Chapter 3: Setting Up and Getting Started
Sitting at your computer
•Avoid bending, arching, or angling your wrists. Make sure that they are in a relaxed position when you type.
•Do not slouch forward or lean far back. Sit with your back straight so your knees, hips, and elbows form right angles when you work.
•Take breaks to stand and stretch your legs.
•Avoid twisting your torso or neck.
Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain
•Vary your activities to avoid excessive repetition.
•Take breaks to change your position, stretch your muscles, and relieve your eyes.
•Find ways to break up the work day, and schedule a variety of tasks.
Preparing power connections
Protecting from power source problems
Warning
High voltages can enter your computer through both the power cord and the modem connection. Protect your computer by using a surge protector. If you have a telephone modem, use a surge protector that has a modem jack. If you have a cable modem, use a surge protector that has an antenna/cable TV jack. During an electrical storm, unplug both the surge protector and the modem.
During a power surge, the voltage level of electricity coming into your computer can increase to far above normal levels and cause data loss or system damage. Protect your computer and peripheral devices by connecting them to a surge protector, which absorbs voltage surges and prevents them from reaching your computer.
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) supplies battery power to your computer during a power failure. Although you cannot run your computer for an extended period of time with a UPS, a UPS lets you run your computer long enough to save your work and shut down your computer normally.
14