About 30,000 people receive my newsletter. I send it every two weeks. Subscribe and get a free list of my favorite digital tools.
Share
[Electric Speed] Your favorite computer mice | Better health research | Ocean of Books
Published 5 days ago • 7 min read
Electric Speed is a biweekly newsletter that shares resources for creative people (since 2009!), brought to you by Jane Friedman. Sign up here.
A note from Jane
As much as I teach other people about author websites, it’s been a long time since I implemented meaningful changes on my own. Finally, last weekend, I remedied that by doing some much needed backend work to make it easier for writers to search and find the best information I have to offer. The menu system now allows visitors to browse, search, and filter by topic, with the most popular and important articles appearing at the top of any page. (To try it out yourself, visit my site and click on Topics in the menu.)
The work didn’t take long, and once I finished, I had to ask myself why I hadn’t put this change in place years ago. I have no good answer, except that when you work for yourself for as long as I have, it’s easy to become complacent, stick with “good enough,” or otherwise lose sight of your vision.
Part of my vision is offering freely accessible information about the business of writing and publishing. Over the years, though, fewer people have been able to find that information at my site, or understand it was even available, because it has been hidden under what I used to call the “blog” — a word that can undersell things.
One of the prompts I gave myself that led to me knuckling down: If someone came along, saw what I was doing and also understood my vision, what weakness would be apparent? For me, the answer was immediate. My website content (and my skills in doing technical website work) is one of my greatest strengths, yet I’m not even remotely taking full advantage of it.
FREE WEBINAR: 3 Things Agents and Publishers Must See in Your First 30 Pages
When an agent or publisher gets your manuscript they decide quickly if the opening section intrigues them enough to read on — or reject. This free webinar shows you the 3 elements the first 30 pages of your novel or memoir must have to succeed. Hosted by bestselling author and acclaimed book coach Barbara Kyle. Space is limited so reserve your spot now!
Here are some of the latest things I’ve discovered. (I am not paid to mention any of these resources; there are no affiliate links.)
Terrific way to research supplements: Examine
This is one of those amazingly high-quality reference sites where I’m astonished I did not know about it years ago. Examine.com summarizes the latest research and evidence surrounding the use of supplements to treat health conditions. While it has a paid version, I’ve been able to get by with what’s freely available. It also has a free email course to help you better use and understand their site if you sign up for their newsletter. No ads, no sponsorships, independently run.
Ocean of Books: a beautiful map of authors
The only disappointing thing is how few authors seem to be included. Explore.
Oddly Specific Playlists
My husband brought this to my attention: a Facebook group, Oddly Specific Playlists, helps people crowdsource a playlist of songs based on very narrow (odd) criteria. The group has more than 360,000 members! 😱 Some of the recent requests: songs about mayonnaise; songs that are exactly 3 minutes and 36 seconds long; songs about a place that should feel like home but isn’t any more. Hmm, some of these would make good writing prompts!
For very intense DIY deep-tissue massage
Anyone who deals with tight leg muscles is probably familiar with foam rolling, but have you ever used the ROLL Recovery deep tissue massager? It is ... intense. The first few times I tried it, I could hardly stand to use it, but it has become more manageable over time. It’s fantastic for working out knots and preventing lower body injuries.
NEXT ONLINE CLASS
Oct. 10: Platform Building When You’d Rather Write—Literary Strategies to Elevate Your Career with Jane Friedman
In partnership with Writer’s Digest: Worried that you’re not all that good at marketing and promotion? Most effective promotion is centered on existing or potential relationships, not aggressively marketing yourself. And the most enlightened approach to this is called literary citizenship. It advocates lifting up and bringing attention to literature, reading, books, and other pursuits that are intrinsic to authorship and publishing. You’re not competing with others, but collaborating; when others succeed, you will succeed too.
In the last issue, I asked you to share what computer mouse you use. Here’s a selection of what you said. The Logitech MX series was the runaway favorite.
If home/static use, the Logitech G502 (I have a very old model) is an excellent powerhouse, but on the go I default to the Logitech MX Anywhere. Both have multiple programmable buttons that I use primarily to help me browse easily on the web. I’ve heard of people who program theirs to copy/paste text as needed. Bonus: the G502’s settings can be saved to the mouse, so you can use them on different devices without needing the original program. —Patricia P.
I’ve been using Logitech MX Master series of mice for years. The most current version is the MX Master 3S. It is cordless and holds its charge for a week or two of pretty heavy use. Its only downside is that it’s for right-handed use only. I’m a lefty, but have always used a mouse with my right hand so it hasn’t ever been a problem. —Michael Saltz
I love the Evoluent 2.0 vertical mouse. It was recommended for me following surgery due to repetitive stress injuries caused by decades of keyboard and mouse use. It’s available in a USB and cordless model. While it takes some getting used to, my hands no longer tires even if I spend hours at the computer. Expensive but worth every penny. —Wendi Rossi
I was having some wrist and elbow issues that I was pretty sure were mouse based so I got the Logitech LIFT that allows for a more organized arm position. Works like a charm. Also, just be aware, there are two models so if you mouse with your left, choose the left one! —Emily Davis
Doesn't matter if you’re a PC or MAC user; the Logitech MX Master 3 is the hands-down best. You can use it on multiple displays and even computers. Full of functions, but also simple to use and very ergonomic. Well worth the investment. —James Connolly
Ever since I started having wrist pains I started using the Logitech vertical ergonomic mouse and it has helped a lot. I believe it also comes in pink for those who like to pretty up their office. —K.
I use the Contour RollerMouse because I have shoulder issues. You mouse only with your thumbs. I’ve used it for years and love it. —Lora Arbrador
I recommend the Razer DeathAdder mouse. I started using a gaming e-sports mouse with a dorky name because as I get older, I find it harder to do fine-tuned things on my monitor. One version I had actually had a “clutch” button that basically slowed the mouse down when you clicked it. So a feature designed specifically for sniping enemies in video games meant I could actually click those tiny buttons on my screen! —Len Epp
My life has been changed by Logitech’s MX Ergo. That’s not hyperbole. I used to get awful forearm tightness/RSI from using a mouse with my right hand, and the Ergo has reduced that pain considerably. It only took me a few hours to get used to using it and I’ve never gone back. My husband has even jumped on the bandwagon now! —Melanie
I love my Logitech M720, which lets me toggle between two PCs and my phone by clicking the thumb button. It also has a wheel that toggles between regular scrolling and INFINITE SCROLL with one click. In Infinite Scroll mode, I can flick to the very bottom or top of a document or web page with one spin! —Roland Denzel
I’ve used many different kinds of mice at work and at home, but my favorite is the Logitech Pebble M350. It comes in several colors and connects to a laptop via Bluetooth, which keeps those ever-disappearing laptop USB ports free for more important features like thumb drives and phone charging. The mouse is compact, lightweight and comes with a dongle too, in case a Bluetooth connection isn’t available. And because of its compact size, it’s perfect for remote workers who have to travel to the office now and again. —Susan Stonitsch
Finally, my thanks to David Mitchell, who offered this useful advice on how to modify Apple’s standard “magic” mouse:
I like the features of the Apple Magic Mouse, but whoever decided that charging from the bottom made a very bad design decision. The mouse is also a little small for some people’s hands. I purchased a base you put the mouse into that makes it a bit larger for my hands and I can also just set it on one of those induction chargers instead of trying to plug it in on the bottom. So, wherever I need to change it I just place it on the charger where I would charge my AirPods. It has made the mouse much better. —David Mitchell
Next question: Do you have a favorite solo game to play while on a long journey (car, plane, or train)? Let me know. Hit reply to this message, or head over to Discord to share.
Electric Speed is a biweekly newsletter that shares resources for creative people (since 2009!), brought to you by Jane Friedman. Sign up here. A note from Jane You can really tell when a business doesn’t care about its customer experience, and it goes far beyond poor customer service. Let me explain. During the summers, I spend 5–10 hours per week on a treadmill, and this year I’m training for a half-marathon. I’m using a training program available through iFIT, a subscription-based business...
Electric Speed is a biweekly newsletter that shares resources for creative people (since 2009!), brought to you by Jane Friedman. Sign up here. A note from Jane How does one celebrate an unwanted milestone? My mother will soon (fate willing) turn 90 years old, and since none of her other nine siblings reached that age, she still doesn’t expect to make it. Nor does she feel like celebrating. She prefers her quiet routine at home, in a predictable and low-risk environment, with few surprises....
Electric Speed is a biweekly newsletter that shares resources for creative people (since 2009!), brought to you by Jane Friedman. Sign up here. A note from Jane I don’t think I approach my romantic relationships like a business, but evidence may suggest something to the contrary. My first marriage was to a Czech citizen attending grad school in the US. After living together for five years, we both became frustrated with his limited and low-paid work options on a student visa. So I suggested...