University Keyboard Problems

University Keyboard Problems

by Shanaz Haque -
Number of replies: 12

Hi,

Im not sure if this is the right place to post this topic.

Some of the keyboards are too stiff the keystrokes are realy starting to hurt my fingers.

I use a laptop at home and can comfortably type.

I wanted to do my journals however I am unable to type now, as the keystrokes on the keyboard are making my fingers develop pain.

Its also taking me 3 times as long to type a sentence.

I don't have any special circumstances, but I do tend to get RSI pain when on PC for extended periods of  time.

Does the university have any ergonomic keyboards for use?

Over the summer while on the SKE course - I really developed a lot of pain in my arms and wrists using the university keyboards.

I don't think I can do much work at uni, unless there is a softer keyboard.

 

Shana

 

 

In reply to Shanaz Haque

Re: University Keyboard Problems

by Richard Morgan -

Hi

Sorry to hear yoiu are hving issues with the equipment on campus, I will pass your comments onto someone who should be able to help resolve your problem.

Kind Regards

Richard

In reply to Shanaz Haque

Re: University Keyboard Problems

by Bob Ridge-Stearn -

Hi Shana,

The solution is obvious.

Bring your laptop to university.

Best wishes,

Bob Ridge-Stearn.

Head of e-Learning.

 

In reply to Bob Ridge-Stearn

Re: University Keyboard Problems

by Shanaz Haque -

hi Bob,

 

Unfortunately my laptop is heavy.

I use 2 buses to come to university that takes me 1 and a half hours each way. I have a lot of other things I need to carry in such as books, writing pads, folders, water etc.

If I accidently drop my laptop while carrying it on the floor  while waiting for the bus then I am without a computer for the semester.

This really is not the solution for me.

I can bring in my nephews  10inch laptop  - but that defeats the purpose, I would never get any work done.

 

shana

 

In reply to Shanaz Haque

Re: University Keyboard Problems

by Lorraine Loveland-Armour -

Hi Shana,

It may be worthwhile for you to speak with Heather Griffiths, the Inclusion Coordinator in Student Services as she may have an ergonomic keyboard that could be checked out on a short-term loan basis...definitely worth asking :)

In reply to Lorraine Loveland-Armour

Re: University Keyboard Problems

by Shanaz Haque -

Hi,

 

thank you I will speak with her.

yesterday my hand went numb for 2 hours.

I have tried keyboards in one of the other rooms and it was similar the keystrokes are not soft.

or maybe I am just picking the wrong computers with harder keyboards

 

thanks

 

shana

 

In reply to Shanaz Haque

Re: University Keyboard Problems

by Mark Penrice -

Hi Shana,

unfortunately for yourself, for economic reasons most of our computers have to use either the keyboards they were shipped with, or the cheapest practical replacements when those break down, which means we have to take what we can get. I personally find most of them quite soft and comfortable to use, but on the whole they definitely require more finger force than a thinner, flimsier laptop keyboard would.

Typing for long periods can put a strain on your hand and arm muscles at the best of times, regardless of how good your keyboard is (we never evolved to put ourselves through that minor but very repetitive strain), so as this is a particular problem you're encountering I would echo Lorraine and encourage you to go speak to Heather. It definitely comes under the title of "reasonable adjustment" as you need to be able to write up your essays and assignments, so not having the necessary assistance could badly impact how well you do on your course!

As well as borrowing an ergonomic keyboard (that should connect to most of our machines via a front-panel USB just fine) - either one shaped to the hand rather than being rectangular, or just a more laptop-style portable model - there might be other assistance available including help with buying one to keep, or voice recognition software and the like which would at least take away the load of getting the initial text into the machine before the editing stage.

I wouldn't want to promise any of that, hence "should" and "might", but it'll certainly be worthwhile asking about it.

Good luck! 

In reply to Mark Penrice

Re: University Keyboard Problems

by Shanaz Haque -

Hi Mark,

 

thank you for your thoughful comments.

Technology should enhance life, when it becomes more trouble than its worth, time to let it go.

Sitting 14hours a day tapping on a laptop or computer is no life, and no doubt will create physiological problems longterm!

I appreciate the economic reasons for durable keyboards. Students are no doubt often damaging them etc.

The keyboard problem is in room MC015,   The second Island, first row, terminal 2.

I will find out the computer number, if any one can replace that keyboard with a different one for now that should be suffice.

I will be in school experience from next week, so will deal with this when back

I would sit at a different terminal, however we have to sometimes do group work and collaborate with certain peers which means sitting next to a specific person.

During the session we do move around to other terminals etc, but since I can't type at these keyboards, My peers kindly do the typing.

If I bang my finger repetitively on the keyboard my hand goes numb.

thank you again for your thoughts

 

shana

 

 

In reply to Shanaz Haque

Re: University Keyboard Problems

by Mark Penrice -

No problem. I'm on your side in this, if it's not clear!

The cheap keyboards work perfectly well for most purposes but they are very square and probably don't give more than the most passing thought towards user comfort or accessibility. Sometimes the letters rub off as well...(!) ... I'm probably doing and have done my joints untold damage from 20+ years of using this kind of keyboard, but the symptoms won't show up until it's far too late :)

It's not unknown for keys to become sticky or stiff, especially in a shared use environment e.g. if someone's spilt a sugary drink over it and not cleared it up (like you say ... putting better made ones in open access rooms is a bit of a risk!) - so if that one you mentioned is particularly bad we can check it out and maybe replace it. If so, I could even suggest replacing just that one with an ergonomic model, but it's probably better for it to be a per-user, case-by-case thing, like the aforementioned short term loan suggestion. I know we've had them installed on that basis in staff offices before (where they're likely to be single user and much better looked after), so it's not unknown.

Have a good week, and if I'm passing that room I'll have a look in. Just to be sure, which corner of the room does your counting scheme start, if you align yourself to be looking at the projector board? (IE is it second island, first row, second computer from front left, rear right, etc?)

In reply to Mark Penrice

Re: University Keyboard Problems

by Shanaz Haque -

Hi Mark,

 

I have identified it as

 

MC015     PC62100-4096

thank you

 

shana

 

 

In reply to Shanaz Haque

Re: University Keyboard Problems

by Mark Penrice -

Ah - thanks, but that doesn't actually match with our asset tagging scheme or the serial numbers those computers have, you might actually have just read off the part code! (Well done on finding it though, they're usually quite well hidden?) ... And unless we've been fortunate enough for a few different models to be mixed up in the same room, they've probably all got the same label. Sorry!

If you're still in the room, there should be a four-digit "ID" number etched into it somewhere, much like you might see a security etching of a car's numberplate on its window glass, most likely along with a "Newman" name tag (either College, University College or University depending on the machine's age - the tags are permanent!). This is generally on the top panel of the main body of the open access machines, though sometime's it's on the foot, the monitor, etc.

If not, just letting us know if it was towards the front or back of the building (and the inner or outer wall) will help locate it, given what you already wrote.

In reply to Mark Penrice

Re: University Keyboard Problems

by Shanaz Haque -

 

Thank God, its Friday tomorrow, Academia is taking over life :)

MC015 if you come into the first door, the computers are in rows

So it will be 4th row,  2nd terminal.

That funny number you will find on the PC.

Shana

 

In reply to Shanaz Haque

Re: University Keyboard Problems

by Mark Penrice -

Cheers. I'm afraid I didn't get to have a look myself since you sent this (the notification got lost amongst many other things) but I'll try to either go find it or tell another of the team now I've found your reply.