try keeping one of your legs bent all day and see if you don't feel it.
I've also noticed many typists have a habit of "banging" the keys forcefully when they type, as if they're angry. That's like a jogger wearing cheap shoes and running on concrete. Every time your fingers slam those keys, you're putting unnecessary stress on your finger, hand and wrist joints. The days of the old manual typewriters are over -- easy does it. You don't need to apply much pressure to get the job done.
And, as someone else said, take a break if you start to feel any strain. Those wrist braces and oddball keyboards aren't necessary, imo. Just use common sense and you're good.
Yeah but real live people don't come with a volume control. :P
By the way, I dashed off an email asking how I could get one of these jobs, and I got an almost immediate response:
"Sorry to disappoint but the window of opportunity has now closed. Due to our adverts and the BBC coverage, we have had an unbelieveable response. Because of this we are simply unable to accept any more applicants or their Cvs.
Thank you for your interest in Core Design and we wish you all the best for the future.
Gary"
So tell me again about how women don't game... ? I wish they didn't, the tramps. I wanted that job!!!
Crucini said: "First, I'm not condemning Tomb Raider. Game makers have no obligation to cater to women, who in any event will not buy many games."
;)
:P
Can I say two words? The Sims.
Oh, wait a sec. I want to add a third word if you don't mind: Myst.
Women WILL buy games. We will buy them by the truckload, and we won't flinch at popping out the plastic for the lame, overpriced expansion packs. You know, the one that lets the characters go on dates, then the one that lets them go on vacation, then the one that lets them have pets... ad nauseum.
I don't have statistics, but I'd be willing to bet more than a handful of women also bought the first Tomb Raider game. Why? Because it wasn't all about shooting and gore. It was basically a puzzle game. It had cool (for the time) graphics and a female main character. Oh, yeah, and Lara's breasts were a more manageable size back then.
What we don't buy, no matter how many times you guys remake basically the SAME FRIGGIN' GAME, is an FPS where the whole point is to run around fragging (or for most of us, being repetitively fragged by) 14-year-old hormone spouting boys pretending to be big macho men. Ugh. In what way is that supposed to appeal to us? Well, ok, the thing about getting to take out some of our aggressions by blowing away a few testosterone OD cases does have a certain appeal, but you have to practice WAY too much to become good enough to do that. Meanwhile you have to be humiliated over and over again by swaggering male figures... and basically, we get enough of that in real life.
So look, what I'm trying to say here is, game companies could make a lot more money if they would make games that appeal to men and women both. Sure, they could just keep doing what they're doing and marketing to the pubescent males, but the real money comes when you create a game that appeals to both sexes. Of course, the game would have to have a PLOT, and CHARACTER INTERACTION (spraying the other person's brains all over a brick wall does NOT count), and interesting SITUATIONS or PUZZLES to solve... oooh that's just too much work. It's probably a lot easier to just make another FPS with, I dunno... bigger guns or something. Or more realistic gore. Yeah that's it! More gore!
The shape my carpets are in, mowing might be the best option.
I had mine done in June and I'm quite satisfied with the results. My eyes were about as bad as yours, -5.50 in one eye and -5.25 in the other or so, but I don't have any astigmatism. Now, nearly four months after the surgery, I'm slightly far-sighted. The doctors seem to think this will correct over time and my vision will settle down to 20/20, but I'm VERY happy with it even as it is right now!
I've been really looking for that halo effect at night; I'd done my anti-Lasik research and was well aware of the risks. But since the surgery, every time I've pointed out halos to other family members (who've always had good vision), they see them as well -- so it's probably just a matter of not having noticed them before. IF there's been any increase in halo, glare, etc., it must be really slight.
The far-sightedness I'm experiencing is very minor - I can read maps, my watch, books, etc., but I do have to hold a book further from my eyes than I used to before the surgery, and I do notice that reading books tires my eyes more now than it did before. If the far-sightedness corrects as they expect it will, this will go away. If it doesn't, I'm at that age where people start to need reading glasses anyway, so it wouldn't be a big lifestyle change.
But you were especially concerned about computer use. So was I! I'm on the computer most of the day. Web browsing is a big part of my life and I would've been crushed if I'd had to give it up. I'm happy to report I'm on the computer 12 to 16 hours a day, and it doesn't bother me in the least. I haven't had to increase the font size on my screen or cut down my computer use a bit. That's not to say it will be that way for you -- that's why you have to really weigh the pros and cons before you make up your mind.
Like any other elective surgery, you always have to weigh the risks. Do all the research you can, ask as many questions of as many people as you can -- just like you're doing. Most important of all, make sure you don't go to one of those cut-rate places. The clinic I chose cost more than some of the others, but they also turn away a higher rate of potential clients. That's actually a good thing -- you don't want people taking unecessary chances with your eyesight just because they can't bear to miss out on a little profit. Make sure they spend enough time with you to discuss every aspect of the procedure, especially how they might address your astigmatism. Be very confident of their integrity before you commit to anything!
Personally, I'd do it over again in a heartbeat. It's so great to be able to see the alarm clock, not have to grope around for eyeglasses to find my way around the house, swim (and see where I'm swimming), shower and be able to see whether I missed any fluffy patches when shaving my legs (yep, done that), sit around in a room full of cigarette smoke without having my contacts dry out... you know what I mean. I walked in the rain a couple of weeks ago and totally did not mind getting wet because it was such a pleasure not having my contacts weld themselves to my eyeballs (all you soft lens wearers will know exactly what I'm talking about).
Just give it a lot of thought and, if you go through with it, make sure you have a good surgeon. Mine came highly recommended by my (former!) optician as the best in the area.
Good luck whatever you decide!
We moved over here from the States last year, and I find the UK rating system to be a royal pain. There are far too many movies we aren't allowed to take our 10 year old to see. Recent example: The Scorpion King. It's irrelevant that I think the violence in the movie is about as dangerous to my children's well-being as watching The Simpsons (which airs 3 or 4 times a day). The law says she can't go in, and that's that. Another gripe: Why does it take SO LONG for most US movies to make it across the pond? It wasn't until about 6 months after having moved here that I was able to watch something I hadn't already seen in the US before the move. Not only are these UK censors unreasonably paranoid, they're damn S-L-O-W!!!
have you ever thought that you bought a car without any parts in it. meaning because you can "rebrand a car" this means that I can sell one without tires (and you will be the one to choose) or i sell you without any parts like the fuel injection, spark plugs, radiator (because you can all purchase these things from other small shops and assemble them!) You haven't seen a car sold in a bare configuration, have you?
:P
That's not a very good analogy because the parts you mention are essential to a car's basic operation in getting passengers from point A to point B. The things MS tacks on (and raises its prices for, and forbids us to remove) are more akin to a car's A/C, stereo, CD player, pinstriping, paint sealant, undercoating, window tinting, and ScotchGuard. Nice things to have it you want to pay extra, but plain annoying if you're FORCED to have them and warned that attempting to remove them will cause the whole car to stop running, and void the warranty.