- Learning to type better (I still suck, but speed is fast enough, and I don't get a soar neck or fingers from my previous glance at KB then back to monitor and smash keys)
- Positioning top of monitor to eye level
- Gradually transitioning from programming through rapid trial and error, to building and exploring logical models of programs in my head, then type out some code that usually works.
All my experiments and usage of AI if anything lead to more typing rather than less.
I thought I would share. I don't see this discussed much and thought it was interesting (it's my own post) when doing some introspection today. Is it from moving up in my career and I just type a little less? Has the movement from typing in a code editor all day to writing more prose helped? It's hard to say for sure, but a fun observation. :) I am curious if anyone else has experienced the same.
I'm not saying this to be snooty or whatever, but RSI is also solvable via a custom keyboard or learning Vim motions (or both). I had really bad RSI and it totally went away after the combo of learning to type properly (which you mentioned in your post) and switching to Vim full time. Vim motions reduce the amount of stretching you need to do by a LOT. Snippets also helped. I am of course talking about in The Before Times.
It's generally also just less typing if you are using long running agents, you can input the goals, steer it a bit then go for a nice walk and check in again on it in 30-40mins. I hope we can normalise this workflow as it will be much better for everyones health and longevity in the field.
IMO LLMs are the best thing to happen to coding in my ~15 years of being in the game.
I wager they have probably added on another 5-10 years to my engineering career as I was contemplating getting out before they showed up.
Have also been convincing some friends that have "gone woods" over the years to put the woodworking tools down for a day or two and give them a go. So far so good, a few folks have found the spark again and it's been awesome to see them make digital things again too.
I'm so confused at how people think that this will be a reality, like, what kind of boss would look at this and go: yep sure my people will only work for a few minutes here and there, let's keep paying them their huge 6 figure salaries ??
- Using mouse less
- Ergonomic keyboard
- Learning to type better (I still suck, but speed is fast enough, and I don't get a soar neck or fingers from my previous glance at KB then back to monitor and smash keys)
- Positioning top of monitor to eye level
- Gradually transitioning from programming through rapid trial and error, to building and exploring logical models of programs in my head, then type out some code that usually works.
All my experiments and usage of AI if anything lead to more typing rather than less.
IMO LLMs are the best thing to happen to coding in my ~15 years of being in the game.
I wager they have probably added on another 5-10 years to my engineering career as I was contemplating getting out before they showed up.
Have also been convincing some friends that have "gone woods" over the years to put the woodworking tools down for a day or two and give them a go. So far so good, a few folks have found the spark again and it's been awesome to see them make digital things again too.
am I missing something here..?
I don't have RSI, but I do this whenever my arms get tired to make sure I don't end up with it.