Happy New Year from ErgoCanada! We hope 2009 will be a prosperous year for all...

In this issue...

Featured Product: Slant Boards by Health By Design
Featured Promo: U-Slope (large and small) by Ergonomic Cafe
New Products: Microdesk Compact by Good Use Company
Ergonomic Workstation Tip of the Month: Working with Writing Surfaces
Ergonomic Product Tip of the Month: Finding the 'Write' Writing Surface
Upcoming Events: IAPA Conference/Toronto Road Show 2009
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New Products

The Compact Microdesk from the Good Use Company is Now Available!

The Compact Microdesk from the Good Use Company is a narrower version of the Standard Microdesk, designed for use with compact keyboards. Its smaller footprint saves additional space on any workstation, while its newer design combines better legs and feet (more rubbery for better traction) with greater aesthetic appeal. Also, there are now two sizes of lip on which to rest documents, depending on thickness desired, and each Microdesk comes with the usual line guide.

For more information on the Compact Microdesk, see the Document Holders category in our online catalog.

Ergonomic Workstation Tip of the Month

Working with Writing Surfaces

Sometimes writing on your desk is either impractical or impossible - there may be limited or no space available at your desk, or the document you wish to write on is also the document you must refer to as you work at your computer. In the former case, what is needed is a writing surface which effectively increases the amount of available desk space. In the latter case, your document will ideally be placed on a document holder specifically designed to be positioned inline with your field of vision. However, not all document holders are designed to be written on, since many lack the stability and range of angle adjustment appropriate for writing. What is needed in these situations, then, is a writing surface that is solid and stable, within easy reach while positioned in your line of sight, and appropriately angled to support the document you wish to write on.

Products such as the Compact Microdesk from the Good Use Company or the U Slope Document Holder by Ergonomic Cafe are good examples of the variety of useful writing surfaces available today. Both can also be used as document holders. In the case of the Compact Microdesk, the design is space-saving, while still providing enough space beneath the writing surface to use or store a compact keyboard. This makes using such a writing surface ergonomic and efficient, since it improves both good posture and comfort level, and at the same time increases efficiency and prevents twisting of the neck and head during use. In the case of the U Slope, the design offers a greater range of adjustment but because of the opacity of the surface, does not permit the use of the keyboard under the writing surface.

In some cases, it is more important to have a stable, sturdy and portable writing surface with multiple angle settings than it is to save space. For students, writers, teachers or artists, a product like the Desktop Slant Board is ideal, since it is primarily designed for those needing an angled surface to better read and write on documents, even while standing; typing on a keyboard is of secondary importance. Those doing mostly data entry at a computer, however, may prefer the Compact Microdesk, or the U Slope Document Holder, both of which can be used inline with the monitor and have storage space beneath to keep a keyboard (the Compact Microdesk is even made of clear plastic, so that you can view your keys as you type). All these devices still have all the benefits a regular document holder possesses - in addition to being stable writing surfaces.

Overall, writing surfaces are an important part of a well-designed and ergonomic workstation, providing for economical use of space while helping minimizing awkward and stressful postures related to neck and body twisting or forward leaning. Given the variety of products available, once you identify your unique needs and requirements, there is usually a product which will provide you with the all the features you need.

Ergonomic Product Usage Tip of the Month

Finding the 'Write' Writing Surface

Before choosing a writing surface that is best suited for your situation, you must first determine what your most critial issue is. For example, will you be writing on the same document you will be reading from? Will you be typing intermittently with a keyboard? How portable does the writing surface have to be (e.g., the product will be placed on a moving cart or moved from room to room)? Your answers to these questions will determine which product is most likely to satisfy your requirements. Here are a list of some of the main types of writing surfaces available and the advantages of each:

1. Stationary basic writing surface for writing only (not concurrent with typing). Example: the Desktop Slant Board from Health by Design (featured product for this month). If your main task is simply to write on a surface and you require angled adjustment, this is the ideal product. The Slant Board's specially designed ledge allows documents, including paper or thin notebooks, to be position on the surface, even at high angles (up to 70°), while writing is unobstructed by the ledge's tapered ledge on the right and left sides. The unit sits flat on a table or desk and is made from birch plywood, giving you an all-round stable writing surface.

2. Portable writing surface for space limited applications (with or without using a keyboard). Example: the Compact Microdesk from Good Use Company (new product for this month). This is one of the best all-round document holders/writing surfaces available. Good Use Company's latest entry in their Microdesk line saves even more space due to its smaller footprint while retaining all the advantages of the standard Microdesk - the clear plastic body (allowing you to see underneath the surface), adjustable leg height (with angles up to 25°), and raised surface area. You can use it inline with your keyboard and monitor, moving it to and fro, depending on the task at hand, or you can use it wherever portability is needed, for example, on cluttered medical carts (see picture) for recording routine information on charts, etc.

3. Dedicated document holder/writing surface for computer-related data entry (especially office use). Example: the U Slope from Ergonomic Cafe (featured promo for this month). Sometimes you just need a place to write in between typing on a keyboard, and since you do this often enough, you need an ergonomically designed device to help you do that easily and effectively. The U Slope provides a great answer: made of sturdy metal with multiple angle adjustments (up to 40°), it can easily be positioned between the keyboard and monitor while typing but can just as easily be moved over the keyboard when you need to write on a document. It can save space, time, effort, and best of all, pain and suffering from constantly turning, twisting or bending to find a place to write what you need to. There is even a mini version of the U Slope for really space restrictive workstations.

In the end, finding the 'write' ergonomic product for you comes down to getting the product to work for you, so that you don't have to waste valuable time being unproductive, whether it's by working more efficiently or preventing lost time due to injury or pain.

ErgoCanada's eNewsletter
January 2009
Happy New Year from ErgoCanada! We hope 2009 will be a prosperous year for all... In this issue... Featured Product: Slant Boards by Health By Design Featured Promo: U-Slope (large and small) by Ergonomic Cafe New Products: Microdesk Compact by Good Use Company Ergonomic Workstation Tip of the Month: Working with Writing Surfaces Ergonomic Product Tip of the Month: Finding the 'Write' Writing Surface Upcoming Events: IAPA Conference/Toronto Road Show 2009 RSS Feeds New Products The Compact Microdesk from the Good Use Company is Now Available! The Compact Microdesk from the Good Use Company is a narrower version of the Standard Microdesk, designed for use with compact keyboards. Its smaller footprint saves additional space on any workstation, while its newer design combines better legs and feet (more rubbery for better traction) with greater aesthetic appeal. Also, there are now two sizes of lip on which to rest documents, depending on thickness desired, and each Microdesk comes with the usual line guide. For more information on the Compact Microdesk, see the Document Holders category in our online catalog. Ergonomic Workstation Tip of the Month Working with Writing Surfaces Sometimes writing on your desk is either impractical or impossible - there may be limited or no space available at your desk, or the document you wish to write on is also the document you must refer to as you work at your computer. In the former case, what is needed is a writing surface which effectively increases the amount of available desk space. In the latter case, your document will ideally be placed on a document holder specifically designed to be positioned inline with your field of vision. However, not all document holders are designed to be written on, since many lack the stability and range of angle adjustment appropriate for writing. What is needed in these situations, then, is a writing surface that is solid and stable, within easy reach while positioned in your line of sight, and appropriately angled to support the document you wish to write on. Products such as the Compact Microdesk from the Good Use Company or the U Slope Document Holder by Ergonomic Cafe are good examples of the variety of useful writing surfaces available today. Both can also be used as document holders. In the case of the Compact Microdesk, the design is space-saving, while still providing enough space beneath the writing surface to use or store a compact keyboard. This makes using such a writing surface ergonomic and efficient, since it improves both good posture and comfort level, and at the same time increases efficiency and prevents twisting of the neck and head during use. In the case of the U Slope, the design offers a greater range of adjustment but because of the opacity of the surface, does not permit the use of the keyboard under the writing surface. In some cases, it is more important to have a stable, sturdy and portable writing surface with multiple angle settings than it is to save space. For students, writers, teachers or artists, a product like the Desktop Slant Board is ideal, since it is primarily designed for those needing an angled surface to better read and write on documents, even while standing; typing on a keyboard is of secondary importance. Those doing mostly data entry at a computer, however, may prefer the Compact Microdesk, or the U Slope Document Holder, both of which can be used inline with the monitor and have storage space beneath to keep a keyboard (the Compact Microdesk is even made of clear plastic, so that you can view your keys as you type). All these devices still have all the benefits a regular document holder possesses - in addition to being stable writing surfaces. Overall, writing surfaces are an important part of a well-designed and ergonomic workstation, providing for economical use of space while helping minimizing awkward and stressful postures related to neck and body twisting or forward leaning. Given the variety of products available, once you identify your unique needs and requirements, there is usually a product which will provide you with the all the features you need. Ergonomic Product Usage Tip of the Month Finding the 'Write' Writing Surface Before choosing a writing surface that is best suited for your situation, you must first determine what your most critial issue is. For example, will you be writing on the same document you will be reading from? Will you be typing intermittently with a keyboard? How portable does the writing surface have to be (e.g., the product will be placed on a moving cart or moved from room to room)? Your answers to these questions will determine which product is most likely to satisfy your requirements. Here are a list of some of the main types of writing surfaces available and the advantages of each: 1. Stationary basic writing surface for writing only (not concurrent with typing). Example: the Desktop Slant Board from Health by Design (featured product for this month). If your main task is simply to write on a surface and you require angled adjustment, this is the ideal product. The Slant Board's specially designed ledge allows documents, including paper or thin notebooks, to be position on the surface, even at high angles (up to 70°), while writing is unobstructed by the ledge's tapered ledge on the right and left sides. The unit sits flat on a table or desk and is made from birch plywood, giving you an all-round stable writing surface. 2. Portable writing surface for space limited applications (with or without using a keyboard). Example: the Compact Microdesk from Good Use Company (new product for this month). This is one of the best all-round document holders/writing surfaces available. Good Use Company's latest entry in their Microdesk line saves even more space due to its smaller footprint while retaining all the advantages of the standard Microdesk - the clear plastic body (allowing you to see underneath the surface), adjustable leg height (with angles up to 25°), and raised surface area. You can use it inline with your keyboard and monitor, moving it to and fro, depending on the task at hand, or you can use it wherever portability is needed, for example, on cluttered medical carts (see picture) for recording routine information on charts, etc. 3. Dedicated document holder/writing surface for computer-related data entry (especially office use). Example: the U Slope from Ergonomic Cafe (featured promo for this month). Sometimes you just need a place to write in between typing on a keyboard, and since you do this often enough, you need an ergonomically designed device to help you do that easily and effectively. The U Slope provides a great answer: made of sturdy metal with multiple angle adjustments (up to 40°), it can easily be positioned between the keyboard and monitor while typing but can just as easily be moved over the keyboard when you need to write on a document. It can save space, time, effort, and best of all, pain and suffering from constantly turning, twisting or bending to find a place to write what you need to. There is even a mini version of the U Slope for really space restrictive workstations. In the end, finding the 'write' ergonomic product for you comes down to getting the product to work for you, so that you don't have to waste valuable time being unproductive, whether it's by working more efficiently or preventing lost time due to injury or pain.	Featured Product The Adjustable Writing Slant Board from Health by Design is Now Available! Traditional document holders don't work well as writing surfaces because the ledge that supports the documents gets in the way of the user's forearm during writing. The Adjustable Writing Slant Board serves as both a document holder and a writing surface because of the design of the support ledge - it's wider in the middle and tapered toward the outside edges. This freestanding slant board is very rugged with lots of adjustability. Easily adjustable; angle range from 0° to 70° Hand-crafted from strong Baltic Birch plywood Non-glare, low-contrast polyurethane finish Sets up in seconds almost anywhere and folds up flat for travel and compact storage Smooth writing surface is easy on your forearm and wrist Non-skid, non-mar rubber feet protects desktop For more information on the Adjustable Writing Slant Board, see the Writing Solutions category in our online catalog. Featured Promo of the Month The U Slope Document Holder by Ergonomic Cafe The unique design of the U Slope by Ergonomic Cafe allows the document holder to transform into an A3 reading and writing slope by simply gliding the U Slope forward over the keyboard. As the design offers full clearance above the keyboard, no sacrifice on the angle of the document surface is required. Once the keyboard is needed, the U Slope simply glides back into its document holder position, and thus maximizes your desk space. The all metal design also comes with a magnetic document clip to keep pages in place and an lip attachment to hold books or documents in place while reading. Regular Price (U Slope): $295.00 Regular Price (U Slope Mini): $285.00 Sale Price (U Slope): $245.00 Sale Price (U Slope Mini): $235.00 See the U Slope in Writing Solutions category of our online catalog. Upcoming Events IAPA Conference (April 20-22)/Toronto Road Show 2009 (April 22-23) ErgoCanada is pleased to announce our Toronto Road Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Center on April 22nd and 23rd, 2009. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to get 'hands on' with our products and talk to our product specialists face to face. The road show will feature a presentation by our president Michael Craggs followed by a product exposition. As at our previous road shows, we will have some of our manufacturers at the event including Bakker Elkhuizen, Contour Design, Innovative Office Products and Kinesis. Attendance is free but registration is appreciated. For more information go to our events page, or to receive an registration form, email us at roadshow@ergocanada.com RSS Feeds Subscribe to our new RSS feeds, which are updated regularly with the newest products added to our existing line of over 5000 products. Add our newsletter to your RSS feed reader: Add our new products to your RSS feed reader: Check out our archived newsletters below: December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008
Copyright © 2009 Micwil Group of Companies Ltd.

ErgoCanada's eNewsletter

The Compact Microdesk from the Good Use Company is Now Available!

Working with Writing Surfaces

Finding the 'Write' Writing Surface

The Adjustable Writing Slant Board from Health by Design is Now Available!

The U Slope Document Holder by Ergonomic Cafe

IAPA Conference (April 20-22)/Toronto Road Show 2009 (April 22-23)