RSI is a bitch!
Okay, with that out of the way Ill go into two ways that I have overcome my problems with large amounts of typing.
1) Voice recognition (Generally Windows only but with Linux possibilities)
The only problem with voice recognition is the cost of the software. In most cases it is prohibitive, but if you are able to do so, spending the money will be the best thing you ever do. Of course this is generally only a Windows fix, although it is possible to get Dragon NaturallySpeaking to work under Linux using Wine (Take a look at http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=2077 for an idea).
With Voice recognition software set up and working properly you can dictate into almost any program, and even if your favorite editor wont work like that you can still copy and paste or save and reload. Desktop functionality can be included with the software (In Windows only), allowing you to control large amounts of computer work by voice.
2) Alternative Input (Windows or Linux)
Voice recognition is great if you a) use Windows, and b) if you can afford the software. When either one of those conditions cannot be met you are left with alternative input methods.
To avoid mouse problems I ended up with a Wacom Inutos3 graphics tablet, possibly the best investment I ever made. Controlling the machine with the Pen feels far more natural, and it is very rare that I will feel any discomfort from using the Pen, even for long periods. It does take some getting used to, and it can be a pain when you are clicking around the screen and typing in between clicks, but it works, and works well once you get used to it, and it does not cause any RSI pain.
For me the biggest problem is typing. I touch type and I’m very fast, but after only a short while I am feeling that horrible tingling numbness creeping into my fingers, wrists and sometimes elbows. Iv tried natural shaped keyboards, but unless I want to spend many hundreds on a special design (that may or may not work!) there is no-where else to go in that direction.
So I changed direction!
Let me introduce a potential software solution: Dasher (http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/)
Dasher is designed primarily for people with disabilities who may only be able to move a small part of their body. The only prerequisite is that you can see the screen. However, the program can be utilised by anyone, and with the use of my Intuos3 Pen I can actually write for hours on end and feel no discomfort at all.
For sure Dasher is slower than typing; In my case probably 60% slower, but the loss of speed is far outweighed by the fact that I am now able to type for many hours at a time, rather than about five minutes!
Just as with the Pen, Dasher takes some getting used to, but the end result is well worth the effort. Actual use can be picked up in moments, but speed will take some time, and I think there will always be an upper limit to how fast you can go. However, to make a point, this entire post has been written using Dasher; Iv made mistakes and gone back to change things, so its taken about twenty minutes, which is an extraordinary period of time, but guess what? I could keep going for another twenty minutes, an hour, ever three or more hours, and I wont be suffering from any discomfort at all.
Dasher has settings to help you, such as a default speed setting, and a default training text file, which you can populate with your own writing to give Dasher a chance to predict text as you go along. In my case I have also included some HTML, CSS, Javascript and PHP code in the training file, which means that I can edit (and create for that matter) my source files, as well as generate text such as this.
Dasher will not be for everyone, but if you suffer from RSI and you use Windows or Linux, then take a look. Its free software and it works extremely well.
If you do try this software Id like to hear any comments you may have.
