Re: IT and Health in No, I Will Not Fix Your #@$!! Computer

Re: IT and Health in No, I Will Not Fix Your #@$!! Computer http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20033816 en Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:32:34 EDT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:32:34 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20261127 John Galt :

said by Big Time

:

You like pictures of half naked fat guys, more power to you.

I think that in terms of square footage of exposed flesh that (presumed) guy is WAY more than half naked...

;)
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A is A]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20261127 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:02:09 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20258727 L1Technician : Breakfast at Mc Donalds (egg, burger steak, fried rice and hot chocolate). For lunch a pack of lunch. For dinner, i don't eat dinner actually.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20258727 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:41:02 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20224878 johnnyboyct : My knees are constantly hurting from sitting at a desk all day (insert on your knees joke here). They get aches unless I take a break every hour or so, just from sitting in the same position all day.

As a web developer, stress is always a factor, everyone needs thier app asap! Its retarded that some 2 employee company with domainnamethatsuckssobadithurtsbecauseidontwanttopay.us has to have an app 15 minutes after they put a down payment, but thats something we have to deal with. Stress can be a major issue, Ive seen people go nuts.

I dont know if its related, but in my field, Im constantly looking at new tech and stuff in my free time and you really need a passion for what you do to really make it.

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Connecticut Web Design and Development]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20224878 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:19:29 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20219046 elias : Ever since I learned to touch-type, I've used split-keyboards. Those are the only keyboards I buy.

Unfortunately, my primary computer is a laptop. So much for that.

I think a few good things to do are to get up and go for a little stroll every few hours, and every hour or so look away from the monitor at objects far and close.
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My Webmaster Gig | Crunching the Midnight Oil]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20219046 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:22:58 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20212894 tekmunki : The hardest thing to do is change not what you eat, but the amount you eat.

You've heard it all before, it's a matter fo getting the right motivation - for me it was the will live long enough to see my kids grow up and see my grandkids one day, hopefully great-grandkids. :D

The biggest change I made was cutting out cokes and sugary drinks completely. When I go to a restaurant fast food or otherwise, it's water to drink. If I'm spunky I'll get a low calorie lemonade or even a sweet tea if I need the caffiene boost - but the tea is rare.

I avoid places without low quantity or low saturated fat alternatives. I avoid fries completely. Once you re-train your body to accept lower quantities, the starving feeling goes away in about a month- just snack throughout the day on healthy foods and eat less at meal-time.

For example: Yesterday - Breakfast, I had cereal for breakfast - an apple around 10:30. Had the leftover half of a 6" sub from subway (turkey, mustard+light mayo), then I had arby's for dinner - a roast chicken club w/o the bacon. When I got home I took the dog for a walk.

The key is also to eat your dinner earlier, before 6, try not to eat after 6pm. If I get hungry that late, it's usually celery sticks and lite ranch for dipping.

I tried biking to work for a while, but I have no place to shower at work - so being in Florida (humidity) it didn't work out.

I'm down from 260 to about 230 in a matter of months. And it's not a fad diet so the lbs should 'stay off' as long as I don't drastically change my lifestyle.

BTW, I remotely admin a lot, so I'm sitting on my arse about 70% of the day... sometimes, if I get tired of sitting, I'll even walk over and handle a situation I could have remoted into--- it's often good to get some sort of social interaction with coworkers - :) regardless if they sent 5000 copies to a printer that was out of paper.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20212894 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:26:01 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20209103 wilbilt :

said by wilbilt

:

Of course. My job could be good, I have been married for 22 years and that part just keeps getting better, but good food seems to be what I'm lacking.

I drink way too much coffee, but other than that, I'd like to find an appetizing diet that satisfies.

I am not into fads and don't care for chicken. Any suggestions?

Seriously. What do you eat for a typical lunch while working?

I often sneak off at lunchtime and score an Ultimate Cheeseburger. I have a weakness for them.

Should I be packing my own lunch? If so, what?

An apple and two celery sticks ain't gonna cut it.
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We were taking a vote when the ground came up and hit us.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20209103 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:20:41 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20199781 Big Time :

said by sporkme

said by Big Time

said by sporkme

:

This can easily happen after many years in IT.

Some of us browse at work and would expect in this forum at least to not have to stumble across a picture like that. [NWS] threads are easy to avoid in other areas.

Those are man-boobs, not lady boobs. He has underwear on too. And you shouldn't be spending work time on sites like this. :)

No idea how my post got moved from Feb to March though...

You like pictures of half naked fat guys, more power to you.

That said,

Sysadmins rule: Enterprise IT grease monkeys. This forum is intended for use by Enterprise IT personnel for discussion of the unique issues and challenges faced in those environments.

Judging by the forum header, one could think this is a good place to be checking in from at work. Not expecting to see half naked fat guys in the middle of a thread. I don't have to explain anything to anyone, because most people where I am answer to me. But that's not to say I wouldn't do a double-take if I was walking by someone and saw that on the screen.

The reason your post got moved was because I "Hey Mod"'d it. It went to held by system and apparently the mods decided it was acceptable. I disagree, but that's how things roll.
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Have a nice day. Somewhere else.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20199781 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:18:50 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20197910 wilbilt :

said by L1Technician

:

Good job+Good food+Good sex = Healthy Life

Of course. My job could be good, I have been married for 22 years and that part just keeps getting better, but good food seems to be what I'm lacking.

I drink way too much coffee, but other than that, I'd like to find an appetizing diet that satisfies.

I am not into fads and don't care for chicken. Any suggestions?
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We were taking a vote when the ground came up and hit us.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20197910 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:17:46 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20196945 sporkme :

said by Big Time

said by sporkme

:

This can easily happen after many years in IT.

Some of us browse at work and would expect in this forum at least to not have to stumble across a picture like that. [NWS] threads are easy to avoid in other areas.

Those are man-boobs, not lady boobs. He has underwear on too. And you shouldn't be spending work time on sites like this. :)

No idea how my post got moved from Feb to March though...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20196945 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:32:17 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20196827 BettyPuddle :

said by L1Technician

:

Good job+Good food+Good sex = Healthy Life

LoL Amen!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20196827 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:16:22 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20027678 sporkme : This can easily happen after many years in IT.
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with every mistake we must surely be learning

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20027678 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:27:14 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20185930 Big Time :

said by sporkme

:

This can easily happen after many years in IT.

Some of us browse at work and would expect in this forum at least to not have to stumble across a picture like that. [NWS] threads are easy to avoid in other areas.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20185930 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:53:25 EDT Re: Random Thoughts http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20184644 j0nnyb1aze :

said by Test99

:

- Carpal tunnel syndrome is an occupational hazard. CAD drawing is especially bad, because everything you do involves mouse movements. If you start to experience pain, change what you are doing, or take time off if necessary. Don't let it develop into a real problem.

Actually, not to completely argue w/ that, but you'd be surprised at how much you can do in CAD (especially AutoCAD in my experience) W/O ever touching the mouse.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20184644 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:56:52 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20175257 tenex : At our organization we typically have a membership at the gym within our building. Since there aren't many of us on the IT team locally, we tend to run around a lot and our fast response is valued. I think I'm in the best health of my life, to be honest.

It really is all in what you make of it. If you are relegated to a cubicle (nothing wrong with that at all), then join a gym if you can find the time.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20175257 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:13:51 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20160170 L1Technician : Good job+Good food+Good sex = Healthy Life]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20160170 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:26:49 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20071580 port9 : I'm far from the perfect model of human health, but I am doing ok. Starting to exercise more. I think I eat ok enough. My vision was wrecked from day one, had glasses in kindergarten. My wrist feel ok for the most part. my hearing is going early but it was bound to happen (Sound engineer for concert company/race car tuning). ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20071580 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:40:04 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20071237 DemonicLlama : I think it depends on what you do as IT. For me I spend more time running cables and replacing parts on a computer than i do staring at a screen and typing/installing(mainly cause I know most of the installation procedures by memory). But yes Physical exercise after work(even a 15 minute walk outside) helps a lot.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20071237 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:43:59 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20070377 BettyPuddle : I'm still young, but I've always been okay. In fact, waitressing was harder on my wrists than anything, and I still keep in shape. I've never needed glasses, and only one out of the entire team I worked with last year (team of 8 of us). All had been in IT for years. I think it depends on your general health, get a dog to keep you busy - that helps me a lot ;)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20070377 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:09:26 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20067454 wilbilt : After seven years here, my vision has deteriorated and arthritis is setting in. No Carpal Tunnel that I know of, but never learning proper keyboarding skills has probably helped that ;)

A few years ago, they bought me a gaussmeter and wanted me to go around and document mG levels around CRT displays and UPS units. Everything checked out fine, except for the area around my own desk (about 8 feet away from the main AC panel for a site). 25-50 milligauss at my desk on average. I try not to spend much time there.

Hell, I'm 45 years old and spent 20 years of my former life inhaling asbestos brake dust for a living. Who wants to live forever anyway?
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We were taking a vote when the ground came up and hit us.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20067454 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:40:03 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20062152 Zyncotl :

said by PToN

:

my vision has gotten worse and carpal tunnel is always there..

Ye need to stop fondling yourself lovingly. It'll help with the hairy palm syndrom too.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20062152 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:53:30 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20039044 nixen :

said by Tzale

:

Say what you want, but I feel healthier than sitting on a PC all day with little activity, and the weight is going down gradually. Mind > Body.

-Tzale

Sorry, not trying to denigrate your accomplishment: just trying to say, "be careful."
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The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20039044 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:09:39 EDT Re: Random Thoughts http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20038572 legendNYC :

said by Test99

:

- According to reports, programmers have a higher tolerance for psychological pain than the average person. A lot of that psychological pain comes from trying to understand inadequate documentation.

Really?! That sounds like an urban legend.
Do you have a reference. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20038572 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:49:50 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20037812 Tzale :

said by nixen

said by Tzale

said by sporkme

:

This can easily happen after many years in IT.

Oof: crash weight loss... Generally not a key to lasting weight loss.

Say what you want, but I feel healthier than sitting on a PC all day with little activity, and the weight is going down gradually. Mind > Body.

-Tzale
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Neoconservatives (G.W.B) are not real conservatives. A conservative believes in defending the Constitution. First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. - RON PAUL 2008 »www.usconstitution.net/const.html
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20037812 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:44:40 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20035591 nixen :

said by Tzale

said by sporkme

:

This can easily happen after many years in IT.

Oof: crash weight loss... Generally not a key to lasting weight loss.
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The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20035591 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:32:44 EDT Re: Random Thoughts http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20035503 tekmunki : I've found using Gel wrist supports for the keyboard AND a seperate one for the mouse does wonders. If I don't use them I usually get pains in my wrists within the first 5 minutes, without - it's usually felt, but tolerable.

No surgeries yet- but I can see it happening eventually.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20035503 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:08:02 EDT Re: Random Thoughts http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20034992 Test99 :

said by sporkme

:

Maybe it's an obvious question, but what are the early signs of carpal tunnel? I spend quite a bit of time on a keyboard, but am a very light mouser. I haven't ever had any hand pain... Good sign?

I may be using the term "carpal tunnel syndrome" loosely. But for me the warning sign is pain (in the lower arm near the wrist and in the muscles that operate the little finger) when I perform mouse or keyboard actions. It's a very clear-cut pain that says in no uncertain terms: "stop doing that".

I've never had a problem that a day or two of rest didn't fix. But I know someone who tried to work through the pain and ended up having to quit her job at a time when she couldn't afford to do that. Ignoring pain is nearly always a bad idea.

Yes, it's a good sign if you haven't experienced that sort of pain. Hope it stays that way. :)
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50775@fwd.pulver.com]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20034992 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:06:47 EDT Re: Random Thoughts http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20034930 sporkme :

said by Test99

Maybe it's an obvious question, but what are the early signs of carpal tunnel? I spend quite a bit of time on a keyboard, but am a very light mouser. I haven't ever had any hand pain... Good sign?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20034930 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:41:32 EDT Random Thoughts http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20034856 Test99 : - Carpal tunnel syndrome is an occupational hazard. CAD drawing is especially bad, because everything you do involves mouse movements. If you start to experience pain, change what you are doing, or take time off if necessary. Don't let it develop into a real problem.

- From what I've read, programmers and bus drivers have the highest incidence of colon cancer. None of my programmer friends has developed colon cancer though.

- If you get into the habit of exercising regularly, the habit should stay with you for a lifetime. Risk of weight gain starts at around age 30, when production of growth hormone drops off. Fighting weight gain is never easy, but keep at it. Don't wait until you have a lot of weight to lose. Then it's really hard work.

- According to reports, programmers have a higher tolerance for psychological pain than the average person. A lot of that psychological pain comes from trying to understand inadequate documentation.

- Learning new skills is a never-ending task. The programming skills that are most in demand one year will almost certainly be obsolete five years later.

- Computing is a boom-and-bust industry. At the high points you'll get three job offers in one day. At the low points you'll struggle to find work. It helps to have more than one skill set. For example, when there are no programming jobs, there may be system administration jobs available.
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50775@fwd.pulver.com]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20034856 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:14:58 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20034533 Tzale :

said by sporkme

:

This can easily happen after many years in IT.

Looks like me... Good thing I'm exercising and lost 22 pounds in 5 weeks. ;) My weight probably was definitely brought on from long days sitting at the computer + eating bad foods... But now that I exercise an hour or two everyday and eat better, I find that IT + exercise is healthy.

Anyway, that guy wouldn't happen to be you? :D

-Tzale ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20034533 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:53:25 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20034097 Kiwi : Or/ You could combine both IT & Health :D
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384 BC.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20034097 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:41:48 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20033816 PTS : I wear glasses, but I was blind to begin with. Bad knees, but I chased fighter jets for a living before reentering the IT world.

Stay away from too much sugar and caffeine, and remember the phrase "drive me to drink" isn't supposed to be literal...
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"You can get more with a kind word and a two-by-four than you can with just a kind word." - Marcus Cole]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20033816 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:02:58 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20032228 nixen : My first carpal tunnel release surgery was at age 19 - well before I was working professionally in IT. I got the other one done at age 30.

Other than that, I'm fairly healthy - far more than a lot of my peers. At age 38, and without a lot of real effort, I'm in better shape than most of the guys I work with who are 5-10 years younger than me. Granted, my eyes are a touch blurrier and my fingers are a touch arthritic, but that's called "aging". Not much I can do to prevent that. Any of the weight that I had gained over the years was due to medications I had been on. I've since lost that due to having changed medications.

There's nothing intrinsic to IT that *forces* you to become the giant pant-load pictured above. Living on fast-food, out of vending machines, etc. causes that. Unfortunately, if you do shift-work, that tends to be a really easy pattern to fall into. If you just stick to eating good food in sane portions, you'll stay healthy. Fortunately, I've found that good food tends to leave me far less hungry than crap food does.
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The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20032228 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:33:18 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20031266 Boricua65 : I got carpal tunnel? working data entry in the 90s and wore glasses since 7th grade. How's that for great health :D.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20031266 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:05:53 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20029818 boognish : I sit around a lot more for longer periods of time at my job than I previously ever have. I can sit at my desk 8-12 hours straight working except for having to take a bathroom break or lunch break. I do have the occasional hardware install or wire trace that makes me get up, but the duration of doing something like that is not very long. I have had to increase my exercise routine after work to counteract the effects. I haven't had a problem with vision or carpal tunnel.
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don't get 2 close 2 my fantasy]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20029818 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:27:38 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20029606 PToN : my vision has gotten worse and carpal tunnel is always there..]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20029606 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:55:01 EDT Re: IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20027966 tekmunki : Srsly?

No matter what occupation you choose, there's always some sort of health risk or physical drain involved-

Excersize to compensate for the time in the chair, use proper posture and ergo devices, avoid unhealthy temptations such as drinking sugary drinks or snacks while working at the PC, use prescribed computer glasses if your eyes bother you over time (not to mention setting fast refresh rates to ease the eyes).

A typical day in my life at work involves about 70% in-chair remote administration work, 20% meetings and travel and MAYBE 10% actual physical labor -and usually only when something in premise wiring or server level breaks.

Bottom line is- no matter what you do as a day-job- the decisions you make decide your physical well-being - not your job.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20027966 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:05:59 EDT IT and Health http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20027539 Midnightpyro : I might be asking one of the strangest questions that has ever been posed to a group of IT people, but I figure I should ask it anyway.

I'm a first year computer science major, and so far, I like what I'm doing. I'm a bit worried about life after college though. Not so much will I like what I'm doing, but will I be able to do it without falling apart?

I'm pretty sure my future won't entail 8 hour days of sitting in a dimly lit cubicle cranking out code, but I was wondering what exactly some of your typical days were like? Where do you spend your time?

The second part of my question would be about health issues. Using the computer for a living obviously has some health risks (tendinitis, carpal tunnel, vision problems). Can anyone whose worked in the field comment on these types of things - whether you've had them, how to avoid them, even advice on "ergonomic" solutions?

I know my question is a little bit bizarre, but thanks in advance for answering :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20027539 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:33:35 EDT