[Leica] OT: Hand troubles

[Peter Klein]

LUG:  I'm in need of a little advice.

Since I retired, I've been online quite a bit, and also playing bassoon 
more than before. Lately, I'm finding my hands are often tired and 
achy.  The last time this happened (c. 1990), I stayed in denial too 
long (didn't want to lose my job).  I ended up with a pinched nerve in 
my wrist, had to have surgery, and was out of commission for a full 
year. I don't want this to happen again.  I'll be seeing a doctor about 
the current issue soon, but in the meantime...

I have a feeling I'll need to curtail my computer usage. I also think 
the major culprit is the computer mouse. So I'm looking for ways to 
minimize mouse use.  Unfortunately, a lot of what I do involves the 
computer.  So I was thinking, maybe an alternative device like a tablet, 
iPad or similar might help take some of the burden off my hands. 
Different motions than the desktop keyboard/mouse. I could use it for 
email, groups, Facebook, looking at pictures, and save the real computer 
for important photo editing, composing music and such.

So, I ask the collective mind:  Have any of you faced this general 
issue? What solutions have you come up with? And if a tablet/pad is a 
possible solution, which specific one, and why?

Other things to know:  I have WiFi at home, and I don't need or want to 
get into cell data/mobile plans since I use my Blackberry-like Tracfone 
for travel email. It's too small for all but the most rudimentary photo 
viewing, though.  I have a Wacom pen and tablet on my desktop computer, 
but I only find this useful/satisfactory for photo editing, not general 
navigation.  In the 1990s I tried trackballs and touch pads, and never 
cared much for them.  I have no religious attachment to any particular 
company or technology. I do use PCs, not Macs, simply because that's 
what I always worked with.

--Peter