I had similar intense pains about 7 years ago but am mostly pain-free now. I used a Microsoft Natural for many years but now use a TypeMatrix.

Initial thoughts:

* The mouse is evil. Don’t use it unless absolutely necessary.
* Chording is hard on the nerves. Use two hands for ctrl-X, C, etc. when possible.
* Stretch your hands and arms.
* Take breaks often.

I’ve written some other thoughts here.

I switched to Dvorak a year-and-a-half ago for this very reason. Doesn’t directly answer the keyboard question, but Dvorak has helped me.

I agree with Geoffrey regarding the mouse. My perfect keyboard – don’t know if it is available – would be ergonomically cool with a MPB touchpad just in front of it.

Best of luck….

Geoffrey,

Thank you so much for your advice…

BTW, I did blog about your workstation
http://www.hendyirawan.com/2007/07/11/geoffrey-grosenbachs-workstation/

Check out the new Apple keyboard: http://www.apple.com/keyboard

I got one today and I _love_ it.

I’m using the same Microsoft keyboard, it was also the best around here for that price.

One thing what i don’t like so much is a little to big space button, so Alt-gr is a little too far away (i have mapped some symbols under level 3).

However, I’m using linux, so I can remap keys heavily and suggest you also investigate about remapping (the best one is remap Caps Lock to Ctrl => you never want go back .

Good luck,
Priit

Thanks Geoffrey, Ken, Jeremy, and Priit for all your input

So the final verdict is I’ll be switching to DVORAK immediately after I print this keyboard layout.. there’s no printer lying around here.

The preferred keyboard for the time being is still MS Curve, as Priit also suggested..

By the way, take a look to http://colemark.com , it’s a newer than dvorak and much newer than qwerty, it keeps copy-paste keys to the same place.

However for me, I’m using “hand-made” layout inspired by dvorak and colemark, because dvorak is optimized for English only, so it didn’t fit well with my native Estonian language. I don’t recommend to start playing with hand-made layout unless you really are fanatic

Thank you Priit…

I’ve tried Colemak (http://www.colemak.com, not colemark) and even installed it on my KTouch tutor… Very nice. will be learning it starting tonight I hope

The Caps turning to Backspace is AWESOME. I love that idea!!

Thanks for all the suggestions. You’ve all been *VERY* much helpful

I like my Enermax Aurora, unique design
http://www.enermax.com.tw/english/product_peripherals_detail.asp?PrID=48

Flickr says the photo is offensive – to the german audience

hendy, we live in a primitive world (

http://ariekusumaatmaja.wordpress.com/?s=keyboard

I used Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 for some months and i really like it!
Later i decided to switch to a Logitech Cordless Desktop® S 530 Laser for Mac (keyboard + mouse) and i fell in love … keys are perfect and mouse is great (there is also windows version).

Actually Logitech 530 is more expensive than Microsoft Comfort Curve … but by now i’m really happy with it. I’m really happy of my decision.

The only ‘bad’ about Logitech 530 id the driver for mac … but the keyboard is fantastic

I really like the Goldtouch split keyboard. I’ve been using one for years since my RSI got really bad. It’s not so funky as to require extensive retraining, but it’s also nice and adjustable along all axes.

Btw, here’s my RSI fighting regimen. Keeps me pretty much pain free:
-Good hand posture, elbows at 90 degrees. This is #1.
-Good ergo chair, or even better, a standing desk.
-Fish oil supplements
-Lots of stretching, including stretching the back and core

Hello-

I can recommend the Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional

http://pfuca-store.stores.yahoo.net/haphackeyser.html

The touch is great – old style clickety-click, not a mushy rubber feel. Plus it has a control key where capslock usually is which is great if you’re an emacs user. Takes a while to get used to the arrow keys which require hitting the “Fn” button, but I really like it, and my wrist pain is gone.

[...] To Chris Maxwell, Geoffrey Grosenbach, Ken Barker, Jeremy McAnally, Priit Tamboom, Christoph Blank, Roland, Arie Kusuma Atmaja, Simone Dall’Angelo, Scott Persinger, Greg Lappen, and Adara, thank you so much for helping and giving me suggestions regarding my call for keyboard recommendations. [...]

I am using the Curve 2000 1 year now , and am happy as can be with it , the keys are swift and nice to the touch, great responds to the pressing etc. 
Big benefit is that the price is so low that i have 3 of them, at work at home and one for the laptop in the livingroom ….