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Comment by disadvantage | Hacker News Reader

One thing that bothers me and still hasn't been solved is the ergonomics of everyday computing. I don't care if people have Herman Miller chairs and use ergonomic keyboards, and an expensive mouse. You're still sitting on a chair which will kill your back. I've tried standing desks, but never liked standing.

As for phones/tablets; I've only ever used them as consumption devices and no 'deep work' gets done on them like you would with a desktop PC. My strategy is to take regular breaks from the PC and stand up every 8 minutes and walk around to straighten my back, but it doesn't have to be that way. I just want to be plugged in for hours like I could do in my twenties. Solve that!

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As of others have mentioned here, VR solves a lot of these problems. E.g.

> [VR], on the other hand, gives you the ability to move windows or even your entire workspace around at will, allowing you to change positions and achieve more ergonomic working stances throughout the day. You can even experiment with supine computing without purchasing any expensive desk setups.

VR computing also allows you to walk while computing (using an "AR mode" supported by passthrough front facing cameras).[1]

[1] https://simulavr.com/blog/why-vrcs-are-better-than-pcs-and-l...

I suspect VR workstations will help with this. Many ergonomic constraints come from ease of mounting monitors at eye level. With VR this problem no longer exists. You can be in any position you want - lying down, standing, sitting cross-legged on a cushion on the floor, etc. - and as long as you can type with separated keyboard halves for each hand you will be productive.

Perhaps we should not be chasing the One True Ergonomic Body Position but should instead rotate through various positions during the day.

VR is uncomfortable

I stayed away from VR for the past eight years but picked up an oculus quest 2 for $180 on craigslist the other day. Other than the mandatory facebook integration (hopefully a thriving jailbreak/homebrew ecosystem pops up) I am blown away that something of this quality can be found for so little. VR computers are coming and I would happily pay a few thousand dollars for something that can replace my desk, chair, monitors, microphone, headphones, computer, and all the other knick-knacks necessary for those to work together. I think things have now reached the level where they can authentically compete with a real-world workstation, at the high end. Certainly they must be customized for your head/face shape and eye positions.

For the time being.

Personally I've had good luck with the following:

-Herman Miller Aeron

-adjust height of chair so that feel are flat on the floor

-adjust desk so that keyboard is at elbow level and arms don't have to be raised

-raise monitors to put top 3rd at eye level

-scoot back and sit straight in the chair

I find if I check all these boxes I can work for 12 or 14 hours, stand up, and feel just as good as when I sat down.

Also, keyboards need to be split apart and attached to a chair like the DataHand keyboard (without the connecting board) of years ago. Typing on a single thing in front of you is asking for body wear and tear.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DataHand

Change positions.

Standing. Kneeling chairs. Posture ball chairs. Laying down (what's lower stress than this?).

> I've tried standing desks, but never liked standing.

This is why adjustable standing desks are important. It's not good to be standing all day either. The best approach is changing your position between sitting and standing throughout the day, with frequent breaks.

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