Posted on 17th Nov 2011 @ 4:21 AM

"Crowdsourcing" is one of newest buzzwords in business today. It describes the concept of enlisting the general public to solve a problem or complete a task -- and the more, the merrier. But this is far from a novel concept; the idea has been around for years in the form of online discussion boards.

These forums are broken down by areas of interest, so if someone wants to talk about a topic, chances are there's a discussion board out there on which to do it. If you want to know more about the field of ergonomics, here are a half-dozen online forums you may want to check out.

1. Ergoweb.com. This 17-year old discussion forum is billed as the "most popular and respected information sharing forum in the ergonomics industry." The General Ergonomics subsection alone has over a thousand entries. Topics range from ergonomic products to physical injuries to technical specifications.
   
   
2. Ergonomictimes.com. If you’re looking for an in-depth look at the repetitive stress injuries related to non-ergonomic products, this is the forum for you. The discussion board covers everything from the different types of RSI injuries and how they occur to treatment options and products that can prevent them. You can even shop for ergonomic chairs and other products elsewhere on the site.
   
   
3. Eng-tips.com. This site has brainy engineers addressing numerous complex topics, and the ergonomic engineering forum under the “Human Factors” setting has some well-researched information. Engineers are the ones tasked with incorporating ergonomics into systems and workplaces, so they have a vested interest in these kinds of issues. Recent discussions include grips for hand tools, ergonomic exercises, and the force application of fingers.
   
   
4. DailyStrength.org. The parent site hosts message boards on a variety of topics that not only inform users about new developments, but also provide support for people going through tough times. Its Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Support Group is a treasure trove of advice and guidance from people who have suffered from the affliction. Posters discuss ergonomic products, pain relief, surgical options, and many more subjects which will resonate with the millions of people who have CPT.
   
   
5. About Ergonomics. This is part of the massive About.com network of websites and forums which strive to educate consumers on practically every topic imaginable. Dozens of discussions are going on here, focusing on areas like back pain, productivity, and even ergonomic "starter kits." About.com actively recruits hundreds of writers to research specific topics of interest and provide articles which educate consumers.
   
   
6. The V7 network. This web development discussion board covers a wide range of subject matters, but the Wrist Pain and Ergonomics subsection of its Off-Topic Forum is well-visited. Recent threads cover office keyboards, treatment plans, and stretching tips. After all, tech geeks are some of the prime candidates for carpal tunnel syndrome and related conditions.

Computer users have been exchanging ideas through virtual forums for almost as long as the Internet has been around. For individuals who want to learn more about ergonomics and many of its related subjects, these discussion boards are a good place to start.