Sony ICD-BP150VTP Dragon Naturally Speaking 6 Users Guide - Page 183

14 C H A P T E R Healthy Computing The best way to stay healthy at your computer is to stay relaxed. Many of us tense up around computers. Cultivating calmness will make your computer much more comfortable to use. Equally important is choosing the right equipment and positioning it to fit your body. Your keyboard, mouse, monitor, and chair should be set up to cause minimal strain. Voice care is also vital. Radio announcers and disc jockeys depend on their voices for their livelihood. Using speech recognition, you're also depending on your voice. Ergonomics and posture Good ergonomics-setting up your equipment to properly fit your body-are essential for healthy computing. Adjusting your monitor or keyboard even an inch or two can make a big difference by reducing tension in your neck, shoulders, and hands. If you're already experiencing pain or discomfort while typing, consult a qualified health professional. When adjusting your workstation, comfort should be your main guide. The suggestions that follow work for most people. A good ergonomic setup for speech recognition is the same as a good setup for typing. Set your chair height so that your feet are flat on the ground and your hips are an inch or two above your knees. If the chair is the proper height, your body weight will be supported partly by your feet and partly by the chair seat. Dragon NaturallySpeaking User's Guide 175