Not just a keyboard--a whole new way to type
Written: Jan 07 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: excellent positioning of alpha, arrow and delete keys
Cons: none I can think of
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| Blanche21's Full Review: Kinesis Ergonomics Contour Keyboard |
I’m a professional writer with repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) in both arms: carpal tunnel syndrome in one, tendonitis in the other. So my husband bought me a Kinesis Classic M/PC ergonomic keyboard for Christmas.
The unit features a split keyboard, constructed as two wells. Keys are also closer together than in a typical keyboard, and are arranged in vertical rows rather than the typical staggered layout. The result of these three attributes is that my fingers don’t have to stretch to reach the keys--even the number keys. The spacing, return, delete and command keys are in the middle, so my thumbs (which are stronger) not my pinkies (which are weaker) do more of the work.
This particular unit adapts back and forth between a Mac and a PC--very handy for people who want a single keyboard for, say, their Mac at home and their PC at work. It’s also got the standard "qwerty" layout, but can be re-programmed for the more ergonomic Dvorak layout. There’s also an optional foot switch for shifting and converting part of the alpha keyboard into a numeric keypad, which I don't have. But I can also press a key on the keyboard to switch to keypad mode.
The unit comes with a diskette full of keyboarding exercises to help the first-time user adjust. Oddly, the diskette isn’t Mac-compatible; Mac users have to work from a hard-copy pamphlet. The documentation also includes a wealth of tips for using your computer more ergonomically, from how to position your monitor to chair height--even lighting.
For the first four days of using the keyboard I spent only an hour or two each day on it. The first two days I only did the exercises and wrote a couple of short emails. I really didn’t start to get my speed and accuracy up, though, until I spent about an hour playing Tangleword (www.playsite.com) using just the keyboard, not the mouse. Today I feel like I’m at about 90% in terms of speed and accuracy.
The one thing I still consistently screw up is to hit the return key instead of the space key. Both are next to each other at the right thumb position. I still tend to have my
thumb
on
the
wrong
key when I type without thinking.
But I love having two delete keys at my left thumb, one forward, one backward. And thanks to good positioning, I'm now learning to put the arrow keys to better use, which keeps me off the mouse.
Someone who doesn’t follow touch-typing conventions might have a longer learning curve, I suspect. The keyboard really compels the user to be a touch typist--otherwise, why bother?
Now, the good news: since I’ve been using this keyboard, my RSIs have stopped flaring up. They’re not gone; RSIs, after all, are injuries, and take time to heal. But it no longer feels like my typing is aggravating them.
Last week two clients contacted me with major projects for the month of January, projects that will require writing a large amount of copy under tight deadlines. By the time they get their stuff together, I’ll be ready to hit the ground running.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 315
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Epinions.com ID:
Blanche21
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Location: Salem MA
Reviews written: 22
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Visit my website to learn more about my writing services.
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