Tips on getting used to a Kinesis Advantage?

[cruzin]

I just bought a used Kinesis Advantage to try out an ergo keyboard, and am obviously not adept at using it yet. It's taking me a while to write this. Any tips/tricks on getting used to the layout? Any other tips regarding ergonomic keyboards?

[Findecanor]

It will take time learning to type with all your fingers, but once you have, then you will be able to type better on regular keyboards as well.

[SonOfSonOfSpock]

I like to use 10fastfingers.com for practice, but anything that let's you practice typing is good. I know there are typing games, but I don't know anything about them.

http://www.micwil.com/images/additional_resources/training_materials_for_contoured_keyboards.pdf

That link has typing lessons designed for the Kinesis. It helped me when first learning a columnar layout.

[nomaded]

Since you're learning a new physical layout, I would strongly suggest also learning a new logical layout, such as Dvorak or Colemak.

[Grim Fandango]

I found adapting to these kind of keyboards surprisingly easy. Just keep using it and you will be fine. Though if you were not touch typing to begin with, well that is a different issue entirely.

[hoggy]

Just keep going (as others have already mentioned).  It can take a few weeks for you to learn new muscle memory.  Trust me, it's worth it.  You might as well turn the beeps on as they will help you avoid bottoming out on the switches, which will make it even more comfortable.

[vvp]

If you already touch type then you can just continue touch type on kinesis. Maybe do a few exercises but physical layout differences are not that significant. You will adopt very quickly.
When switching to your new kinesis you can also consider using Remap to swap Esc and CapsLock, LeftShift and Delete, RightShift and Enter.

[Lanx]

kinesis is easy to learn, because the matrix layout practically forces you to learn how to type properly, it's like a constant nun with a ruler.

on that note, put all your daily drivers in a closet and only use the kinesis, don't have a "fallback" keyboard, just force yourself to use the kinesis for a week and you should be good.

[davkol]

Finger motion on a symmetrical layout is very different from motion on an asymmetrical staggered layout. Therefore, I recommend building a new muscle memory instead of adjusting the existing one.

[cruzin]

I appreciate all the tips! I'm definitely getting faster with it. It's also shining a spotlight on some bad typing habits I've had for a while. I've made it my daily driver so hopefully I'll be back up to speed soon.

Remapping keys has been a gigantic help, and I've been using an online typing tutor to get used to it. The big test will be seeing how easily I can use it while coding.

[cruzin]

Something I can't figure out is how to remap shift characters. Things like (, {, [. What I'd ideally like to remap:

page down = (
shift + page down = {
ctrl + page down = [

Is there a trick to doing this?

[hoggy]

I think you have to have a foot pedal to do that, or, you can't do it.  Can't remember which...

[cruzin]

Figured it out! I used macros to make the combinations.

[vatin]

The tip is to use it a lot. Use for your entire working day.
It took me about 2 weeks to get quite proficient and its totally well worth it.
FYI, Kinesis is coming out with the new and improved Advantage next year.

[cruzin]

In a fit of frustration earlier today I tried switching back to my KUL, but quickly realized I really didn't like the layout and I switched back to the Kinesis. Using the Kinesis has sold me on the matrix layout, plus having shift and other keys easily accessible with my thumbs has spoiled me.

[Lanx]

yea like i said, lock your old daily driver away in a closet! you don't want to reverse all that hard work of building kinesis muscle memory.

[hoggy]

Once you've got used to the kinesis, you should be able to swap back to a normal keyboard for a while if you need it.  Might feel funny for a while though...

[cruzin]

Once you've got used to the kinesis, you should be able to swap back to a normal keyboard for a while if you need it.  Might feel funny for a while though...

Definitely feels funny. I really don't like the brown switches on the Kinesis. Sometimes I'll pull my KUL with clears out just to feel the keys, but I don't like the staggered layout. If I could get the Kinesis with clears I'd be a happy camper.

[davkol]

It's quite easy to replace the switches (thumb clusters are PCB-mounted and Kinesis sell a replacement kit for everything, not in clears AFAIK though).

When I switched to mine from an ergodox with clears for a while, it wasn't much of an issue in actuality, because the "clicking" buzzer helped me a lot. It somehow made the switches feel more consistent and masked the scratchiness.

[Karura]

This is a little random, but has anyone tried remapping the spacebar to the left thumb button instead? How does that work out?

I game a lot and if I were to try out a Kinesis (which I think is really cool), I would be disadvantaged without a left space bar for gaming.

[cruzin]

This is a little random, but has anyone tried remapping the spacebar to the left thumb button instead? How does that work out?

I game a lot and if I were to try out a Kinesis (which I think is really cool), I would be disadvantaged without a left space bar for gaming.

Yes, I tried this the first day I had it. I swapped space and backspace. I eventually ended up switching it back because I kept hitting the wrong key too many times. You could map both to space and move your backspace somewhere else though.

[Karura]

Swapping both to space makes sense, but I think we might run out of keys? I'm really interested in one, but they're too expensive to just try out

[cruzin]

Swapping both to space makes sense, but I think we might run out of keys? I'm really interested in one, but they're too expensive to just try out

I rarely use right shift, so that's where I'd move backspace if I had to.

And you could almost for sure turn around and sell it if you ended up not liking it.

[cruzin]

I must enjoy suffering. Just as I was getting used to my Advantage and finally getting back to a steady 50 wpm, I decided to try out Colemak. I also took a look at Workman, but it just didn't feel right.

Here's to another couple weeks of stutter typing!

[hoggy]

Well, there's never really a 'good' time to change, you've just hit one of those not too bad moments. 

[nomaded]

This is a little random, but has anyone tried remapping the spacebar to the left thumb button instead? How does that work out?

I game a lot and if I were to try out a Kinesis (which I think is really cool), I would be disadvantaged without a left space bar for gaming.

I suggest remapping the key in the game instead of in the keyboard. On my ErgoDox layout, the "space" key is backspace for me. So, for the games I play, I just mapped what would normally use the space key to the backspace key. Same physical location for the same action in the game, but different logical key press.