Note: This is an updated version of a post that appeared in 2016. Cross references are the instructions in an index that point a user from one place to another, usually taking the form of See or See also. They’re awfully convenient for indexers, providing a way to collect information outside the structure of the index. That is, […]
Computer Vision Syndrome
Computers and electronic devices have become part of our lives. It’s not only with “mouse elbow,” wrist pain, and muscle tension that we see signs of this. Optometrists and ophthalmologists are seeing a collection of symptoms that they call computer vision syndrome (CVS) or sometimes digital eye strain. This constellation of symptoms includes tired eyes, dry […]
Usability: Understanding Cross References, Part I
Cross references — those little notes that tell a reader to look elsewhere in the index for information — are a much-loved tool for many indexers (Hans Wellisch gives them 10 pages in Indexing from A to Z). They’re quiet instructions, helping readers get acquainted with the author’s word choices. They neatly connect bits and pieces of the index, highlighting […]
Mouse Use, Egonomics of
Using the mouse more seems like an obvious answer you if are experiencing pain from keyboard use. While that can be helpful—simply substituting mouse use as much as possible has its own set of problems. By increasing mouse usage, we have opened another can of worms: in trying to avoid stress injury in one place we […]
Ergonomics of Keyboard Use
We don’t think about simple, everyday repetitive, small-amplitude, movements as producing strain. Many times, we don’t realize that seemingly disparate activities are using the same muscle groups and adding to the “strain.” Pain is the body’s way of telling us that tissue injury is occurring. Pay attention to that signal—even if it occurs only transiently. […]
Repetitive Stress/Strain Injury
Being sedentary is not the only work hazard for those of us spending hours working at our computers. Musculoskeletal diseases involving muscle, tendon, ligament, and nervous system injuries are caused by repetitive tasks—like keyboard use. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is often given as an example of this kind of musculoskeletal injury but other aches and […]
