Microsoft ergonomic 4000 with enhanced curve. Love it!

The keys are very soft to touch, keys are easy to hit and the wrist pad is a very comfortable soft, leather-like material.  It only has a USB plug-in but you can get an adapter. I paid $60.00 for it at OfficeMax.  It was well worth it. I will never use another keyboard!

• Keyboard with an extra soft touch? - worn out MT
  • The Kinesis Classic Keyboard is the softest touch I have used. (nm) - At Home MT
  • The Best, Soft, Air-touch Keyboard Around - OleSofty
  • Check these out: - Deb
  • Microsoft ergonomic 4000 with enhanced curve. Love it! - souzam
  • Logitech (sm) - Jan
  • Someone on this board recommended the... - D
  • Wal-Mart has a flexible keyboard for about $18 - Fingers2TheBone
  • I suggest going to some place like Best Buy - me
    • you are confusing RSI with carpal tunnel - worn out MT
      • Similar situation - sm

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IAny advice would be much appreciated.... Thanks So Much

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.

More about keyboards ... I don't think I would like the big MS 4000, because when I tested out large ones in the store one day, it felt too big and awkward for me; however, I did try a smaller one with just a slight curve that felt quite good.  (Unfortunately, I don't remember what make/model it was as I was not really shopping for one at the time.)

When looking around the web, it looks like it might have been the MS Comfort Curve 2000.  Does anyone have any experience with that one? 

Thanks for any feedback. 

I use the Microsoft 4000 and it is the only keyboard that I don't have pain with.  My wrist pain was so bad that I thought I would have to give this line of work up.  I have tried many many keyboards including Goldtouch, the other microsoft ergonomics (2000 and Elite), Belkin, Typematrix, Logitech split, Kensington comfort type, etc. ergonomic this and ergonomic that.  Wasted a lot of money looking for the right one.  But the the Microsoft 4000 was the one.   No more pain. 

The one thing that I do is use a mouse bridge over the number pad to bring the mouse in closer and I also got an ergonomic mouse.  The investment was well worth it because it increased my comfort.

I got 2 of the MS4000 keyboards on ebay for about 12 bucks with 10 bucks shipping.  It was worth 25 dollars.  If you are willing to buy from there you don't need to pay 50 dollars and can probably get with shipping under 25 or so.  Good luck.

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!!!

Another keyboard in this same curved group is the microsoft wireless 4000.  You can access 5 "favorites" with the push of a button (I have Mtstars as #3, so don't have to go to Internet, type the Mtstars in the address box), and 5 other buttons on the side of the keyboard you can program to whatever you want also.  Definitely is a time saver when trying to find something.  And the slight curve is definitely a saver on the wrists and not such a change like some ergonomic keyboards to try get used to.  It is a little more expensive, but definitely worth it, as long as we have to be on the keyboards as many hours as we are.

Best one I ever had.  It has all the programmable shortcut buttons at the top for programs and/or webpages and is extremely comfortable.  I used to have problems with my hands hurting a lot after a full day of working and now it is gone.  It took about a week for me to get used to the feel of the split board, but now I can't stand using a regular one.  I even take this one when I travel to my in-laws.

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. 

just purchased a store-return new backup keyboard through Amazon for around $25 dollars ..

New, at my local CompUSA they were close to $60 regularly and went down to around $40 on special ... that store closed and I'm not sure where I would buy one now (most places do not carry them) ...the time and angst spent replacing a keyboard in a hurry is REAL and well worth preparing for (also keyboards keep getting  redesigned which is really annoying when you're typing all day and have to switch in a hurry -- so it's great to have an "old model" on standby -- I last had to replace my keyboard when I popped off a key that was sticking and it went flying and I have NEVER found it ... it was an N) 

I've found this particular model to be comfy and durable --- I didn't think I would like it and I really do -- it's quiet and has good key play.

My next purchase is going to be QuickLook Drug book on DISK since it can do wildcard searches of partial lookup -- my old web site for that "changed" and is not helpful and there are SO many bad Google entries.

Anything that makes you more comfortable with less fighting your desk also helps --- a decent chair and glare protection, a foot rest .

and SAMPLES when I start a new account I save almost every report I type, even if they are full of blanks -- which I fill in when I review my QA  -- invaluable for saving time figuring out H&P mumbles and  particularly op note

I use RED NOTEBOOK from Horus development (link below) ... I am not aware of anything comparable ... it's searchable. You can, for instance, upload a hospital medical staff roster  if saved in TXT, edit and print out lists,  just fabulous for new accounts with new terms / medications/ names for things.

Good luck.

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,

I had an in-house job for 3 years, hired in off the street, no experience.  Three months later, another girl hired in, same situation.  Paid hourly, no ESL, and we had the opportunity to talk to the doctors in person about any issue.

By the time I left, I was the highest producer in the office.  She was still struggling with the simplest words and phrases, still asking the same questions she asked the week she hired in, still needing help from somebody else all day long. She would cry from frustration because she couldn't get her act together.  Other people that hired in after her got the hang of it much faster and were soon helping her too.  I asked management on many occasions why they just didn't show her the door, and they said I was being harsh and that some people just couldn't learn as fast as others.  I wonder why she didn't just go find a different kind of job instead of hanging around driving herself and everyone else nuts.

In time it all gets better.  Usually.  Some people aren't cut out to be MTs, for them it never gets better.  I felt the way you do when I started out in-house (no former training).  But I was stubborn, and I learned, and knew I was getting better.  Then I started working at home - BIG learning curve, had no idea my hospital job was so easy!  But I was stubborn, and I learned and improved.  Next job - more learning.  New accounts with constantly changing specifics - keep learning.  In this job, you learn every day - a new phrase, a new production tip, the fact that you've been spelling something wrong, etc.

Just take a deep breath and realize they are trying to help you.  Thank them for every correction, because its what they need you to do.  Make a lot of notes.  And you can and will improve, if you're stubborn enough to make your investment pay.

Good morning everyone ... I'm starting at-home work this week for a new hospital, out of my area.  How long should I expect of a learning curve?  It's been a while since Ive done NEW accounts !

How long does it take you guys to get up to par - and that money starts really pouring in?  I did a few reports this weekend - and between the strange names, accents, procedures - it's going to take me a while before I'm lucrative. 

What's your experience w/ new accounts ?

Thanks everyone!

JoJo