Contour Design's Contour Mouse
The Contour Design mouse isn't very pretty. In fact, it's odd-lookingand oversized. Sure, I got the typical comments from *other* users whospied the mouse on my desk. "Ooh, what is it?," said one brilliantobserver. "Are you sure it's big enough?," asked one male user. "Itfeels weird," exclaimed my 12-year-old daughter.  I have news for them. It's bigger, it's better and best of all, mywrist doesn't hurt anymore! I have no intent to go back to a regularmouse, either! Contour Design's Contour Mouse defines ergonomics in theworkplace and at home.
Available in five different sizes from extra small to extra large (forright handers and lefties), everyone from Baby Bear to Shaquille O'Nealwould feel comfy using the three-button Contour Design mouse with itstilted palm, elevated wrist, and thumb support. It's the sculptedelevated buttons that allow your hands to remain open with fingersextended for ready mouse action. Unlike a traditional mouse, the Contour Mouse is designed for your openhand. By mousing this way, it's supposed to reduce the wear and tear,strain and injury to your hands and wrists. I was a little skeptical atfirst because it felt very different than the regular mouse that I wasaccustomed to on my Power Mac. In this case, different is good. As you can guess, I log a ton of hours on the computer writing abouttechnology and reviewing software. Although not officially diagnosedwith Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, the factors leading to Repetitive StrainInjuries (RSI) were present. I was really interested to put the ContourDesign mouse to the test. The pain in my right wrist and tingling (up to my elbow) disappearedafter about a week of regularly using the Contour Design mouse. Ofcourse, your mileage may vary and although this mouse is ergonomic, inno way does it promise to erase RSI or Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Once you tweak with your mouse and go ergonomic, it's probably a goodidea to take a look around at your office furniture, whether youcompute from your home or your workplace. This may include adustingyour chair to the right height, keeping the computer monitor 18-30inches away from your eyes with the top of the monitor at eye level andrearranging the stuff on your desk (including your Dilbert doll andbeanie babies) to minimize reaching. Beware of the old saying: oldhabits die hard. It IS a tough adjustment and you may have to try abunch of combinations with your system and furniture to make it workfor you. Frequent breaks off the computer help, although I know it'seasy to say and a difficult thing to practice. Available for Mac and PC platforms, the right way to pick the best sizemouse for your hand is by measuring your hand from the first crease ofyour wrist...Contour Design's instructions are easy to understand. Iordered a Medium size and would suggest that if there's any doubt aboutyour hand measurement, you select the larger size. A simple installation disk (on floppy disk), together with programmablebuttoms which let you set the keys for double click, drag lock, autospace, zoom an other handy functions. The buttons can, of course, beset to perform tasks in different operations. The PC version has a suggested retail price of $79.95 for right handlarge, medium and small; prices for other PC versions vary. TheMacintosh version is priced at $89.95 direct from Contour Designs.
For more of Tina's in-depth reviews on software, hardware and computer stuff,be sure to visit The REVIEW ZONE.
http://www.TheReviewZone.com
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