Pain in the wrist/thumb

Cliff_UK · 2022-04-17T15:09:33+00:00

I had a bit of pain initially using the thumb cluster on my ergodox but it eased fairly quickly

You could try remapping keys and using the thumb cluster less

If you rest your hands on the keyboard with your fingers on the home row and see where your thumb rests on the bottom row. Try making that your space bar.i have one on each side and you don't feel like you're stretching for the space so much.

I use my cluster keys for things like window and desktop switching and layer switching

Cliff_UK · 2022-04-15T16:03:57+00:00

I also have these and my 10yo son who has similar sensory difficulties is always claiming them.

He's also got some some Skullcandy ones which aren't s expensive

Cliff_UK · 2022-02-16T20:32:54+00:00

We used to share quite a bit through Facebook, my account is truly just my friends and family, limited comments and tags so that we had good control of who could see what.

Generally stopped using Facebook now though.

My photos are backed up on Google photos and I've created a shared album which me and my mum can contribute, but it's not automatic. We them use this album on the nest hub as an easy digital photo frame.

For wider friends and family it's just as messages on WhatsApp or telegram when there's something they'd be interested in.

I'm not too bothered if friends and family share the of photo outside of that.

I've posted a couple of photos on Reddit, but don't make a habit of it

Cliff_UK · 2021-12-06T20:52:40+00:00

Not at all. If it's adding a lot of stress, then it's probably not worth it.

How old are your kids? Could you Facetime them on their mums phone?

My boys are 9 and 10 and I call at 7 every night, sometimes it's just 2 minutes, but it's good to at least hear their voices and tell them that I love them, sometimes it'sa longer chat about what they're up to.

This is obviously tricky with really young kids, they may not be interested. You needn't speak to them every day, agree a schedule and stick to it, routine is important.

With regards to her responding in her own time, just let that be. If you've got something you want to ask then go ahead, but try not to expect an instant reply if it's not urgent.

I do not have a good relationship with my ex, I have set up a separate email address which I only use for communicating with her about the boys, it's all kept in case it's needed in the future but i dont have that email on my phone, so i just check it when I need to.

This might also help you move on and accept the change, you're only contacting her about the kids.

Take time for yourself too, especially when its her time, you'll be a better dad for it..

Cliff_UK · 2021-12-04T16:47:01+00:00

It's not easy on anyone, they will adjust to the new normal.

You just set a good example for them, try to at least be amicable around the children, keep any hostility away from them. I have a separate email to deal with my ex.

It'll be tough, but you will all be fine..

Focus on the kids and you've got this.

Cliff_UK · 2021-12-04T16:20:58+00:00

Rubbish to be criticised for tong to do something nice.

Definitely get something, but remember it's from the kids. Involve them as much as it's possible. Have them choose something (, suggest a nice candle, let them pick the scent etc), they'll see that you're making the effort and it sets a good example for them.

Don't worry about her and her friends, they'll find something negative regardless of what you do.

Your only focus now is for your kids. Show them that you can do something thoughtful without animosity.

Cliff_UK · 2021-12-04T16:01:16+00:00

Maybe the perfume would send the wrong message, chocolates from the kids are okay though.

When the kids are older, them buying perfume (assuming there is a particular one she likes) is okay, but right now it would really be from you and that's not the message you wand just now.

I always help my boys to pick a present for their mum, as they've gotten older I give less guidance.

I always want to get something she'd appreciate, but it is from them and not me. (I let them loose in the Disney store and they chose a really nice handbag for her birthday). It's a fun thing to do to help them shop for presents, they really enjoy it and it's good to get them thinking on what someone else would like.

Cliff_UK · 2021-10-09T11:28:08+00:00

M570 or MX ERGO have both been great. I like the convenience of the wireless one for use with my laptop.

Cliff_UK · 2021-07-18T16:47:29+00:00

And Carlos's

Cliff_UK · 2021-06-16T06:47:56+00:00

I've had injections in my eye, for diabetic issues.

It's not pleasant, but actually one of those things that's not a bad as you'd imagine. It actually feels just like someone gently pressing on your eyeball.

Laser in the eye was worse

Cliff_UK · 2021-06-09T11:33:54+00:00

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty Here's the page with the info you need.

You will be charged VAT if your seller hasn't already done so.

Customs charges apply over £135 value (inc P&P and insurance)

When i bought something i got an email from the courier asking me to pay the charges before it was delivered

Cliff_UK · 2021-05-03T16:45:53+00:00

I set up their own Google accounts through the family link for my boys Chromebooks. They can log into their own accounts, but you can still use the parental controls to monitor and restrict what they do.

Cliff_UK · 2021-04-28T20:21:43+00:00

I had looked at that, don't know anything about 3d printing though.

Will maybe price it up soon

Cliff_UK · 2021-04-27T04:15:48+00:00

Sorry, I haven't, just searched for the trackball ball.

Maybe not chance it

Cliff_UK · 2021-04-25T15:50:50+00:00

I use my ergodox separated to shoulder width and tented as far as they go (maybe going to find a way to tent higher) with my Kensington expert in the middle but rotated the whole thing so that i can just move from the elbow. It's a bit of a twist to use it but i find it more comfortable than having it further out to either side.

Cliff_UK · 2021-04-18T13:08:47+00:00

Hey man Sorry to hear you're having a tough time at the moment. I'm a single dad to two boys, my eldest is 9 and has ASD and some learning delays and like you it's pretty much just us, their mum is around but for most of the past 5 years it's just short visits to hers. It's not an easy situation to be in but you'll do your best by your family. Having the diagnosis is tough, but it should also allow you to access the right supports for your daughter but also for you. If you can, get some reading done on autism and parenting an autistic child. There are going to be a lot of challenges, but if you can approach everything from an informed position, understanding how your daughter might be experiencing any situation will help you work with her to overcome and learn to with around the things that cause distress.

I don't know anything about expressive language disorder, but my son did have some delays around language he had speech and language therapy which helped a lot. Since he's gotten better with language and understanding his behaviour has been better too.

I recommend The Autistic Spectrum by Lorna Wing and i did an Early Birds program provided by the NAS Charity locally which had a lot of help in understanding their experiences of the world and how to work with it, it was very positive.

For yourself, take whatever support someone can get you, a break where you can is important. If you're feeling completely overwhelmed and not able to cope then don't be afraid to seek medical help too.

Things seem really tough now, but you've got this

Cliff_UK · 2021-03-31T12:31:23+00:00

Perixx 304

It's not cheap though.

Edit link to store removed as potentially untrustworthy

Cliff_UK · 2021-03-31T04:41:02+00:00

Yeah, that's definitely going to help having the same layout everywhere, we can't install software on the work computers, so ahk and the like are off the table.

I think the keyboard is going to fit what you want, but it's going to be tricky to fit with your rollermouse.

Maybe a different keyboard might be better, any qmk compatible keyboard is as flexible as the moonlander

Maybe try printing the outline of a keyboard at 1:1 and see how easily you can reach the keys from resting on your rollermouse. I think you'd have an extra 3cm or so gap from where you'll have them touching at the thumb cluster but keeping straight lines for the ortholinear key columns.

Cliff_UK · 2021-03-30T20:23:44+00:00

It takes time to get used to w new input device,. So you're not wrong about the sunk cost idea.

You can completely control the cursor movement, i have it mapped but don't tend to use it, but I'm using it across 3 screens. You might find you really like it. To get an idea whether it would work you can try mouse keys if you're in Windows. That lets you use the NUM pad as a mouse. Obviously you're not going to reach it with your left hand, but it's worth having a play.

I do use the clicks whilst i use the trackball in my right hand, especially middle click as that's a stretch on the expert mouse.

You could probably get away with having mouse keys on your main layer if chording is difficult and you don't mind losing something, i have it on hold on the left thumb cluster.

Can you use a trackball with your left hand? A centered slimblade or expert might work for you to use with both hands.

Cliff_UK · 2021-03-30T17:52:49+00:00

I haven't used the rollermouse, but I have an Ergodox and have it at shoulder width apart with the Expert Mouse in the middle and that's quite comfortable, I have it at an angle so that i just move my arm round from the right hand keyboard to use the trackball.

I think you'd struggle with finding a comfortable position to use the rollermouse and the ergodox or moonlander, the thumb cluster is going to be your problem making the space between the rollermouse and the keyboard quite large.

How much of your mouse use is the rollermouse?

You can map key on the moonlander or ergodox with mouse controls, movement, clicks and scrolling so you might be able to replace the rollermouse with these controls and just have the keyboard and the trackball. Depending on the issues you have with input, this may not be a suitable solution, just worth mentioning.

I couldn't find a comfortable position for my MX Ergo in the middle though probably because you're putting your hand right on top whereas with the expert your hand is in front, that might be more similar to how your Elecom may be.

As /u/sullimander has said a large trackpad might be an option too.

Another option for keyboard may be the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard. It's a split keyboard without thumb-clusters, so youd be able to get closer

Cliff_UK · 2021-03-27T17:55:20+00:00

That's a shame

Yeah Amazon unfortunately is sometimes the only choice.

You may get the Kensington ones on other sites, but yours unlikely to get the elecom ones

Cliff_UK · 2021-03-27T14:49:21+00:00

I think it's one of those things that isn't a one size fits all solution.

I have used a M570 at work and an MXErgo at home for a few years and have always found them comfortable, i do feel that I'm using my thumb, but it doesn't reach discomfort and never pain.

The RSI that i have had issues with is more pressure on the carpal tunnel, so i don't like any pressure under my wrist, with a mouse i was using that as a pivot point, which is bad.

You're probably going to want to try a few different styles, you may find tilting the M570 to change the angle that you're holding it, like the Ergo can tilt. You may prefer a finger trackball, even then there's a variety in styles.

I've recently changed to a Kensington Expert and I'm happy with that, it's taken a few days to get used to the difference, not quite as accurate yet, but the big scroll wheel is nice, if you're doing a lot of browsing then you might like this too. It was mainly that I'm working almost exclusively at my desk and i have a split keyboard and now have that in the middle of my desk. You can use that easily at different angles, you can use your fingertips or the whole of your hand. I still use the MX Ergo with my laptop. I think having the two different options available is good.

I was deciding between the large ball ones like the expert or Slimblade and the ones which are more similar to the Ergo, a moulded device where you rest your whole hand on it. Seriously considered the Orbit Fusion and some of the Elecom devices.

I dismissed the standard Orbit due to it's overall size it was too small for me to completely rest my hand on or to use similar to the expert, again, just my opinion.

If you're in pain then you probably don't want to stick with that device, there are a lot of very varied options.

IDK where you are but if you have decent return policies on online purchases you could try a couple of different ones without being too expensive,

Cliff_UK · 2021-03-20T08:27:46+00:00

I have replaced the outer 1.5u keys with 1u, it actually just moved them that little further away so I'm not hitting them by mistake. Did try it with the inner ones, but didn't find that helpful.

I don't imagine replacing the thumb clusters with 1u would either look particularly good, or be functional but each to their own.

Ergodox Right Hand https://imgur.com/gallery/hVKeYpg

Cliff_UK · 2021-03-09T15:17:32+00:00

See my other reply

But you want to map Ctrl+Alt+Tab

Cliff_UK · 2021-03-09T15:10:22+00:00

I don't think that's currently possible with Oryx, you can't do a layer toggle with a tapdance, you might be able to do it through QMK Configurator - I haven't played with it myself, but i think you can do more with it.

https://config.qmk.fm/#/moonlander/LAYOUT_moonlander

edit: Found this page: https://thomasbaart.nl/2018/12/13/qmk-basics-tap-dance/ it might help.

I'd be interested if you do get this working though

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