PSIApril2017

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TEST PRODUCT TEST BakkerElkhuizen S-board 840 Finding somewhere to put a keyboard can be a problem; balancing a unit on your leg or on top of a panel is tricky! What’s in the box? Keyboard Instructions Carry pouch 8.5 out of 10 Ever since the introduction of the PC in the early 1980s , the keyboard has been an integral part of the computer system. It wasn’t until 1984 that the ‘mouse’ came along to work alongside the keyboard. Since then the keyboards we use haven’t changed much at all, but in the years between there has been quite a lot of research carried out into the relationship between the continued use of a mouse and keyboard on the likelihood and causes of repetitive strain injury (RSI). It was this research that drove the development of the BakkerElkhuizen S-board 840 Design USB compact keyboard - a compact keyboard that does not have a numeric pad. For this reason, the mouse can be placed closer to the keyboard. Research has shown that 90% of keyboard users seldom if ever use the numeric pad. Working with a compact keyboard results in greater comfort because it reduces the reaching distance to the mouse (Cook, C., et al., 1998) which can be positioned right in front of the right shoulder, which facilitates a better posture of the right arm and shoulder when using the mouse. This puts less strain on the shoulder and forearm as it reduces the reaching distance required. Dark letters on a light background make them easier to read (ISO 9241), and contribute to increased productivity (Snyder, 1990). The keyboard also has two USB ports for the connection of devices (not more than 500mA in total) and a row of ten multimedia keys giving shortcuts to various actions such as Save, Copy, Paste, Email etc. In action In the security installation sector there are two types keyboard operatives, the installer and the office admin/support personnel. For the installer, a USB keyboard is sometimes used for the more complex programming of alarm panels, so it is likely that you would have one in the van. But are there any benefits to having an ergonomically designed unit priced at £51.99 (ex VAT) over a standard keyboard that costs less than £10? There are a couple. Firstly the S-board 840 is smaller than a standard keyboard as it measures 30cm x 16cm compared to around 43cm x14cm for a regular design. This is obviously due to the compact nature and lack of a number pad in the 840 which makes the unit more portable. This coupled with a carry pouch included in the box helps with the day-to-day handling of the keyboard. And while the unit is certainly not ‘ruggedised’ it does feel more solid than cheaper options. Over in the office where keyboards are a major component of the working day there are a few points of note with the unit not just its size – which was the initial topic of discussion. The scissor mechanism (instead of membranes) inside the S-board 840 gave a light keystroke that proved popular with experienced keyboard users. It is recommended that the keyboard legs are retracted to give a slope of 0-12° to prevent excessive wrist extension so our reviewers used this position for testing. There did appear to be less ‘stretching’ involved with the compact nature of the unit allowing closer proximity of the mouse. The lack of a number pad did take some getting used to. Conclusion While the anti-RSI design of the S-board 840 doesn’t really apply to installers while out on a job, if you’ve ever needed to plug in a USB keyboard to run some diagnostics or input some more complex programming into an alarm panel you might have found finding somewhere to put the keyboard a bit of problem; balancing a unit on your leg or on top of the panel is tricky! This small footprint keyboard could therefore be of benefit in tight spots. Of course it is in the office that the benefits of this keyboard are really apparent. The amount of research that goes into RSI prevention in the workplace outlines the very real problems that can result of a desk, terminal and seating position that does not provide the neutral position as described in EU and ISO guidelines. As an installer you might not want to splash out on one these for yourself especially as the use of touchscreens on panels is certainly on the rise, but your office team might well appreciate the benefits of the S-board 840. 18 www.psimagazine.co.uk
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