| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Any craftsmanship to move my eyesight away from the screen? Thread poster: Marvin Sun
|
|---|
Marvin Sun 
China
Local time: 20:41
English to Chinese
I have to watch LCD screen for around 12 hours each day, and I presume this kind of life style will continue in the upcoming 30 years, therefore I’m thinking of learning a craftsmanship which may help me steer away my eyesight from the screen, what I got in my mind are carpentry, PCB soldering and sculpture, since my room space is really limited, I came here to see whether there is any better idea that can help relax my eyes during my daily translation and other computer works.
I... See more I have to watch LCD screen for around 12 hours each day, and I presume this kind of life style will continue in the upcoming 30 years, therefore I’m thinking of learning a craftsmanship which may help me steer away my eyesight from the screen, what I got in my mind are carpentry, PCB soldering and sculpture, since my room space is really limited, I came here to see whether there is any better idea that can help relax my eyes during my daily translation and other computer works.
Ideal craftsmanship is as follows:
1. Can be carried out indoors, better in a room;
2. There are no needs of big devices or expensive instruments;
3. The products are better short-time-consumed (let’s say, one product costs one day or a few hours);it’s just for helping me move my eyesight from the screen;
4. Would be better if the craftsmanship needs certain degree of skills, that would be challenging, provoking my interests;
5. There is enough room for my craftsmanship to advance, i.e., as time goes by, my level of the craftsmanship can be advanced to higher levels, and there are always higher levels.
Just put here for amusement: I even thought of manually making guns (actually my interest, hehe~~), but I think that would only be done in a full-fledged machinery factory, and the process of “making a gun” take long time. What’s even worse, China prohibits individual person owning a gun. A few other people recommended me to raise animals, but I don’t think it’s good to raise animals. I may feel entertained when the animal is alive, but when he/she is dead, I’d be very sorry to know he/she has gone.
[Edited at 2013-01-22 07:50 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Jaroslaw Michalak
Poland
Local time: 14:41
Member (2004)
English to Polish
SITE LOCALIZER
My wife is making jewellry in her free time (or rather was making it when she still had free time! now she is more into knitting) and it seems to fit the bill very well, unless of course it is not appealing to you. Very few tools are needed, you can pack your whole workshop into a small box - a fishing accessory box works great ... You can start with something simple and improve significantly. The better materials might be tempting... See more My wife is making jewellry in her free time (or rather was making it when she still had free time! now she is more into knitting) and it seems to fit the bill very well, unless of course it is not appealing to you. Very few tools are needed, you can pack your whole workshop into a small box - a fishing accessory box works great... You can start with something simple and improve significantly. The better materials might be tempting (e.g. silver wire, semprecious stones), but if you do it for yourself, you can use cheaper alternatives with great results.
My favorite distraction was juggling balls. While it is not a craft in the sense that you get anything tangible out of it, it certainly provides diversion and both rest and traning for your eyes. Unfortunately, the computer glue is getting stronger and stronger and now... I cannot even... move... ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Proofreading on paper? | Jan 21, 2013 |
I find proofreading on paper easier on the eyes AND more effective. I see errors on paper that I do not catch on screen.
I don't know whether this is a sensible idea in your part of the world: many people think they can reduce their environmental impact by avoiding the use of paper, but it is not always as simple as that.
Here in Scandinavia, a great deal of paper comes from managed forests and is recycled. It is finally used as biofuel for heating when it is no longer ... See more I find proofreading on paper easier on the eyes AND more effective. I see errors on paper that I do not catch on screen.
I don't know whether this is a sensible idea in your part of the world: many people think they can reduce their environmental impact by avoiding the use of paper, but it is not always as simple as that.
Here in Scandinavia, a great deal of paper comes from managed forests and is recycled. It is finally used as biofuel for heating when it is no longer possible to recycle it as paper, and it is therefore quite an environment-friendly option.
Strictly, you should turn off your computer, or at least set it to a low-energy hibernate mode while you are proofreading, because computers also consume energy that is not entirely environment friendly in any form.
Twelve hours a day seems a very long time. Break it up by getting some fresh air and exercise, and as you yourself suggest, doing something completely different as well.
Jewellery is a good suggestion.
One of my friends makes jewellery, and even sells it. So then he can afford the more exciting things like silver wire and slightly more expensive stones, especially if he is working to order and the customer pays up front.
Though you can make beautiful things with cheaper alternatives. The design is more important than the materials. ▲ Collapse
| | | | János Untener
Hungary
Local time: 14:41
Member (2010)
English to Hungarian
+ ...
Juggling, because it is fun and you can improve (more balls, different objects, etc.).
Gym, because you do need it after sitting and watching an LCD screen for that long, however,
thinking about these numbers (~12 hours/day for 30 years) I would rather quit.
| | |
|
|
|
| Paper crafts ^_^ | Jan 21, 2013 |
There's a computer program called Pepakura that's really interesting. What it does is take 3d images and "unfolds" them into 2d, printable, formats. What you do then is cut them out, fold them, and put them together to make what ever the original image was. I know it sounds kind of silly, but it's actually really neat. It's like super origami! You can even take the new models and coat them in some sort of plastic to make them sturdier, and then paint them.
This is one of my favorit... See more There's a computer program called Pepakura that's really interesting. What it does is take 3d images and "unfolds" them into 2d, printable, formats. What you do then is cut them out, fold them, and put them together to make what ever the original image was. I know it sounds kind of silly, but it's actually really neat. It's like super origami! You can even take the new models and coat them in some sort of plastic to make them sturdier, and then paint them.
This is one of my favorite hobbies, and one that I share with my dad and brothers. We have made several large models over the last few years, namely an entire Master Cheif armor set from the Halo video game series, as well as a bunch of the items/weapons from the game. I've personally made everything from sculptures to body parts and is really fun for Halloween. My big project now is a storm trooper set for the starwars movies.
Did I mention that those suits can sell for $600 to $1,500 (US$)??
All you need to get started is a printer, some scissors and tape or glue. The software is free, just google pepakura download and you'll find it.
[Edited at 2013-01-21 20:23 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Rolf Kern
Switzerland
Local time: 14:41
English to German
+ ...
In memoriam | I do not see the problem | Jan 21, 2013 |
Why not work on a flat screen 12 hours a day? No problem. What has this question to do with translating?
Rolf
[Bearbeitet am 2013-01-21 19:53 GMT]
| | | | | Brilliant post! | Jan 21, 2013 |
I just wanted to say this is a brilliant post - I am severely short-sighted and am starting to worry that this career choice is not going to be doing my eyes much good in the longrun!
Exercise is definitely a good vice - plus its necessary since we are sat at a screen for so long each day! Going for walks...or get a dog, so that you have to be distracted from the screen at least a short while each day!
Juggling is a great idea! Might try that myself...
Personally, I like to dra... See more I just wanted to say this is a brilliant post - I am severely short-sighted and am starting to worry that this career choice is not going to be doing my eyes much good in the longrun!
Exercise is definitely a good vice - plus its necessary since we are sat at a screen for so long each day! Going for walks...or get a dog, so that you have to be distracted from the screen at least a short while each day!
Juggling is a great idea! Might try that myself...
Personally, I like to draw/paint, although translation can take so long that sometimes I am not in the mood to start something else that will take so much of my time after work...
How about reading? (In your own language! A better way to relax) ▲ Collapse
| | | | David Wright
Austria
Local time: 14:41
German to English
+ ...
| Close or distance | Jan 21, 2013 |
I would have thought that the best relaxation for eyes after working at the monitor all day is to look at distant things, not things close up. As DLC suggests - go for a walk.
| | |
|
|
|
As David says, what you need is to look into the distance and not force your eyes even more. I trust that my optometrist knows what she says, and every time I visit her she insists that I should relax my eyes by looking far.
I reckon the best you can do for your own health is to ask your optometrist and not your fellow colleagues about this matter, given that a majority of us worsen our sight problems with time, which in turn proves that we are not doing the right thing.
| | | | Marvin Sun
China
Local time: 20:41
English to Chinese
TOPIC STARTER | Thank you for the suggestions | Jan 22, 2013 |
Thank you very much for your suggestions, colleagues. Juggling is definitely a good choice, I will try it later. Paper crafts and knitting sound interesting, but I’m a man so I think they are a little bit feminine for me. I think ladies could try those two crafts when feeling like relaxing their eyes, guess they would be very helpful.
Looking far is actually a traditional method to relax our eyes; the only problem is: I feel boring when I keep looking at the landscape (out of my ... See more Thank you very much for your suggestions, colleagues. Juggling is definitely a good choice, I will try it later. Paper crafts and knitting sound interesting, but I’m a man so I think they are a little bit feminine for me. I think ladies could try those two crafts when feeling like relaxing their eyes, guess they would be very helpful.
Looking far is actually a traditional method to relax our eyes; the only problem is: I feel boring when I keep looking at the landscape (out of my window and my door) several times each day for several years, so I want to try something new.
It’s true that computer glue is getting much stronger than ever, but at the same time our eyes getting worse due to long-time staring at computer screens. Hope each of us don’t forget to relax our eyes and take care of our health even we have heavy workload. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Change focus and blink | Jan 22, 2013 |
I had this problem and asked my optometrist about it. Changing the focus of the eye is important to good visual health and I was told to place various objects (favourite pix, souvenirs, "trophies", cuddly toys, etc.) all around the office at different distances from my seat/desk for a quick refocus. It was also suggested to get up (hurray!) and stand in different positions in my office and focus on various points in the room (if you let you let your mind drift, it's even more refreshing! It's am... See more I had this problem and asked my optometrist about it. Changing the focus of the eye is important to good visual health and I was told to place various objects (favourite pix, souvenirs, "trophies", cuddly toys, etc.) all around the office at different distances from my seat/desk for a quick refocus. It was also suggested to get up (hurray!) and stand in different positions in my office and focus on various points in the room (if you let you let your mind drift, it's even more refreshing! It's amazing how different your workspace looks when you're away from the desk.). I was also told to blink more - when you work on your own, there is barely any interaction with others which means less blinking and the eyes in turn receive less lubrication. These are just quick outtakes from the work. Ultimately, I just have to take myself off to do something practical (housework generally) for 5-10 mins every hour if I'm on a mission. Good luck! ▲ Collapse
| | | | | What about physical exercises? | Jan 22, 2013 |
You could do some exercises on a Swiss ball - really good for your core muscles but there are plenty of other options - for instance I've installed in my "office" a rowing machine - perfect distraction and also strengthens core muscles what is important for people whose jobs involve sitting down for hours.
| | |
|
|
|
IrimiConsulting
Sweden
Local time: 14:41
Member (2010)
English to Swedish
+ ...
| Indoor RC toys! | Jan 22, 2013 |
Buy an indoor RC helicopter (or, better yet, a quadrocopter) and learn aerobatics!
Joke aside: some kind of exercise that requires strong focus is my recommendation. I lift heavy weights regularly, which is good exercise also for the mind.
[Edited at 2013-01-22 21:51 GMT]
| | | | | Is this a cultural matter? | Jan 22, 2013 |
Marvin Sun wrote:
Paper crafts and knitting sound interesting, but I’m a man so I think they are a little bit feminine for me. I think ladies could try those two crafts when feeling like relaxing their eyes, guess they would be very helpful.
I can tell you there is nothing wrong with a man knitting, at least here in Europe. One of my sons likes to knit, and I can tell you is a very normal male in all respects.
| | | | Theo Bernards (X)
France
Local time: 14:41
English to Dutch
+ ...
| To strengthen the muscles around your eyes... | Jan 22, 2013 |
First, roll your chair away from your desk but keep facing your screen. Next, take your index finger and put the tip to the tip of your nose. Now slowly pull it away into the direction of your screen while following it with your eyes. When you have a fully stretched arm and are still looking at your finger tip, slowly move it to the right and keep following it - without moving your head - until it disappears out of view. Slowly bring the finger back into view and move it all the way to the left ... See more First, roll your chair away from your desk but keep facing your screen. Next, take your index finger and put the tip to the tip of your nose. Now slowly pull it away into the direction of your screen while following it with your eyes. When you have a fully stretched arm and are still looking at your finger tip, slowly move it to the right and keep following it - without moving your head - until it disappears out of view. Slowly bring the finger back into view and move it all the way to the left while following it with your eyes - again, don't move your head - until it disappears out of view.
Bring the finger tip to your nose again and stretch your arm again, all the while following it with your eyes. Now, move your finger upward, again following it with your eyes only and again without moving your head, until it disappears out of sight, and repeat that but this time while moving your finger downward. do these exercises two times a day and you will most probably find that after a while your eyes don't get so tired so quickly.
My wife found this exercise in the waiting room of an ophthalmologist and I must admit, sceptic as I am, it works... ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Pages in topic: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Any craftsmanship to move my eyesight away from the screen? | Trados Studio 2022 Freelance | The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.
Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop
and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
More info » |
| | CafeTran Espresso | You've never met a CAT tool this clever!
Translate faster & easier, using a sophisticated CAT tool built by a translator / developer.
Accept jobs from clients who use Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast & major CAT tools.
Download and start using CafeTran Espresso -- for free
Buy now! » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
