How can you tell if you are at risk?
eText TypeSmart is designed to minimize the risk of keyboard related ailments, such as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) and Carpal Tunnel Disorder (CTD), and is based on the latest research in this area.
The Comfort and Safety Module, the second module of the Learning Center, aims to help the user become aware of the dangers of bad posture, poor work habits using their keyboard and computer and the early signs of keyboard injury. Employers, HR managers and educationalists would do well to ensure that their users are well informed of their risk after they have completed this module.
It is an interactive module that allows users to first answer a short quiz regarding comfort and safety issues to assess their knowledge of these issues. Then they are asked to respond to questions that allow typeSmart to assess their present and future risk of injury. After users have answered the questions, a summary of their risk is provided, together with comments. This module can be trialed in the free download demonstration version of TypeSmart.
TypeSmart uses the Key Finger Group method of typing, not the discredited Home Keys method, and therefore avoids the awkward keystrokes inherent in that method. In addition, the eText method is based on modern psychological learning principles and reduces the instance of stress and performance anxiety.
A summary of these is provided in the typeSmart software, in the Comfort and Safety panel of the Guides window, which can be accessed from the Navigate Bar. However, the ergonomic design of typeSmart is no substitute for the right postures and habits, as described above.
