Kinesis Keyboard or Microsoft

• Kinesis Keyboard or Microsoft - Hjs
  • bought a Kinesis Freestyle Solo about 3 weeks ago - Glo
  • no, i went the other way, - sm
    • I had looked at a Kinesis years ago, but... - sm

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is the touch really noticeably softer?  Can you just plug it in and go, without any retraining self to speak of? 

thanks.

Okay, any lefties use this keyboard? How long did it take to get used to? I use my left thumb for the space bar and I notice on a diagram of the keys that I would always be hitting the backspace key.

I'm really interested in getting a better keyboard. I destroyed my left hand and wrist the other week when I fell because I'm becoming a real klutz.

I bought the Soft Flex gloves, but they only help a little bit. My production is down because of it and it's driving me crazy. I can only type an hour without stopping and then have to rest the hand for some time.

I did buy a Microsoft 2000 keyboard but have yet to recieve it. Is this a good one?

Do you use a keyboard tray with it or just set it on the desk? Do you think a kayboard tray would be the least expensive item right now that would help with a straight keyboard?

Any info you can provide to help me in making any decision would be greatfully appreciated.

'Scuse me for being old school, but I've only ever used a straight keyboard.

I have been using the Professional Kinesis for maybe eight or nine years and it is the best.  I would not even consider going back no matter what the cost.  When I look at my son's regular keyboard, I think how did I ever work on a keyboard like this.  I tried all the other keyboards Microsoft Natural, etc. but the Kinesis is worth every penny.  My hands and wrists used to kill me and since getting this keyboard I have had almost no problems. Of couse, now and then your hands will still hurt but I probably would have had to quit typing years ago if not for this keyboard.  It takes a little getting used to, may a couple days or week or so but not very long.  Good Luck

Just bought one. It came with an exercise booklet and I am trying to do those exercises. It states not to wrist your hands on the wrist rests. Then why have them?

Does anyone think the keys are too noisy and "claky"? I thought they would be a really soft touch and quiet.

I found that I cannot keep my left hand on the home keys. How can I train my left hand to do that? Am I sitting wrong or do I have the keyboard situated wrong? I have it sitting straight on the top of the desk. Should I angle it a bit? 

I truly thought it would take me forever to get used to using the space bar (or should I say key?) but had no trouble at all.

Is there a place I can get more info on using the function keys and other keys at the top of the keyboard? I didn't find much on the website. So far, I like my Microsoft Ergo 200 better.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

It took me several days I believe to get use to the Kinesis. I just started out slow and when I became frustrated trying to use it I went back to the regular keyboard but soon found I was having more trouble typing on a regular keyboard so stuck with the Kinesis only and I would say it may have taken me two weeks to get back to speed but it has been well worth it to me.

I had OT come out to my house and they suggested I put something under the edge of my keyboard, the edge closest to me, so it would be basically neutral. I found a long wrist rest under that edge puts the keyboard at a perfect height for a neutral position. It is just one of those cheap foam ones like you find at Walmart but it works great.

It is the softest touch keyboard I have ever used which really ended finger fatigue for me. It also helped with my fingers aching and some of my hand pain. I had to change to an Evoluent mouse (as I posted below) and my right hand  hand/arm pain stopped.

Now, if only I could just find a way to stop my chronic back pain. :D

Let us know what you decide on and how it works for you, ok?

Kinesis Ergonomic Keyboard.  Newest technology, a MTs dream.  Feels like a cadillac when compared with other keyboards.  Purchased 10/2006, excellent condition.  Paid $350, will sell for $290--like new.  Adaptation exercise book.  Retired as MT.   Follow this link to review benefits:

http://www.kinesis-org.com/benefits.htm.

I'm on day 8 of slathering Ben-Gay all over my piddies and right shoulder for worsening pain that must be either tendonitis and/or bursitis.  It's totally frigging up my line counts and will to live. 

I've been wearing my SmartGloves and doing everything else "right" as far as stretching, taking breaks, and even getting up and doing "the hustle."  ;-)

The only 2 things I can think of needing replacing here are my chair and my keyboard.  I've been eyeballing that Kinesis contoured and it looks both sweet and scary at the same time.  I checked a YouTube video of it and it makes that little clicky noise I love, which means the keys snap back and are quick...love that.  I hate mushy keys. 

So, does anyone here use this particular keyboard and if so, would you recommend it?  I mean like HIGHLY recommend it?!  Sure is a steep price tag, and I am tight with a dollar, so be honest.  Thank you!

Oh--the link for the keyboard I'm fancyin' is:
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/    
It's the contoured one...fugly one farthest on the left.

Any replies would be greatly appreciated.    Thanks in Advance!

They tout it as the "most productive and comfortable ergonomic keyboard available."  There's no place to try one out, and at $299, I'm not sure I'm ready to part with the cash, even though they have a moneyback guarantee.  Even on eBay, when I have seen them, they are pretty pricey, and that would be even more risky, since you can't usually return things on eBay.  

Just wondering if you had any experience with it ........ thanks!   

Has anyone used this keyboard?  (It is the weird shaped one).  How comfortable are the hard plastic wrist rests?

I am faced with a decision between these 2 keyboards, both with pros and cons.  I would like to take a survey to see what everyone's opinion would be.   I strongly prefer a programmable keyboard, as I would like to change some of the keys around to suit me,  but will I regret not having an ergo keyboard in the long run?  Will I like the IBM clicky type keys? 

KINESIS FREESTYLE KEYBOARD
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/freestyle-solo_690x375.jpg
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo-v3-10-blk_690x306.jpg
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo_us_legend.jpg

It splits and tents.
Delete key is on left side (which I love)
All other function keys are in the wrong place for me.
Quiet low-force tactile membrane switch
10 function keys on left
Keypad separate purchase
2 year warranty
60-day money back guarantee
Price:  $124.15 with the options I chose

AVANT STELLAR KEYBOARD
http://www.lonestarkeyboards.com/Avant-Stellar-Programmable-Keyboard/productinfo/KB%2D00%2D1001/
(click on additional images for close up)
I actually went to the manufacturer website (http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/stellar.htm) but they didn’t have any large photos so I went to a reseller for larger images. 

Straight keyboard
Can program any key to another function. 
Mechanical click/tactile key switches like the old IBM keyboards
12 function keys on left that can be reprogrammed
Keypad built in
2 year warranty
30-day money back guarantee
Price:  $189.00
Macro programming features
PS/2 interface but can buy PS to USB cord (I find this a little odd)
Programming software not compatible with Vista but can be programmed through the keyboard

This is from the sales rep I spoke to this week:
Have you ever heard of Northgate OmniKey keyboards?  We purchased the rights to the keyboards when they went out of business.  It is like typing on an old IBM keyboard.  It is a loud click, you know when you hit a key.  A lot of customers say they make fewer errors and I personally agree.  I have had my Avant for a little over 10 years and I type all day long.  I also have one at home.  It might help for you to listen to this review on our website: http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/menu.htm
Click on HEAR OUR INTERVIEW ON Lets talk Computers. Avant is VERY reliable.  We sell to a lot of medical transcriptionists, writers, gamers, call center operators, etc.  People that type 8 hours a day 5+ days per week.  Our keyboards can really take a beating.  

What'cha think?

Thanks!

Hi, try Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000.  I don't know about the wireless ergo keyboard but I do know they are expensive than the wired ones.  You could contact your local Microsoft hardware dealer. 

I wanted to share a neat trick I recently figured out that I can do with my Microsoft USB Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (IntelliType Pro).  I recently posted a query asking if there was a way to turn numbering off and on without using the mouse (which I hate), and I've discovered that there is with this particular keyboard.  To turn the numbering feature on (for a list of current meds, for example), you hold down the Shift key, Ctrl key, and the key to the left of the Ctrl key that is the lower right of your keyboard (the key that looks like it has a picture of a page with an arrow on it).  This brings up a drop-down menu and you can select numbering or bullets from there.  the first time I did this, I discovered it made funky changes to my font, so I had to go in and set the font (by selecting the customize button in the lower right corner on the numbering option), and once I had it all tweaked to the way I wanted it, it appeared to have reset my default to the way to my preference.  I apologize if this is confusing, but if you have this keyboard, and you have any questions about my instructions, feel free to ask, and I'd be glad to try to help!

Does anyone ever experience problems with their Microsoft 4000 keyboard where it will suddenly appear as if the Caps lock has been pushed, and your punctuation marks come out wrong and words are suddenly filling in with all caps and no matter what you do, it continues to happen? 

I’ve worked in ChartScript and DocQScribe (currently working in the latter program) and had this happen.  It’s as if my keyboard and the software are having compatibility issues or something totally out of the blue.  Oftentimes, it will remedy itself, but if I do not want to wait that indeterminate amount of time, my experience has been that the only way to fix it is to totally shut down the computer and reboot, but that doesn’t always fix it.  It doesn’t only happen in ChartScript and DocQscribe.  I can open Word and type in there, and it does the same sort of squirrelly thing!

It’s so frustrating and wreaks havoc on productivity!!!

Does anyone use this keyboard?  I just got one thinking it would help my hands from hurting, but I am having a bit of a hard time adjusting to the keyboard.  Did anyone else have this problem?  If so, did you catch on, or did you have to return it?  I went from the plain keyboard to this, but It has  slowed me down tremendously.  I wonder if I should get an ergonomic keyboard without the split?  Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Any tips on how to get used to this keyboard?  i think it might relieve my neck pain but I keep hitting the wrong keys.  it took me a long time just to type this message!

Thanks,

Has anyone had a chance to try this new keyboard out yet?

I saw it at Best Buy yesterday and had a chance to give it a little hands-on feel. Very interesting. Started a little research and the reviews seem to be fairly positive (7/10 to 8/10).

But, I'm more trustworthy of feedback from people like MTs who really give keyboards a good "workout" on a daily basis.