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Comment by kscaldef | Hacker News Reader

For me it brought to mind the discussions a few weeks ago about standing desks. Would simply working standing be sufficient?

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Hmmm, except it's "common" knowledge in the waitress industry that being busy enough to have to walk around and do things frequently is way better than slow days when there's lots of standing around. standing around wreaks havoc on joints and stuff.

so....if you have a standing desk maybe the point is that you walk around more, whereas when one sits one is less inclined to get up for a minute walk.

I'm finding with my standing desk that having good shoe support and a good soft carpet/pad to stand on is quite important.

I'm finding with my standing desk that having good shoe support and a good soft carpet/pad to stand on is quite important for that very reason. It does help me to walk around more. I tend to move around quite a bit more than when I was just standing.

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Have you tried using your desk barefooted?

Might be hard in an office environment.

Depends on your company. I am alternating going barefooted and using the Vibram Fivefingers where I work.

Or wearing Vibram FiveFingers. That's what I do.

Probably the same reason why men don't like shopping - too much standing around and not enough movement.

I tried a self-made standing desk for a couple days but went back to sitting because I couldn't take the standing for long periods of time.

If you want to be extra sure, you could go for one of those treadmill desks

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=treadmill%20desk...

I would imagine the constant bobbing up and down would be even worse for your eyes...

Hunter-gatherers would be running around, tracking prey in the distance. Maybe the brain is wired to handle that well.

Tracking prey a hundred yards away is different from tracking source code 3 feet away.

Clearly the solution is to get a thin monitor and tape it to your cat or dog.

... and patent application filed. thanks!

I sit on a Swiss Ball, constantly bouncing up and down. It doesn't seem to have any impact on my typing or ability to read code.

I bought trekdesk (http://www.trekdesk.com) and I use it walking about 1.3 mph.

As a side note, I'm surprised that that site's FAQ appears to be advocating computer use on the treadmill but makes no mention of static discharge. In the winter, our treadmill becomes a giant Van de Graaff generator, unpleasant to use if you don't constantly ground yourself on a handrail. I gather this has not been a problem for you?

I just started using it. Maybe I can try the wrist straps used by electronics workers to protect against static buildup. We'll see.

I got a static wrist strap which helps. (Every day, not just in winter!)

Here's my desk: http://rwmj.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/treadmill-desk-part-6-h...

Exactly what occured to me in this context. I've been thinking about an ergonomic sit/stand desk for a long time. A friend of mine, a teacher, has bought one and praised it immensely.

Have a look at these products http://www.leuwico.com/web_e/products/office_furniture/ergod...

The height can be adjusted either manually (hydraulic system) or with a motor. It works better than it sounds. You can adjust the height even with a loaded desk easily.

The only question is: Would I remember to change my posture regularly?

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