For myself, I'm using computers and equipment now for about 16 years and never had any fysical defects (?) ;o)

More than 25 in my case without problems, but that does not mean the problems don't exist. One has to be carefull both not to over- or underestimate dangers.

Controversies concerning dangers of mobile phones, monitors, HV transfer lines etc come to mind. One of the main problems is that it is extremely easy to make errors in design and/or interpretation of such epidemiological studies, either accidentally or intentionally (if one has a hidden agenda).

Two examples:

Notorious Corning breast implant case, where the company went out of business paying enormous amounts to women allegedly afflicted by an array of health problems because of use of implants. What the studies supporting ridicolous court rulling completelly neglected is that users of implants were exposed to other risk factors (using oral contraceptives, using aggresive hair dies, abusing alcohol etc) several times more than general population. It is not up to study authors to judge someone's lifestyle, but these are still epidemiological facts, being politically correct or not.

Low-frequency EM radiation from monitors: some studies have shown that professional typist are considerably more likely to have miscarriage if they use word processor as opposed to typewritter. Ergo, the monitor is to blame. Nobody noticed this applies only to typists, not programmers, operators etc. The fact is that pregnant WP typists are in danger because they work for hours in the same position, moving only their fingers and eyes. Those using old-fashioned typewritters move and strech every so often when they change paper, collate pages etc. So, the solution is excercise, not 'low-rad' monitors. (My half-serious theory is that these studies, which originated in Scandinavia, were comissioned by Nokia, so that they could offer a solution: a low-rad monitor. I expect something similar with cell phones )

Having said that, I do hate user interfaces which force the user to alternate between keyboard and mouse a lot. I am looking for a keyboard with good tactile feedback and 'eraser' style pointer control, so that I don't have to move my hands from the keyboard (a laptop would do, but I am still to find laptop keyboard I like - I am using an old-fashioned Lexmark $150 keyboard with really good tactile feedback).



Dragi "Bonzi" Raos
Zagreb, Croatia
Q#5196, MkII#80000376, 18GB green