Author Topic: Kinesis Contoured Try & Forward (Read 44564 times)

__red__ · « **Reply #150 on:** Sun, 07 October 2012, 08:49:35 »

What city it's he in? Maybe there's a geekhacker close enough to help him ship it in case he's fallen on hard times or something.

StaCT13 · « **Reply #151 on:** Thu, 25 October 2012, 17:48:06 »

At this point, I'm really hoping this thing isn't dead. But, with the month-long gaps between posts, I honestly have no clue.

Don't mean to be a downer, just trying to get this thing rolling again. I'm still really interested in trying this thing out!

sordna · « **Reply #152 on:** Thu, 25 October 2012, 22:57:21 »

If you can get 500_pts to respond, please be my guest. This would be still going strong, but unfortunately he disappeared with my keyboard.

xsphat · « **Reply #153 on:** Sun, 18 November 2012, 08:44:52 »

This sucks, sorry to hear about it. Did you ever get your keyboard back or hear from the guy?

MissMurd3r84 · « **Reply #154 on:** Sun, 18 November 2012, 08:49:51 »

Hmm. He was last active on the 9th November.

xsphat · « **Reply #155 on:** Sun, 18 November 2012, 18:26:49 »

I would have so signed up for this, but i would have passed it on at the end of my turn ... years ago this was done with blank hhkb keysets and all manner if other things.

sordna · « **Reply #156 on:** Mon, 28 January 2013, 23:18:17 »

I've PM'd Slueth, Daniel Beaver (they haven't responded in a few days) and Quarzac asking for their address, which I'll be emailing to 500_pts (we've exchanged some emails, he still has the keyboard).
Whoever wants the keyboard next, better respond to my PM !

Daniel Beaver · « **Reply #157 on:** Thu, 28 March 2013, 15:42:20 »

Just picked it up from the post office, I'm going to give it a whirl at work this week.

Daniel Beaver · « **Reply #158 on:** Fri, 05 April 2013, 20:22:41 »

Alright, I've been using it at my office for a week. Impressions:

- There's an annoyingly long learning curve. You need more than a week to get used to this. The lower row keys were especially hard to get used to, because of the straight matrix layout of the keys (which is probably a good thing overall, though).
- The position of the ctrl and alt keys totally blows. They are too far up the board, so you have to move your hand partially out of typing position to reach them with your thumb.
- I could see this being useful as a therapeutic device, but I'm not convinced that it's a good buy for any other reason. The way your hands sit is very pleasing (with the natural wristwrests and the wide spacing in the middle), but it really screws with your muscle memory.

I'm going to box it up and send it to the next person - would that be slueth or Quarzac?

sordna · « **Reply #159 on:** Fri, 05 April 2013, 22:02:52 »

Thanks for writing your impressions. The OP has the user order, ask the users for their address by PM. Order is allowed to change if a user has disappeared.

pyro · « **Reply #160 on:** Sat, 06 April 2013, 06:54:09 »

I think someone in here said you're not supposed to rest your hands on the keyboard while typing, so maybe if you hover your hands the thumb key positions will work for you. Although I tried and it didn't work for me.

Daniel Beaver · « **Reply #161 on:** Sat, 06 April 2013, 10:54:00 »

Quote from: pyro on Sat, 06 April 2013, 06:54:09

I think someone in here said you're not supposed to rest your hands on the keyboard while typing, so maybe if you hover your hands the thumb key positions will work for you. Although I tried and it didn't work for me.

I tried that method awhile back, but it gave me tennis elbow

sordna · « **Reply #162 on:** Sat, 06 April 2013, 13:12:18 »

Folks, when you type on regular keyboards (which usually don't have a wrist rest) do you anchor your wrists on the desk during typing? That will ruin your hands over time.
Think piano... pianists play and their hands float over the keyboard, it's much healthier.

BTW regarding my keyboard's switches, don't judge brown switches by this keyboard, it's like 20 years old and they are completely worn out. I don't love browns, but they are not as bad as you'll find them on this particular ancient board.

Daniel Beaver · « **Reply #163 on:** Sat, 06 April 2013, 20:33:33 »

Quote from: sordna on Sat, 06 April 2013, 13:12:18

BTW regarding my keyboard's switches, don't judge brown switches by this keyboard, it's like 20 years old and they are completely worn out. I don't love browns, but they are not as bad as you'll find them on this particular ancient board.

I'll have to track down a newer board to try them on. The clickyness of blues annoys me.

Torious · « **Reply #164 on:** Wed, 17 April 2013, 15:09:49 »

Just seeing this thread for the first time -- What a great idea!
I'd like to be added to the list, if I qualify with my meager rep...

I'm in Europe btw, not sure if that complicates things. Perhaps more interested members are in Europe and the keyboard can make its rounds here at some point! (without incurring $30 back-and-forth shipping across the ocean)

wolfv · « **Reply #165 on:** Sun, 21 April 2013, 15:37:30 »

This is very generous of you sordna. Please put me on the list of participants.

Quarzac · « **Reply #166 on:** Wed, 15 May 2013, 05:15:05 »

Is sleuth next? I'l probably have to forward it pretty soon- it came to me at a kind of lousy time, with a move and a 2 week venture across the country at the end of this week. I may take it home with me, but it depends on if I can get it in my luggage. The thing is pretty beat up, so I am hesitant to do so.

sordna · « **Reply #167 on:** Wed, 15 May 2013, 09:03:42 »

When did you receive it? I'd like to update the OP with the date. It's up to you whether to keep it or forward it.
Slueth was supposed to be before you, but guess he did not respond; he hasn't logged in in a while.
You can try to PM Slueth and Piken if you want to forward it before your move, and see who responds... the OP has the intended order of participants, but they have to be responsive :-)

daerid · « **Reply #168 on:** Wed, 15 May 2013, 10:18:28 »

I'm curious. Please put me at the end of the list. I'll be moving on June 1st, so my address is still up in the air.

vvp · « **Reply #169 on:** Wed, 15 May 2013, 13:57:19 »

Quote from: Quarzac on Wed, 15 May 2013, 05:15:05

Is sleuth next? I'l probably have to forward it pretty soon- it came to me at a kind of lousy time, with a move and a 2 week venture across the country at the end of this week. I may take it home with me, but it depends on if I can get it in my luggage. The thing is pretty beat up, so I am hesitant to do so.

I carried one over Atlantic. I bought a bigger bag and put it into the center. It still satisfied airline limits. It went as unchecked luggage. No problem in my case.

Quarzac · « **Reply #170 on:** Fri, 24 May 2013, 16:25:41 »

Made it across the country with it. I'll forward it before I head back across. While I enjoy the keyboard, it's not for me where I am in my life right now. It is not a keyboard for gaming on, which is how I spend a decent amount of my time. I could see it being an asset when I make my way into the workplace and am typing all day every day, but as a student right now I don't have a great need. It did improve my two handed typing in the short time I used it though. Maybe at some point in the distant future I will pick one up with reds. Thanks for the opportunity!

EDIT: Received sometime around 5-2-2013. Not totally sure when exactly, because there's usually a delay of a day or so from tracking to me, but roughly then.

Quarzac · « **Reply #171 on:** Wed, 29 May 2013, 22:30:56 »

Have not heard from Slueth or Piken. Sent a PM to the next two people on the list. I really don't want to have to take this thing back across the country.

shrap · « **Reply #172 on:** Fri, 14 June 2013, 01:09:18 »

I've just gotten the Kinesis from Quarzac, and it's been a maddening few hours.

I'm so used to hitting space with my left hand that my words are all running together, since the left hand thumb buttons are backspace and delete. The modifier locations are a mystery and I miss my Windows key.

Occasionally it'll all fall in place and I'll bang out a word or two without having to think about it, but the learning curve is pretty brutal so far.

vvp · « **Reply #173 on:** Fri, 14 June 2013, 03:49:45 »

Quote from: shrap on Fri, 14 June 2013, 01:09:18

I'm so used to hitting space with my left hand that my words are all running together, since the left hand thumb buttons are backspace and delete. The modifier locations are a mystery and I miss my Windows key.

You can use remap to swap Enter with Delete and Space with Backspace. No need to relearn this.
And yes, Kinessis Contoured is lacking keys badly. It would not be such a big deal if it at least one could remap keypad shift to a key other then the pedal. Then one could get proper layer shifting through keys only. As it is now, the keyboard needs a HW mod to be really good.

natas206 · « **Reply #174 on:** Fri, 14 June 2013, 11:20:44 »

There should be a Windows key on this keyboard.

Is it a USB model or an older PS/2 model?

If it's a USB model, to quickly add a Windows key, enter the default layout (Windows mode) by holding down the equals key and tapping the "w" key (=w). The top four thumb keys, from left to right, will be: Ctrl | Alt | Windows | Ctrl.

If it's an old PS/2 model keyboard, there is an embedded Windows key which you can remap to the top layer. Depending on when it was made, the embedded Windows keys are either located in the "PrintScrn" and "Scroll Lock" keys (or for very old PS/2 keyboards they are in the embedded "h" and "n" keys).

You can easily remap these embedded Windows keys to a top layer thumb key by following the below instructions via Kinesis website:

Remapping bottom layer windows key to top layer:

For PS/2 Contoured keyboards, the Windows key (or Command for Mac users) is located in the embedded "PrintScrn" and "Scroll Lock" keys. If you would like to remap the embedded Windows key to the top layer, follow these instructions:

1). Turn Keypad ON.
2). Press and hold the Progrm key and tap F12 (LED's on keyboard will flash rapidly).
3). Press and release the “PrintScrn” key. (LED's will slow down).
4). Press and release the destination key, for example- Right Alt (LED's will speed up).
5). Press and release the “PrintScrn” key (LED's will slow down).
6). Press and release the KEYPAD key.
7). Press and release the SAME destination key, example- Right Alt (LED's will speed up).

. Exit by repeating step 2 (LED's will stop flashing).

Now, in this example, the Right Alt key will function as the Windows/Apple Command key when keypad is ON or OFF.

NOTE: For older PS/2 Contoured keyboards, the Windows key is located in the embedded "h" and "n" keys.

natas206 · « **Reply #175 on:** Fri, 14 June 2013, 11:23:55 »

Nevermind. I see this is a Model 110 keyboard, which is about 20 years old and pre-dates a Windows key!

shrap · « **Reply #176 on:** Fri, 14 June 2013, 11:37:52 »

Well, the problem is that I use both hands for space so switching the keys might not be all that great of a solution. Basically any key other than space is going to be confusing for the thumbs to type at first.

The lack of an inverted T for arrow keys is also quite interesting - it breaks my "right hand on the nav cluster, left hand on the trackball" usage pattern.

It's also weirdly tall - I can't adjust my desk at work so it puts quite a damper on being ergonomic, until I can raise my seat and get a foot stool.

I'm going to put up with the standard layout for at least a week before I start trying to remap my brain again.

I occasionally get flashbacks of using the Typematrix 2030, which has backspace and enter in the center of the keyboard and can be used with both hands. Maybe the problem is that keyboards just need more duplicate keys for the commonly used ones in all kinds of places, instead of pretending there is one good place for each key?

Quote from: vvp on Fri, 14 June 2013, 03:49:45

You can use remap to swap Enter with Delete and Space with Backspace. No need to relearn this.
And yes, Kinessis Contoured is lacking keys badly. It would not be such a big deal if it at least one could remap keypad shift to a key other then the pedal. Then one could get proper layer shifting through keys only. As it is now, the keyboard needs a HW mod to be really good.

shrap · « **Reply #177 on:** Fri, 21 June 2013, 20:51:53 »

I PM'ed slueth, piken, Krunchy, and dewcorps about the keyboard.

The first two didn't respond to Quarzac either so I guess they're not interested anymore.

Can we move those two to the bottom of the list (or remove them completely)?

I'd like to get this board to someone else interested with a minimum of fuss.

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #178 on:** Fri, 21 June 2013, 21:28:06 »

The Kinesis is a very different breed of keyboard. I took to it immediately, but even for me there was still an ever so slight adjustment period. But I also tried a couple layouts (qwerty, Dvorak, Colemak at that same time). IT'S NOT A FLATBOARD AND WILL BE VERY DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER KEYBOARD YOU HAVE EVER USED. lol That's why you want to try it, right?

I had a Datahand, and didn't care for the side-to-side finger movements in the finger pods. Talk about learning curve.

sordna · « **Reply #179 on:** Sat, 22 June 2013, 01:07:15 »

Quote from: shrap on Fri, 21 June 2013, 20:51:53

I PM'ed slueth, piken, Krunchy, and dewcorps about the keyboard.

The first two didn't respond to Quarzac either so I guess they're not interested anymore.

Can we move those two to the bottom of the list (or remove them completely)?

I'd like to get this board to someone else interested with a minimum of fuss.

So will you send it to Krunchy or dewcorps ? Let me know, and also please PM me the tracking number when you ship.

shrap · « **Reply #180 on:** Sat, 22 June 2013, 02:49:08 »

Quote from: sordna on Sat, 22 June 2013, 01:07:15

So will you send it to Krunchy or dewcorps ? Let me know, and also please PM me the tracking number when you ship.

I'm still waiting for either to respond.

Quote from: Input Nirvana on Fri, 21 June 2013, 21:28:06

The Kinesis is a very different breed of keyboard. I took to it immediately, but even for me there was still an ever so slight adjustment period. But I also tried a couple layouts (qwerty, Dvorak, Colemak at that same time). IT'S NOT A FLATBOARD AND WILL BE VERY DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER KEYBOARD YOU HAVE EVER USED. lol That's why you want to try it, right?

I had a Datahand, and didn't care for the side-to-side finger movements in the finger pods. Talk about learning curve.

The issue is that I type very few actual words in my day job. I am much more dependent on where the = key, F3, and ctrl+space is than where actual letters are located.

shrap · « **Reply #181 on:** Wed, 26 June 2013, 20:55:36 »

Shipped to jrockroll.

jrockroll · « **Reply #182 on:** Fri, 28 June 2013, 13:38:39 »

received on 6.28

sordna · « **Reply #183 on:** Thu, 22 August 2013, 10:23:32 »

Ok, who wants to be next ?

parabum · « **Reply #184 on:** Sat, 24 August 2013, 06:57:42 »

Hi Sordna

I will buy a Kinesis (mostly LF red switches) at the year end and I would be interested to try out your model for a while. However, I live in Germany and perhaps it could do a European tour if there is local interest. I am not sure at the moment how it works with international shipping and customs.

I recently joined this site and so my 'reputation' is not yet established. Heck, I started thinking about keyboards only couple of months back when I became fairly comfortable with Emacs (started 6 months ago). By the way, it will be my first mechanical keyboard.

Let me know

kurplop · « **Reply #185 on:** Sat, 24 August 2013, 08:28:12 »

When it's convenient to send it to So. Cal. I'd like to try it out.

sordna · « **Reply #186 on:** Sat, 24 August 2013, 11:36:06 »

Quote from: parabum on Sat, 24 August 2013, 06:57:42

Hi Sordna

I will buy a Kinesis (mostly LF red switches) at the year end and I would be interested to try out your model for a while. However, I live in Germany and perhaps it could do a European tour if there is local interest. I am not sure at the moment how it works with international shipping and customs.

I recently joined this site and so my 'reputation' is not yet established. Heck, I started thinking about keyboards only couple of months back when I became fairly comfortable with Emacs (started 6 months ago). By the way, it will be my first mechanical keyboard.

Let me know

I'd like to keep the keyboard in the US, the hassle of extra cost/customs/etc is not worth it.

Quote from: kurplop on Sat, 24 August 2013, 08:28:12

When it's convenient to send it to So. Cal. I'd like to try it out.

Hi kurplop, please PM jrockroll to arrange it. jrockroll, please PM me the tracking number once you ship it to kurplop.

parabum · « **Reply #187 on:** Sat, 24 August 2013, 13:47:54 »

Quote from: sordna on Sat, 24 August 2013, 11:36:06

Quote from: parabum on Sat, 24 August 2013, 06:57:42
Hi Sordna

I will buy a Kinesis (mostly LF red switches) at the year end and I would be interested to try out your model for a while. However, I live in Germany and perhaps it could do a European tour if there is local interest. I am not sure at the moment how it works with international shipping and customs.

I recently joined this site and so my 'reputation' is not yet established. Heck, I started thinking about keyboards only couple of months back when I became fairly comfortable with Emacs (started 6 months ago). By the way, it will be my first mechanical keyboard.

Let me know

I'd like to keep the keyboard in the US, the hassle of extra cost/customs/etc is not worth it.

OK.

sordna · « **Reply #188 on:** Thu, 05 September 2013, 09:27:54 »

Ok, kurplop received the keyboard yesterday.

jrockroll, please post your impressions!

jrockroll · « **Reply #189 on:** Thu, 05 September 2013, 09:34:55 »

I've never used an ergonomic keyboard before so kinesis was somewhat cool and odd at the same time. For me, it was hard getting adjusted to the layout and I kept trying to adjust my hand position to a non-ergonomic keyboard. HHKB took me 1 day to get adjusted for kinesis took me more than a week. I kept pressing wrong keys getting use to backspace/delete/enter/space was veryyyyy hard. It never got used to my hand but I'm sure with some practice, it'll be a very comfortable keyboard to type with.

athaeryn · « **Reply #190 on:** Fri, 06 September 2013, 12:07:24 »

Is there a waiting list? I'd love to give this thing a try before buying one.

Edit: I see the waiting list.

sordna · « **Reply #191 on:** Fri, 06 September 2013, 13:47:37 »

Quote from: athaeryn on Fri, 06 September 2013, 12:07:24

Is there a waiting list? I'd love to give this thing a try before buying one.

Edit: I see the waiting list.

Welcome to GH ! So... if you plan to buy it, why don't you go ahead with the purchase, it has a money back guarantee! I usually get mine from Fentek, they have a good discount and honor the Kinesis 60 day guarantee, with no restocking fee as well (only cost is the shipping charges).
http://www.fentek-ind.com/kinesis_contoured.htm#KinesisAdvantage

jblack801 · « **Reply #192 on:** Wed, 30 October 2013, 11:55:53 »

How's this coming? kurplop, enjoying it?

sordna · « **Reply #193 on:** Sat, 02 November 2013, 20:30:16 »

Not sure if you guys checked the OP lately, this journey has ended! The keyboard has been sold to kurplop.
Thanks to all that participated, if anyone didn't post their experience with the keyboard yet, please do so.

kurplop · « **Reply #194 on:** Sat, 02 November 2013, 22:16:15 »

I have been curious about Kinesis for some time and am glad I had the opportunity to finally put it to the test. Thanks Sordna for sending it out on tour. He offered me a fair price and I bought it, thereby ending its long journey.

Most of my guesses about it were confirmed. I found the thumb clusters more accessible than the ErgoDox's; largely attributed to the sculpted thumb keys and contoured board. I now understand why most people complain about the sub par top row switches. I didn't spend enough time on it to get use to its peculiarities but I both like and dislike the concave key wells. The curve seems to require less stretching to reach all the keys which I like but the curve also means a different outward radial path for the keystrokes in different columns. Not necessarily bad but I didn't take enough time to get use to it. I'm pretty slow at adapting to change.

The shape is hard to understand by just looking at pictures and until I opened the package I wasn't quite sure what it would look like and how big it would seem relative to a standard keyboard. Now I know.

The keyboard fits the hands like a glove and I can see the benefit of Sordna's palm key mod. If I wasn't happy with my ErgoDox, I would consider the Kinesis and would certainly suggest it as an option to others looking for an ergonomic keyboard.

One final note: By the time I received it, it had several cracks in the body and four or five small chips missing from the edges. Sordna said some were there when he sent it out but it is hard to tell if it suffered additional injury from being shipped around the world for a year and a half. I think it's a testament to the GH community that it actually made it to its final stop!

Thanks again Sordna.

News:

Author Topic: Kinesis Contoured Try & Forward (Read 44564 times)