Evoluent VerticalMouse 2 promotes ergonomic "handshake" positioning

For anyone who's suffered from the aches and pains associated with repetitive stress injuries, one of the hardest things to find is an ergonomic pointing device. One recent entrant with an intriguing approach is the Evoluent VerticalMouse 2, a second-generation optical mouse that is designed to be gripped by the entire hand in a vertical "handshake" position, rather than in the standard palms-down pose. The manufacturer claims the shape eliminates one of the major culprits leading to RSI: twisted forearms. While we can see how the design might be useful for gamers or others who keep their hands on their pointers for long periods of time, we worry that it could lead to more twisting among those who constantly switch from keyboard to mouse, since you'll be moving from palms-down on the keys to the handshake position on the mouse. But if you're looking for something to reduce those wrist and finger pains, and are willing to risk $60 for it, the VerticalMouse — which comes in both left and right-handed versions — could be worth a try.