walking and using a Wacom tablet...?

[shonofear]

Hi there,
Just wondering if there are any other Wacom tablet users and if you could comment on your experience with them whilst walking on the treadmill.
I use my tablet always for wrist health/graphical work on the computer.
I have yet to try this out on a treadmill, looking at buying a 2nd hand tread in the next few days though.
The work that i usually do does require a steady hand but I was thinking that a extra large screen at a lower resolution would give me a better zoomed up view of what I am working on.
Or maybe this idea of walking while working may not be for my industry, as in Visual Effects.
Really wanna give it a crack though, at least if dosent work out for me can watch tv/movies whilst on the tread.

Anyhoo,
thanks for ya tips and advice

Shono

[Joe Zenas]

I've done a fair amount of editing (Final Cut) on the treadmill - no prob. I think" Mouse Action" on the tablet would be doable, but precise painting/pixel masks would be a challenge. (Whenever I have to hand write and it needs to be legible, I step to the sides)

[Kelly]

I have to agree with Joe. I've had a tablet pc for over 5 years which I now use as a backup and for graphical editing. Alas, I forgot to try it on the treadmill (I'm away from my regular office for a month), but I would say that handwriting and precise mouse control are not very good while walking. I can do everything else: Phone, surf, email, typing, general clicks and basic graphics, but someone mentioned it was hard to precisely crop an image, and I would agree. Plus, I can barely handwrite or draw in a normal situation so that doesn't work for me either.

But that being said, all the basic tasks were easy to do instantly, so maybe giving some time for your arm muscles and walking movements to adjust to the tablet would be worth it. I can imagine though it will initially be frustrating.

I did use my tablet pc for over 3 years as my main computer. But I set it up like a desktop with extended monitor and full size keyboard. I just loved the ability to pop it out of the docking station and sit on the couch for a while. I've even set it up to use as a portable monitor for my current PC, but since upgrading to vista I haven't figured out how to do it.

[shonofear]

Well,
I havent gone ahead with the treadmill desk setup as of yet,
BUT....
Having researched quiet a lot on different options for exercise whilst working I have decided on the http://www.magnetrainer.com/ and have been using it for the last 2 days and have been pleasantly surprised with the quality and effectiveness that it has.
I have to elevate my desk a little cause my knees hit whilst peddling, but this thing is even great for watching TV/reading/working. You cant even hear it whilst peddling soo is a great option for taking to work.
Thanks for your input peoples,
Cheers
Shono

[shonofear]

Well I can report that it is quiet possible to work with a tablet whilst on the treadmill.
I am currently doing 2.0 kph (1.2 mph ish) with my MBP laptop and the tablet attached.
My forearm is actually perfectly still therefore not affecting the wrist and precision.
Have yet to open up photoshop and try more finer detail pen work though.
But so far so good.
Happy days
Cheers

[Patrick Murphy]

Hi,
I have a gel wrist rest with my mouse, and am able to be very precise with it - but I think I would have to rig up a forearm rest to use a tablet while walking.
Patrick

[shonofear]

Hey,
just tried out the idea of resting/stabilizing my whole forearm and it really does make a difference, especially with precision mouse/tablet work. I whacked down a table top on top of me treadmill (testing purposes) that has a big surface area, now it seems to take away the walking bumps. Only tested at slow speeds (<2.2 kph) but does make it easier indeed :P
has not completely taking away the movements, but 1 step closer to a better tread desk station.
CHeers

[G. S. Bergsma]

I've been using either a Wacom Bamboo or Graphire tablet with my treadmill desk for the past year, and have had no problem using it (for me, the stylus is much better on the wrists than the mouse). I would agree with a previous poster that it is a little tougher for detailed work, but I usually just stop the treadmill when I need to do anything super precise. I have also incorporated a wrist rest at the base of the tablet to support and stabilize my hand.

[Barbara BC Gleason]

Hi ShoNoFear,
I, too, am a Wacom user (been mouse-free since '93!) and would need to re-learn to do some things if I were moving, I bet! I think I'd have to stop the treadmill motor for some of the tasks I typically do, like when I need to have fine control when doing image editing, etc. Some of the systems I've seen today while researching these options involve a monitor behind the treadmill dialogue area, standing atop a box, in some cases, so there, you could certainly enlarge the image you were working on to gain more control while moving. But, I'm sure there'll be a learning curve when I do finally get a system set up! I'm looking into treadmills this week to see if I can find a used one nearby that will work in the limited space I have, too. So, I'll be able to speak with more authority soon, I hope!