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Welcome to a new edition of "Your Web Connection". We're glad you stopped by. Terry and I are looking forward to a new crop of columns for your enjoyment. For a recap, here's what we have planned for the next few issues of "Your Web Connection."

• May:  We'll look at home networking fundamentals. It is a growing trend, now that many households have more than one computer. Why not share resources (printers, Internet connections, etc.) like you do in the workplace?
• June:  We're going to look at different travel and cruise sites on the Net since we'll just be back from our Western Caribbean 10^th Anniversary cruise. It's getting easier and easier to plan all aspects of your next trip right from the comfort of your home or office.
• July:  More and more of us are working at home. What's the best way to set up your home office? We'll take a look at some resources available to you on the Net.
• August:  Terry will be taking over the column and talking about some of her favorite sites on the Net.
• September:  The column will be devoted to search engines and how to find what you're looking for. There is a lot of frustration out there when using a search engine. 

We hope you enjoy the coming line up. If you have suggestions for future topics, please drop us a line. We love hearing from our readers. This is an interactive column. It takes feedback from our readers for this column to succeed.

* * * *

Starting with the new issues of the year 2000, we've cut out most of the personal news and stayed focused on the content of the column. But for my "outside of the DFW area" readers we've decided to include a little news. I'm sure most of you have heard about the tornado that hit the Fort Worth area on March 28, 2000 and know that we live in Fort Worth. Yes the twister came very close to us, but we didn't sustain any appreciable damage except what you see in the pictures below. We were very lucky, others Fort Worth weren't.

We were much more fortunate than many in the harder hit areas. In fact, in our neighborhood, only 3 or 4 houses sustained minor damage. Some with fences blown down, some with shingles ripped up, and, what looks the worst, our tree blown down. It was a 35 foot tall Bradford Pear and the neighborhood's favorite tree. Terry planted it over 10 years ago and it was almost perfectly formed. When it split, it fell toward the street. If it would have fallen any other way, there would have been a lot substantial damage to either our house, Terry's car or our neighbor's car.

We just want to let everyone know that we are OK and all of the "children" weathered the storm as well. We're very sad to loose our beautiful tree, but the tree can and will be replanted. The storm was an experience that I never want to go through again. One of my uncles called from Oklahoma and said, "I hear you had a little tornado down there." Since ours was rated a F2, and he's been through several F3's and 4's, it was just a little one to him. Don't get me wrong, he was being very sincere and not downplaying Fort Worth's loss, he was just saying he was glad it wasn't the big one that has been predicted for many years to hit our area. It was little to him, but to the folks of the metroplex, it was the biggest thing they've ever seen. Our thought and prayers go out to all that had losses to their homes, property and families.

* * * *

For this issue, we're going to be talking about ergonomics. The material will be taken from a seminar I presented in March for the "CyberSIG", a Fort Worth based computer user's group. Most of the material is directed at the traditional office worker, but all of the suggestions can be adapted to the home computing environment at well. The objective of the seminar was to show how to work more comfortably in the home or office computing environment. The content of the seminar was developed by Kensington Technologies and all research and statistics are attributed to them. 

Ergonomics

We're going to be talking about ergonomics and ergonomic products and how they are to be used properly to gain the greatest benefit. We'll also be talking about how to properly set up your work station.

First off let's define what ergonomics is. We'll start with the "classic" definition of the term, then break it down into simpler terms.

"The study of the problems of people in adjusting to their environment; especially the science that seeks to adapt work or working conditions to suit the worker."

To break it down in simpler terms:

"Designing the work environment to insure the comfort, health, and safety of all workers."

In today's workplace, the average worker faces increasing stress. The following statistics back this up.

• 29% of US workers report overall comfort and design of their workplace as being a source of stress.
• 60% of US workers experience at least one of these types of physical symptom on a weekly basis.
  • 35% eye strain
  • 32% back pain
  • 25% neck pain
  • 20% shoulder pain
  • 16% wrist pain

All of this increasing stress is costing businesses around 20 billion dollars a year. Repetitive stress injuries account for 63% of all employee injuries. Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs), which we'll be talking a lot about, are caused from repetitive motion, pressure on nerves and muscles and awkward body positioning.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Probably the most well known CTD is carpal tunnel syndrome. A good way to feel your carpal tunnel nerves is to hold one of your hands up and with your other hand wrap three fingers around your wrist while wiggling your fingers.

The symptoms of carpal tunnel can begin simply as a tingling or numbness in the thumb and first finger and then progressively get worse. I can speak from experience since I had carpal tunnel releases done on both wrists last year. It was probably the best medical decision I've ever  made. I was in constant pain at night, waking up several times with intense pain in my arms.

It is interesting to note that there were two major developments over the past 20 years that contributed to increased CTDs in the workplace. One was the demise of the typewriter and the other was "no smoking" in the workplace.

Demise of the typewriter

Remember the typewriter? Using a typewriter, it was physically impossible to stay in the same position for hours at a time. Paper had to be changed and manual corrections had to be made. With today's computers and word processors, you can sit hours upon hours without ever moving.

Smokey flashback

Remember when you could smoke at your desk? While smoking you were always moving about reaching out picking up a cigarette, then putting it back down. At least, while smoking, you were moving around. You had to stop what you were doing to take a smoke break.

Ergonomic Products

We'll now turn our discussion to the different ergonomic products that are available to us in the workplace. These products are being designed with our well being in mind enabling us to do our job in a more productive manner.

"Your Current Chair"

Today the selection of chairs available to you can be overwhelming. There are so many different types with an equal number of different features. How do you know what type to get? First off, as everyone knows, you pay for what you get. If you buy a $29.95 chair, it is going to sit like a $29.95 chair. But in the same vein, you don't need to go out and buy a $750 chair if you don't need it and are only going to be sitting in it a few hours a day. If you are like me, and your are at your desk 8 - 10 hours a day, then you just may need a chair of that level of quality.

Here's a quick test to see if your current chair fits you:

To determine if your current chair fits you, sit with your back straight in the chair and with your feet flat on the floor. Then make a fist and see if you can put your fist between the back of your knee and the front edge of the chair. If you can, the chair fits you. If you can't, there are several inexpensive solutions to correct the problem.

If your chair doesn't fit you, you can use the following inexpensive solutions.

Footrests

A foot rest makes you prop your feet up at an angle and forces you to sit back in the chair. Your shoulders go back and your spine straightens.

A few notes: The footrest must be at an angle. A box or telephone book will not work. Adjustable footrests enable shorter individuals to get the height adjustment they need. Anyone 5' tall or shorter will most often need a footrest to enable their feet to touch the floor. If your legs dangle from the edge of the chair, circulation could be cut off.

Backrests

Using a backrest can make even the most uncomfortable chair tolerable. To someone who has a tendency to lean forward in their chair, perch on the edge of the seat of the chair or is under 5' in height, a backrest is the solution to fill the space.

Upper back cushions normally come in a flat or curved shape. Some are designed as a lumbar support and they look like a half rolled up pillow.

To summarize, foot and backrests do the following:

• They put your body into a more neutral position
• They reduce neck strain and back pain
• They are normally adjustable to your personal preference

"Monitor High's & Low's"

There are so many  incorrectly positioned monitors out in the workplace, I hope this section lends some insight on how you should position your monitor to prevent neck, shoulder or back pain.

• Your monitor should be positioned directly in front of you. You shouldn't have to look up or down, or lean to the left or right.
• The monitor should be just below eye level. If you wear bifocals or trifocals, you need to consult your optician for advice on monitor positioning.
• If your monitor is too high, it may be because it is placed on top of your CPU. Move the CPU to the floor to lower your monitor.
• If the monitor is too low, there are several solutions.
  • A phone book or reams of paper can be a quick temporary solution.
  • A monitor stand is a more permanent solution. Some are adjustable while others are stationary.
• The monitor should be about 24" or an arm's length from your face.
• Monitor arms are another solution. These can be expensive but can be well worth the investment if this the solution you need.
  • They are very adjustable and provide eye level viewing of the monitor.
  • They also reduce neck strain and back pain and maximize your desk space since the monitor isn't sitting on your desk.

"Glare - Glare Everywhere"

Carrying on with our discussion of monitors, let's talk a little bit about glare in the workplace.

• Most eyestrain comes from the harsh white light emanating from today's monitors. Due to advances in technologies, today's monitors are brighter than ever and workers are paying for it with increased eye strain.
• Over head light reflection can cause glare, as can positioning a monitor facing a window. One solution is to move the monitor if you can. If repositioning the monitor is not an option, you might consider a glare screen.

Kensington Technologies conducted an interesting study through Cornell University at a Hewlett Packard facility in Arizona. The study concluded that when a glare filter was put onto their monitor, workers experienced a significant reduction of the following symptoms:

• 80% of users reported that the filter made it easier to read their screens
• More than 50% said that the filter helped their productivity
• 75% reported glare problems before filter use
•  89% said the filters improved the quality of the screen image by enhancing sharpness, contrast, color and brightness
• 34% said there was less screen flicker with the filter in place

I was curious about this as I have never been a fan of anti-glare filters. To research ergonomics, I decided to put one in place on my monitor at work. In my office, I have very harsh, bright fluorescent lighting. After the first day, I was totally amazed at the results. My eyes were much more rested and relaxed. The filter is now a permanent fixture on my monitor.

"Hold That Copy Where!"

Let's now talk a little bit about copy stands or copy holders. The copy you are typing from should be at the same level as the monitor screen.

• Your head should not have to move up and down or side to side.
• Your eyes should move - not the rest of your body to reduce strain.

There are many copy holders on the market. Some attach to the monitor, while others are free standing. The amount of time you spend typing will determine the size and type you need.

Copy holders:

• Position the copy at eye level
• Reduce neck and eye strain
• Conserves desktop space

"Hand Wrist & More"

When in front of your computer, your arms should be at a 90 degree angle when typing or using the mouse. Of course this may mean raising or lowering your chair or adding a keyboard tray to your desk if it doesn't already have one.

A wristrest is essential for support when you are not typing or when you are taking a break. Your wrists should never rest on a sharp edge of the desk. This could and will cut off circulation. To summarize, wristrests:

• Support your wrists in a neutral position
• They reduce wrist and shoulder pain
• There are either gel or pillow types available depending upon your preference

Wrap Up

Ergonomics is to simply design the work environment to insure the comfort, health, and safety of all workers. CTDs (cumulative trauma disorders) do not stop with the use of wristrests, backrests and footrests. Any task that entails repetitive motion should be addressed. Repetitive strain injuries don't just occur in the office environment, they can happen in many different industries, such as assembly lines, postal jobs, and trucking.

If you are comfortable in your work environment, you are 20% more productive than someone who is uncomfortable. For the employer, every $1.00 spent on improving work conditions ergonomically, returns $4.00!

That wraps up my discussion on ergonomics. I hope I have helped you learn how to make your working environment fit you instead of you trying to adapt yourself to your present workplace. I know I have learned much while researching the subject.

Net-Humor and Life's Ponderances

It's now time to laugh a bit and hopefully get a few chuckles. We've got a couple of fun quizzes that shouldn't take too long to answer. Have fun with them!

Official Baby Boomers Qualifying Exam

QUESTION #1:  Name the Beatles - both the first and last name of each, of course. Consider this a warm-up. [If you can't answer this one without thinking, close up the test, and move on to something else. We have
nothing further to discuss.] _________________________________________ 

QUESTION #2:  Finish the line: "Lions and tigers and bears,_ __!" Admittedly, this came along before we boomers were born. But we remember it from both the movies and the boob tube. 

QUESTION #3:  "Hey kids, what time is it?" ____ _____ _____ ____. 

QUESTION #4:  What do M & M's do? ____ __ ____ _____, ___ __ ____ ____. 

QUESTION #5:  What helps build strong bodies 12 ways? ______ _____. 

QUESTION #6:  Long before he was "Mohammed Ali," before he was "The Greatest," we knew him as _________ ______. 

QUESTION #7:  "You'll wonder where the yellow went, ________________________." 

QUESTION #8:  Those post-baby boomers, or baby boomer wannabes, know Bob Denver as the Skipper's little buddy." But true boomers know that Bob Denver is actually Dobie's closest friend, _______ _. _____. 

QUESTION #9:  "M-I-C: See ya' real soon; K-E-Y... ___? _______ __ ____ ___. _ _ _ _ _!" 

QUESTION #10:  Definition: A "streaker" is someone who might go running through the lobby of the girls' dormitory, _____. 

QUESTION #11:  "Brylcream... _ ______ ___'__ __ __." 

QUESTION #12:  Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone ____ __. 

QUESTION #13:  From the early days of our music, real rock 'n roll, finish this line: "I wonder, wonder, wonder... wonder who; ___ ____ ___ ____ __ ____?" 

QUESTION #14:  And while we're remembering rock n' roll, try this one: "War... uh-huh, huh... yea; what is it good for? ___________ ____________." 

QUESTION #15:  This is from a kinder and gentler protest song, but the question is just as profound: Where have all the flowers gone? Perhaps you could use a little help here: "Where have all the flowers gone, long
time passing? Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago? Where have all the flowers gone? _____ _____ ______ ____ _____ ___." 

QUESTION #16:  Meanwhile, back home in Metropolis, Superman fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and ___ ________ ___. 

QUESTION #17:  He came out of the University of Alabama, to became one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. Later, he went on to appear in a TV commercial wearing women's stockings. He is Broadway _________. 

QUESTION #18:  "I'm Popeye the sailor man; I'm Popeye the sailor man. I'm strong to the finish, ____ _ ___ __ _______. I'm Popeye the sailor man."

QUESTION #19:  Your children probably recall that Peter Pan was most recently played by Robin Williams, but we will always remember when Peter was played by ____ ______. 

QUESTION #20:  In the movie, The Graduate, young Benjamin, played by Dustin Hoffman, was counseled about his future, and told to consider one thing: ________. 

QUESTION #21:  In another movie from the late sixties, Paul Newman played Luke, a ne'er-do- well who was sent to a prison camp for cutting off the heads of parking meters with a pipe cutter. When he was captured after an unsuccessful escape attempt, the camp commander (played by Strother Martin) used this experience as a lesson for the other prisoners, explaining, "What we have here is _ _______ __ ___________." 

QUESTION #22:  In 1962, a dejected politician chastised the press after losing a race for governor while announcing his retirement from politics. "Just think, you won't have _______ _____ to kick around any more." 

QUESTION #23:  "Every morning, at the mine, you could see him arrive; He stood six foot six, and weighed 245. Kinda' broad at the shoulder, and narrow at the hip. And everybody knew you didn't give no lip, __ ___ ____, ___ ___ ____." 

QUESTION #24:  "I found my thrill, __ _________ ____." You may remember Richie Cunningham saying this. But if you are a true boomer, you know it was ____ ______ who made this line famous. 

QUESTION #25:  "Good night, Mrs. Calabash, _________ ___ ___." This originated long before even the first of us boomers was born. But in order to be a true baby boomer, you have to have some breadth. 

QUESTION #26:  "Good night, David." "____ _____, ____."

Name that TV Show!!!

Following are the first lines to the theme songs from
well-known T.V. shows. Can you name them? Answers are below. But don't cheat...see how many you actually know!

a)  Come and knock on our door
b)  Welcome back, your dreams were your ticket out
c)  Baby if you've ever wondered, wondered whatever
became of me
d)  Here we come, walkin down the street
e)  Diamonds, Daisies, Snowflakes
f)  I used to be sad, I used to be shy
g)  Boy the way Glenn Miller played
h)  Let the time flow, let the love grow
i)  Chico, don't be discouraged
j)  Now the world don't move, to the beat of just one drum
k) Well. we're movin on up
l)  1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
m)  Love, exciting and new
n)  Lady Godiva was a freedom rider
o)  This is it, this is it
p)  Hello world here's a song that we're singing
q)  Making your way in the world today, takes everything you got
r)  You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both & then you get
s)  Whatever happened to predictability?
t)  Look at what's happened to me, I can't believe it myself
u)  Show me that smile again, show me that smile
v)  I've been down this road, walking the line that's painted by pride
w)  Don't go to bed, with no price on your head
x)  There's a magic in the early morning we found
y)  Well, I'm not the kind to kiss and tell, but I've been seen with Farrah
z)  Some walk by night, some fly by day

Answers To Baby Boomer Quiz

1. John, Paul, George and Ringo
2. oh, my
3. It's Howdy Doody Time!
4. Melt in your mouth, not in your hands
5. Wonder Bread
6. Cassius Clay
7. When you brush your teeth with Pepsident
8. Maynard G. Krebs
9. Why? Because we like you! M-O-U-S-E
10. naked
11. A little dab 'll do ya
12. Over 30.
13. Who wrote the Book of Love
14. Absolutely nothing
15. Gone to young girls every one
16. The American way
17. Joe Namath
18. 'cause I eat me spinach
19. Mary Martin
20. Plastics
21. A failure to communicate
22. Dick Nixon
23. To Big John, Big Bad John
24. On Blueberry Hill, Fats Domino
25. Wherever you are
26. Good night, Chet

Answers To "Name That TV Show"

a)  Three's Company
b)  Welcome Back Kotter
c)  WKRP in Cinncinati
d)  The Monkees
e)  That Girl
f)  Alice
g)  All in the Family
h)  Angie
i)  Chico and the Man
j)  Different Strokes
k)  The Jeffersons
l)  Laverne and Shirley
m)  The Love Boat
n)  Maude
o)  One Day at a Time
p)  The Partridge Family
q)  Cheers
r)  The Facts of Life
s)  Full House
t)  Greatest American Hero
u)  Growing Pains
v)  Ally McBeal
w)  Baretta
x)  Eight is Enough
y)  The Fall Guy
z)  Moonlighting

Thanks for stopping by. If you'd like to be added to our email notification list that will let you know when our column is updated, just let us know. We'll be glad to add your name to our list. The list is private, so you don't have to worry about your email address getting out. Because we use a very good GroupMail program, the notification letter has only your email address on it so no one knows who else is on the list.

If there is a topic or site you'd like to see covered in the future, let us know and we'll take a look at it. We'll be back the first Monday of May with our column on home networking fundamentals. Have a great month.

Created by Chuck and Terry Mencke

Send mail to Chuck & Terry

URL: http://www.star-telegram.com/archive/webback/2000/conn0403.htm