Who makes a split key keyboard?

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filterxg

Senior member
Nov 2, 2004
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So my 1st gen natural keyboard needs to be replaced for my next computer, and I really love it. But unless there is no other choice I'd rather not buy Microsoft (they already take enough of my money bc of office).

Logitech has one but its not very good, does anybody else make one?
 
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FP

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
4,568
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I have the GoldTouch and really like it. Definitely recommended.
 
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Peter

Elite Member
Oct 15, 1999
9,640
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On the PC-USB SmartBoard as it is being sold currently, "print", "scroll" and "pause" are [Fn]-F10, -F11, -F12 keys, very much like on notebooks where "missing" keys are emulated through combo keypresses with the [Fn] key.

The picture at sforh shows an older revision, where the "print" function is done by sequenced keypress, right-shift and then [/] on the numpad. Pause was right-shift then [-].

I have either version (three pcs of the older version in PS/2 type), and one of the new USB models. The current USB model also has a two-port hub in the back, with a Sleep/Power button right next to them - no more crawling under the table to shut the machine down.
 
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Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
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Glad to hear it's on there, I had just ordered mine when I made that post. I like the idea of USB and power/sleep built-in (a la Mac), but I always have my PCs on my desk anyway. With everything I'm accumulating now though, that may have to change :)
 
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mauiblue

Senior member
Aug 8, 2004
652
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Originally posted by: filterxg
So my 1st gen natural keyboard needs to be replaced for my next computer, and I really love it. But unless there is no other choice I'd rather not buy Microsoft (they already take enough of my money bc of office).

Logitech has one but its not very good, does anybody else make one?
Click to expand...

I've got a MS Natural Keyboard Elite and I am digging it! price was good ($14) and the feel of the keys are great. What the heck they already took your money on software. If it works well and is design well, why not?
 
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Peter

Elite Member
Oct 15, 1999
9,640
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Rubber mat not individual switches, strange cursor keys, 6 on the wrong side, slanted key rows tying knots into the left hand. "Ergonomical" is different.

There are indeed worse keyboards for $14, though ;)
 
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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
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A4Tech has a "sort-of" ergo key layout. Decent feel and not expensive. Unfortunately they don't seem to sell the corded models in the States. I'm getting a head of steam up to try their "Two Hands Working" model (KBS-2550) and I've had on older model A4Tech "ergo"/cordless under the Kensington label for nearly 2 years now (got it for $10.! on a blowout at Staples).

.bh.
 
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Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
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Originally posted by: sm8000
BTW, sforh.com does free shipping.
Click to expand...

Got an email from them today:

Dear [sm8000],
Your order number is ____ and the total of your order is $99.95. This item was not in stock at the time of your purchase. It will ship out as soon as they arrive.
Thank you for your business,
SforH Orders

:( <fingers crossed>
 
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Peter

Elite Member
Oct 15, 1999
9,640
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ergocube have them in stock most definitely. Since the SmartBoards are not being produced very regularly, you better get one from them rather than none at all.
 
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Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
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Well, I called and they said the item's ETA is this coming Tuesday, so if it's not in then I'll cancel the order and try Ergocube; hopefully it'll still be in stock. At least I haven't been charged for this yet.
 
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Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
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The Tuesday in question was the 10th, they charged my card on the 12th for a transaction dated the 10th. Oddly enough I called on the 10th and was told it hadn't arrived and maybe what was meant was that it would be shipped to them on the 10th and arrive later that week. Though when I made that call, it was still morning where they are.

Regardless, it arrived today and I am one happy panda. I'm typing from it right now and it does take some getting used to. I'm also going to take it to work to break it in, though I wouldn't mind if there were some way to lock this thing.

I notice that the keys are sunk particularly deep in the body of this keyboard. Seems like it might be difficult to insert my tiny screwdriver to pry them off if I wanted to switch to Dvorak layout. This being my first split keyboard, I really see how much my left hand gets used.
 
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Peter

Elite Member
Oct 15, 1999
9,640
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You won't be able to dvorakize this board since the keys are of varying width. Learn to type without looking, then suddenly the writing on the keycaps will be of no further significance ;)

Glad you like it ... I'm eager to hear your reaction when you got used to it and then have to go back to a normal keyboard. Don't keep children around when you do that, else they might learn some fun new words.
 
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harrkev

Senior member
May 10, 2004
659
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All sorts of strange keyboard goodness HERE. The prices are a bit high, but they have things that you can't even imagine.
 
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Peter

Elite Member
Oct 15, 1999
9,640
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I know those ... but except for the Kinesis models, they ALL have the silly left-slanted arrangements of keys. The more "ergo" the overall shape goes, the more annoying is this.

http://www.sforh.com/images/keyboards/touchstream-lp-lg.gif

I mean, it is somewhat bleeding obvious that this isn't optimal for the left hand - either you bend your wrist to the left, or you crook your fingers. $369? No thanks.

Although "backspace" on a thumb is neat.
 
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Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
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The more I use my new SmartBoard the more I find it's really meant for somebody who actually knows how to type, something I never learned. Thus my own typing method is my own improvised concoction relying mostly on the thumbs and first two fingers of each hand.

While the SmartBoard's layout is forcing me to use proper typing movements, it's also (as I said earlier) showing how much my left hand gets used, something I need to take the strain off. I think I might try to rearrange this thing into Dvorak layout, and just replace the odd-sized keys with normal sized ones from another keyboard.
 
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Peter

Elite Member
Oct 15, 1999
9,640
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What's wrong with using your left hand? There are efforts to put edit keys (cursor, backspace, delete, scroll) onto the left hand, simply because the right hand often is off the keyboard and on the mouse.

Yes sure, split keyboards are rather unforgiving if you don't use the proper 10-finger typing scheme. Given the right training software, it'll be only a few hours until you've learned that - and you'll never be anywhere near as efficient and ergonomic, whatever the alterations you choose to do to that poor keyboard.
 
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Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
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Just that my left hand (whole arm in fact) is about to undergo therapy, and the extra concentration placed on it with a split keyboard, as opposed to a normal one where I can throw my right around as much as I like, aggravates the pain it's in. I feel if I could balance the load I might take some strain off my left.

As for typing software, the only one I've ever heard of is Mavis Beacon. I'm open to suggestions if you know of any others. And I wouldn't be surprised if none of them offer Dvorak training. Maybe I ought to put the Dvorak idea off until my arm feels better.
 
Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
40,955
10,244
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I was wondering the same thing. I have two MS natural keyboards. I actually like them quite a bit. Since I got a KVM, I only need one, so I have a spare. They each cost me less than $20 at computer shows. The only reason I'd consider another is that they look weird on my desk because everything else is dark in color. I've never seen a black split keyboard. If I could get a black one that's wireless, that might be ideal. Then I could use it on my desk and from a chair when I'm doing the HTPC thing.
 
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