From a programmer's point of view
Written: Feb 15 '02 (Updated Aug 25 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: light keys, ctrl/alt/enter/etc are thumb operations, highly programmable, professional feel
Cons: cost, SHIFT key still pinky operated, macro feature occasionally locks up
The Bottom Line: Like gloves it does not fit everyone. Personally, I've used all kinds of keyboards from Goldtouch, Microsoft, Logitech, etc and this is by far my favorite.
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| calalumni's Full Review: Kinesis Ergonomics Contour Keyboard |
First of all it is important to read this in context. Without context, this review would be less relevant to you as the reader.
I am a 28 year old computer programmer. I've been programming since I was 10 years old (QuickBasic, Turbo Pascal, etc). My typing speed averages at around 85 WPM, that is, until I was diagnosed with RSI two years ago. Even though I typed more when I was in college than now, my metabolism changed drastically in the last few years and the symptoms of RSI started to surface until my hands hurt so much that I had to take vacation every once in a while to reduce my pain. My story is not uncommon. RSI, repetitive stress syndrome is simply a function of time; it is just a matter of time before a runners have worn out knees, gymnists have worn out joints, and computer programmers have worn out fingers/wrists. When you're young, your body can quick absorb and repair whatever damage you have. But as you get older, that ability diminishes. RSI is not something that comes and goes. Once you have it, it stays with you. You can make small adjustments; slowing down the rate at which your body is damaged by typing less, switching to Dvorak layout, or using a lighter keyboard. You can also to some extent increase the rate at which you repair your body through aerobic exercise. But once you have RSI, it never goes away completely (so says my doctor).
A few months ago I switched to the Dvorak key layout which reduce my pain, but my small fingers still hurt. You see, one of the problems of being a programmer is that you're very dependent on certain keys, like ctrl, alt, and enter which I press with my pinky every single day. Last week my hands hurt so much that I decided to get a Kinesis Contour Classis Qwerty/Dvorak keyboard. I wished that I had gotten it earlier which would have reduced the wear and tear that I had accumulated since I was a kid. When you're young, you tend to feel invincible and you just don't know how to take care of your body till it's too late.
The Classic and the professional models are totally programmable through the hardware (keyboard has a persistent memory) so you don't have to install any software or drivers. You can map any key to any key. You can also add in long macro, again all in the hardware. The keys are quiet and light, requiring minimal efforts to type. This is the only keyboard where ctrl, alt, enter, backspace, etc are moved to thumb operations which drastically reduces the programmers' pinky pain (the infamous Emacs pinky). The keyboard is actually smaller than most of the keyboards out there because the number keypads are merged with the alphabets... to switch to the number mode there is a key that changes M=1, J=4, U=7, and so on. Also the page up/dn, home/end keys are thumb operations, and that saves a lot of space. The keyboard itself is made up of light plastic material and looked like a toy. But when you start to use it, it has a very professional feel.
Before you go out and get this keyboard, I must confess that this keyboard is NOT for everyone. First of all, it does not cure whatever RSI induced ailment you have. It merely reduces it. There are so many factors that need to be taken into account, like posture, table height, chair, lighting, so on and so forth. Secondly, this is not a replacement for physical therapy. If you have a problem, you need to see a doctor. And finally, if you're not mentally keen enough to adapt to new things, this is not the right keyboard for you. For example if you can't touch type (typing without looking at the keyboard) then this is the wrong keyboard for you. If you're heavily dependent on the number keypad and can't mentally remap the regular alphabet keys to the number keypads then this is the wrong keyboard for you. A common complaint for this keyboard is the learning curve. For me, that is not a problem because I can feel the keys and quickly remember where they are. For me, this is just yet another complex video game controller that requires good hand coordination-- great because I've been a video game fanatic since I was a kid. Also my sense of touch is above average because I've played piano for over 15 years (I can play Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Beethoven, etc blindfolded), and my IQ is 150 so adapting to this keyboard took less than an hour, not days. In short if you're a lousy typist this keyboard will not magically make you a better typist. But if you're already a decent touch typist, this keyboard has the potential to allow you to type more "effectively" (type with less effort, less pain, less fatique).
While I love the keyboard, I didn't give it 5 stars for the following reason:
- spacebar is only on the right side. Bad design because the right hand is already overworked with the enter key. Fortunately you can remap *any key* to *any key* (e.g. you can remap CTRL to ALT and ALT to CTRL, etc).
- The keyboard should split apart for people with wider shoulder.
- It is very expensive. How can starving students afford this keyboard? There should be special educational discounts for universities.
- Occasionally the macro feature locks up the keyboard (and you need to unplug/plug it). Really annoying, but happens only if you use the macro feature.
- shift key is still pinky operated. If ctrl, alt, etc are thumb operated, why not the shift key? There is a Kinesis foot pedal that activates shift, but that is another $100.
- the middle of the keyboard is empty. A better design is to add a trackball, cut/paste button, and a page scroll similar to the Microsoft keyboard.
- missing Windows key (though you can activate it through certain key combos).
Overall this is a well designed keyboard. Short of the chording keyboards and the Datahand keyboards I've used nearly all the ones out there from Split Goldtouch, Microsoft Natural, Logitech Ergo, etc-- there is no doubt that the Kinesis Contour Classic Dvorak is by far my favorite. This keyboard is definitely not for everyone, and you should test drive it if possible. The retail price for this keyboard is pretty high, but if you're willing to spend some time searching for keyboard dealers on major search engines, you'll find really good deals. I bought my Classic Dvorak for only $235 (shipping included).
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The following section is for people who already have the keyboard:
I've customized my keyboard in the following ways which is the most "type effective" if you're a programmer. They are remapped so that the most frequently keys are thumb operated:
- Shift is harmful to your pinky. That's why my Backspace is Shift, Delete is Backspace, and Insert is Delete (since delete is rarely pressed anyways). Then I remapped pause/break to Insert since that is even more rarely pressed.
- Home is Tab and End is ESC
- Tab is Home and L-shift is End
Apparently many people on the web have remapped it similarly, following the common sense that the most frequently used keys should be thumb operated to alleviate your small fingers which are most injury prone.
Good luck, and safe typing!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 235
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Epinions.com ID:
calalumni
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Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 2 members
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