Hacker News Reader

Comment by jolmg | Hacker News Reader

> At first, it seems like an easy, clear-cut problem to solve. We all use recliners, we all use desks, we all use chairs...surely, you can just take a part from this and a piece from that and call it done. Well, we tried all that and came up with prototypes that kind of worked, at best.

What about pointing a projector to the ceiling above the bed and using a split keyboard?

Another idea could be setting up a monitor with an arm[1] attached to some furniture or wall at the head of the bed.

Making use of the bed seems both easier and more space efficient.

[1] https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=monitor+arm&iax=images&ia=i...

View on HN

Great question and I can say early on I and the other primary inventor really pondered "what is needed?" He felt it should be a chair that became a bed. I felt it should be a standing desk that became a "recliner with ottoman". As we started testing and getting feedback the big lesson was everyone wanted something a little different. At the end of the day we learned that laying down was only one of a variety work positions people wanted. Further, they wanted to change positions easily. The bed only solution took too long to set up and get out of.

I use the monitor arm over bed, with a wireless keyboard and trackball. It works and I can recommend it, but:

1. There is limited adjustment potential.

2. The keyboard is not positioned correctly in full supination and my typing error rate goes way up. A fully split design may help this.

3. It's not a good posture for focusing, although it's great for calm viewing.

For focusing I'd go for floor sitting with a lap desk to hold wireless peripherals, and anything that can elevate the screen. This method allows postural adjustment with deep stretches over the course of the day.

> 1. There is limited adjustment potential.

What kind of adjustment are you missing? Is is lack of degrees of freedom on the arm or is it the bed?

> 2. The keyboard is not positioned correctly in full supination and my typing error rate goes way up. A fully split design may help this.

I also think a fully split keyboard would be essential here. I don't think it'd be comfortable/ergonomic at all to have the keyboard over your body while typing. I think ideally the arms should be spread to a degree (maybe hands at half a foot distance from the legs) to more evenly distribute the body-weight on the bed.

> 3. It's not a good posture for focusing, although it's great for calm viewing.

Are you referring to how it's easier to doze off? Although, that would also be a problem when viewing.

> 3. It's not a good posture for focusing

I have the opposite experience.

> 2. The keyboard is not positioned correctly

This is probably the biggest issue which I think requires some kind of stand or other supporting equipment. Right now I prop up the keyboard in front of me using my arms and elbows or with the aid of a cushion or something on my chest.

Can't you get another monitor arm or maybe microphone arm that you can lock in place? Attach the keyboard to that and it should help.

instead of a split keyboard, plug in two?

Good idea if that lets you avoid buying a new keyboard. Adds redundant bulk to the bed, though.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com