FWIW Looking down at a book or at the paper in a typewriter involves fixing/focusing on paper and moving your eyes back and forth. One doesn't *stare* in just the same way. There is no way a book, or a piece of paper in a typewriter sucks you in, grasps your whole attention, your whole self like the work we do at a computer screen does. (I'm a translator and I read and write all day.) Looking at a monitor involves not being able to focus on a precise point in space, (as on the surface of a piece of paper), the characters are, in fact virtual and moving, and our eyes are constantly focusing back and forth on something which isn't really there. This focusing back and forth on the virtual plane is at an unconscious level though I don't know the facts and details.
The version I have is the standard is you look straight ahead and you should see the top of the screen. (seems lower than what other people are suggesting). Also, LCD monitors are one thing, standard monitors are another. This constantly focusing on a virtual bunch of characters apparently does not occur with LCD's. I wear glasses and when I'm worried about the strain I park a good heavy book on my head, an old Encyclopedia Britannica volume in fact, and close my eyes and find the balance point. It proves to be relaxing. I also put my monitor (an LCD) on a pile of books (some more EB volumes) and go changing them now and again just in case I find a better height. The strain I believe comes from the sets of neck muscles pulling out of sync. Ideally, one muscle contracts and when in sync the opposite muscle relaxes. I'm guessing that our being wrapped up in what we are doing to an extent that is just plain unhealthy and unnatural is the real culprit. HTH. Virginia Wittmann Freelance Translator Buenos Aires, Argentina >Does anyone use one of those setups where the monitor is slightly below >the keyboard's level, so the user peers down at the screen--like the good >old days, when we look down, not straight ahead, at our typewriters? As >it is, with the machine and monitor on a standard desk, I usually get a >cramp in my neck. ___________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe send a mail message with a SUBJECT line of "unsubscribe" to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> or <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
