Episode 2x04
From Hak5
Contents |
Synopsis
In this episode of Hak5 Paul takes a look at Q, an open source emulator for the PowerPC Mac platform and its FreeDOS/FreeDoom playing capabilities. Erin Shahan joins us to talk about the geeks natural predator, RSI. Alli shows off an idiot-proof Nintendo DS mod chip with plenty of hackability (and Doom of course). And Wess adds style to your micro with a blingin' modded mouse. Plus this month’s trivia, poll, & LAN party details from the lovely and talented Alli.
Special thanks to Ashley Witt for the killer HAK.5 Theme Song, and Pronobozo for the awesome bumper music and 3D animations!
Q - The Mac Open Source Emulator
RSI - The geeks natural predator
What is a repetitive stress injury exactly?
The name pretty much says it all. People put their joints in stressful positions either for an extended period of time, every day, or repetedly throughout the day, every day. Repetitive stress injuries, or RSI, can be divided into several groups, tendonitis and bursitis being the most common. Tendonitis is the inflammation, or irritation, of the tissue that attaches muscle to bone. Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa, which is a fluid filled sack that serves as acusion between tendonus tissue and bone. Because the human body is covered in tendons and bursa, signs and symptoms of these types of RSI can show up anywhere.
So RSI isn't limited to one area of the body?
Definitely not. It can range from the commonly known carpel tunnel syndrome to Trochanteric bursitis which affects the hip. Oftentimes RSI is related to ones duties at work. Say that you, Derrin, are on your knees a great deal, every day, you would most likely suffer from housemaid's knee, which occurs right at the knee cap.
You just said that I would have to repete the same motion every day. Are you implying that one couldn't show signs of RSI if they were only assigned a repetitive motion for a single , shall we say, eight hour day?
Chances are, if some one is required to kneel for several hours at their job one day they will be sore in that area the next. However, the fact that that stress was only put on that joint for a single day means that that joint will be given the opportunity to heal. RSI are injuries that never get the chance to heal because the action that caused them is repeted on a daily basis. Those actions can range from holding one position for extended amounts of time or repeting the same motion numerous times throughout the day. Carpel tunnel syndrome is most often caused by holding the wrist at such an angle that the carpel tunnel [see diagram] pinches the median nerve, resulting in numbness and pain, whereas tennis elbow is caused by bending the wrist back with force.
Carpel tunnel syndrome is a big problem these days, I know like 3 people that have it
Actually the most common RSI is DeQuervain's tendosynovitis (pronounced du-ker-vanes ten-do-sin-o-vite-iss), and is commonly mistaken for carpel tunnel syndrome.
What's the difference?
Well as I said before CTS is the inflammation of the median nerve that travels through your wrist, whereas DeQuervain's tendosynovitis is the inflammation of the lining of the tendons of the thumb. The trick to knowing the difference is knowing a little anatomy. First of all nerves and tendons are not the same thing, so theres your first hint, but that tidbit will only really help you on paper. If you’re trying to figure out which problem your having it’s not always convenient to cut your hand open. So here’s the trick: because DeQuervain's tendosynovitis occurs in the tendons of the thumb, that is the area where one will experience the most discompfort. In the matter of CTS the median nerve inervates [or travels through] the pinky, ring and sometimes middle fingers, therefore one would experience numbness tingling or pain in those areas. In short tendosynovitis = thumb; CTS = pinky ring and middle fingers.
Other than waiting for symptoms to arise, is there any way to know if I have either of these RSI?
Well, there's a test for everything thanks to modern medicine, but without the say-so of a doctor the tests I'm about to show you don't stand as a diagnoses. Now, having said that, let's have some fun.
A good self test for DeQuervain's tendosynovitis is to fold your thumb into your palm and wrap your remaining fingers around it. Extend your arm out in front of you [if both arms are extended so that the palms face each other]. Once in this position pretent that your thumb is a rope that you can only pull down by moving your wrist. So, without moving your elbow or shoulder pull your thumb towards your feet. If you experience pain along your thumb up to half way up your forearm, you may have DeQuervain's tendosynovitis
RSI-Shield - a program for Windows that tells you when to take a break and, more importantly, shows you exercises to keep your body and mind in the game.
The DS-Xtreme Mod Chip
Blingin Mouse Mod the Wess Way
A simple How-To on installing LEDs in a mouse to add some personalization
You'll need:
- LEDs in the amount and color of your choosing
- 68 ohms resistor per LED
- Thin, flexible wire
- Soldering iron and solder
- Rotary tool and/or drill
The process itself is very simple, connect the anode (+) lead from the LED to the +5v pin on the USB connector. Connect the 68 ohms resistor to the cathode (-) lead of the LED. Now, connect the other end of the resistor to the -5v pin on the USB connection.
Beyond that is a matter of personal preference. Location and number of LEDs is up to the individual. The easiest way to install the LEDs is to drill a hole the same size as the LED (~5mm for regular LEDs) and simply slide it in. If you don't want to have the light sticking out like a sore thumb, use a drill or rotary tool to cut the top of the LED off, making sure as to not disturb the emitter.