Kinesis® Advantage MPC™ USB Contoured™ Ergonomic Keyboards (Mac/PC switchable) USER’S MANUAL
USER’S MANUAL Kinesis® Advantage™ MPC USB Contoured™ Ergonomic Keyboards Mac/PC Switchable Models KEYBOARD MODELS COVERED: KB500USB, Advantage MPC USB keyboard (black) KB500USB/QD, Advantage MPC/QD USB keyboard (black) KB510USB, Advantage Pro MPC USB keyboard (black, metallic finish on top) February 2011 Edition © 2002-2011 Kinesis Corporation, Bothell, Washington USA. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. on recycled paper.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT Note This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a residential installation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Health and Safety Warning ......................................................... 6 Read-me-first ............................................................................... 7 Chapter One: Quick Tour ............................................................ 9 Chapter Two: Installation ...........................................................17 Chapter Three: Adaptation Guidelines ...................................... 21 Chapter Four: If You Are Injured .........................
HEALTH AND SAFETY WARNING Continuous use of any keyboard may cause aches and pains or more serious cumulative trauma disorders such as tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. # Observe sensible guidelines when using any keyboard to help minimize the possibility of injury. # Follow established guidelines for computer and workstation setup. See Appendix, “Ergonomic Guidelines for Computer Workstations.” # Maintain a relaxed keying posture and use a light touch to press the keys.
READ ME FIRST Important information for those who don’t normally read manuals — and for those who do! Preserving your warranty right. You don't need to register your Kinesis product, but please keep your purchase receipt to be sure you don't lose your warranty rights as an original owner. We record the serial numbers of all keyboards shipped so if you are the purchaser of record, you may need no documentation. However, to be safe you should also keep your receipt or a scan of it.
Adaptation schedule. Many new users of Kinesis contoured keyboards believe it will be difficult to adapt. However, years of experience has shown us that most users find it easy and rapid – just try to schedule your first experience with the Kinesis keyboard during a period when you are not operating under a tight production deadline. See CHAPTER THREE: ADAPTION GUIDELINES. Injured typists.
CHAPTER ONE: QUICK TOUR OF THE KINESIS ADVANTAGE MPC USB CONTOURED KEYBOARD Welcome to the HumanKind™ environment of the Kinesis® Contoured™ ergonomic keyboard. In a liberating departure from the constraints of a traditional, flat keyboard, the sculpted lines of the Kinesis Contoured keyboard fit the shape and movements of your body — reducing the physical demands of keyboarding.
Familiar key layout (QWERTY standard, Dvorak dual-legended available) Kinesis Contoured keyboards retain the familiar QWERTY key layout (below). Several changes in the location of non-letter keys reduce the work required of your overworked little fingers and increase the workload for your stronger thumbs. Optional foot switches can further reduce the work demanded of your hands and fingers.
Alphanumeric Keypads of the Advantage Contoured keyboard The alphanumeric key layout is split into two separate keypads. However, the finger you use to press each alphanumeric key is the same one that you would use on a traditional keyboard. The middle row of keys is the home row. To help you to locate the home row, these keys are a different color than the other keys. Because it is important to be able to find the home row by touch from anywhere on the keyboard, the tops of the home row keys (i.e.
Keys which differ for PC and Macintosh There are several keys with different legends or different actions when comparing a PC/Windows keyboard with a Macintosh keyboard: PC Backspace is Mac “Forward Del,” PC Enter is Mac Return PC Ctrl is Mac Control PC Alt is Mac Alt/Option PC Windows key, is Mac Command key, Mac-specific actions Scroll Lock In Macintosh Instant Configuration mode, the little-used Scroll Lock key becomes the Macintosh power key which will initiate the shut down sequence.
hand motions. The Kinesis Contoured™ keyboard relocates these keys to two arrays of thumboperated keys. Important note: Move your hands and forearms, if necessary, to reach keys on the thumb keypads without stretching your thumbs or bending your wrists. If you prefer, you can activate thumb keys with your index fingers.
Function Keys The function keys comprise two elevated, tilted rows of soft, tactile keys which can be activated with minimal hand and arm movement: Esc and F1 through F8 (on left) and F9 through Progrm (on right). Most of these keys perform their traditional actions unless combined with the Progrm key. Right-side function keys Special actions for functions keys Some right-side function keys perform special actions.
Accessing the embedded function key level Embedded key actions are accessible either by tapping the Keypad key or by holding down the appropriate pedal of an optional foot switch. The special programming actions (Disable Macro, Macro, and Remap) will still operate in the embedded layer if the Progrm is held first. To use a Windows key action, you must first press the Keypad function key (far right) to activate the embedded layer.
Using “Num Lock” and other special embedded actions The Num Lock function can be confusing because on a desktop PC embedded keypad actions with Num Lock off PC it totally changes the actions performed by most keys in the numeric keypad. With Num Lock off, the number actions change to directional actions (see adjacent). More confusion is caused by laptop PCs, which may use Num or Numlock to activate their embedded keypads, rather than as the traditional Numlock action.
CHAPTER TWO: INSTALLATION Attach the Kinesis keyboard to a compatible computer in the same way you would attach a traditional USB keyboard. No special equipment or software drivers are required other than what is provided by your operating system. If you are connecting to a Windows PC, the keyboard is factory-configured and ready to use. You do not need to turn off your computer before connecting your Advantage MPC USB keyboard.
If you experience any problems in attaching a mouse or other low-power USB device to the back of the keyboard, try re-plugging the keyboard into the computer or restart the computer. Waking from “sleep mode” Normally you can awaken your PC from “sleep” mode either by hitting a keyboard key or clicking a mouse button. However, sometimes the operating system defaults to new devices being unable to awake the system from sleep mode.
(www.kinesis.com) for more information (see CHAPTER SIX: TROUBLE SHOOTING, TECHNICAL SUPPORT, REPAIRS...). Warning: Do not plug a telephone into any foot switch connector. Also, do not plug any Kinesis keyboard connector into a modem or a telephone outlet. Doing so could damage your keyboard and the modem or phone. Connecting your foot switch Kinesis foot switches connect with a telephone-style (RJ11) connector to the short cable “pigtail” extending from the back of the keyboard.
Positioning When you use your keyboard, your wrists should be at approximately the same height as your elbows, with your forearms parallel to the floor. Adjust the height of your chair up or down to allow your feet to rest flat on the floor, with your knees bent approximately 90° and your thighs parallel to the floor. If the height of your work surface is not adjustable, you may need to adjust your chair to accommodate the work surface instead. You can add a foot rest, if necessary.
CHAPTER THREE: ADAPTATION GUIDELINES Many experienced computer users, when presented with a Kinesis contoured keyboard for the first time, overestimate the time it will take for them to adapt. Experience shows that those same users, when asked about adaptation after a week of use, reply that learning the new keyboard was much easier than they had anticipated and was well worth the effort.
keyboard. You also may experience muscle fatigue and/or mild discomfort for a few days until your body has adjusted to the required positions and motions. Note: If new symptoms persist for more than a few days, stop using the Kinesis keyboard and see CHAPTER FOUR: IF YOU ARE INJURED. Reduce workload during adaptation You can avoid unnecessary frustration, perhaps even physical tension and discomfort, if you try to reduce your normal workload during the first few days of use.
CHAPTER FOUR: IF YOU ARE INJURED The Kinesis keyboard is designed to reduce the physical stresses that all keyboard users experience — whether or not they are injured. Of course, ergonomic keyboards are not medical treatments, and no keyboard can guarantee to cure injuries or prevent injuries in the future. Always consult your health care professional if you notice discomfort or other physical problems when you use your computer.
Remember, even if you are symptom free after using the Kinesis keyboard for a period of time, you are still susceptible to injury. Do not dramatically increase your keyboarding time or stop treatments without consulting your health care professional. If your thumbs are sensitive The Kinesis contoured keyboard is designed for increased thumb usage compared to the traditional keyboard. Some new Kinesis users initially experience fatigue or discomfort as their thumbs adapt to the increased workload.
CHAPTER FIVE: CUSTOMIZING YOUR KEYBOARD You can personalize the settings that control the electronic key click and toggle-key tones. Two non-volatile memory chips in the keyboard retain your settings even when the power is turned off. You can fully customize the layout for keys and foot switches, and store words, sentences, or key combinations in the keyboard’s memory as macros. There are two different ways to customize your keyboard: 1. Instant configuration settings, and 2. On-board programmability.
(e.g. key click, memory reset, macro memory configuration). Turning on and off audible tones (Progrm + hyphen) The keyboard includes change-of-state tones for Caps Lock (A), Num Lock (1), Keypad, Scroll Lock (9) and Insert. When the keyboard is used with a PC, tones sound twice when a tonelinked action (e.g. Caps Lock) is turned on, and once when it is turned off. To disable these tones, hold down Progrm and press the hyphen (-) key. If you wish to turn on the tones again, simply repeat the process.
Macro size (approximate number of characters per macro) Keyboard model 24 macro mode 36 macro mode 48 macro mode Advantage 56 38 28 Advantage Pro 142 94 70 Performing the memory mode change (Progrm + Shift + Fxx) Before performing this configuration change, review “Performance limitations at higher macro settings,” below. If you decide to proceed, press and hold the “Progrm” key, then add one of the Shift keys, and finally add either F2, F3, or F4 so that three keys are depressed at once.
Sticky keys feature for Ctrl, Alt, and Shift (Progrm + modifier + F6) A “sticky” modifier key may be useful because it doesn’t need to be held down when performing an awkward combination of keys. Once tapped, a sticky key is active until a nonmodifier key is pressed and released. In fact two sticky modifiers keys can be tapped in sequence before pressing the key to be modified. In general, Kinesis recommends this feature be set in your operating system.
Remapping from embedded level to top level You can copy an “embedded” key action (such as a “Windows” key) to the top level to make it more convenient. Simply turn on the keypad layer before activating remapping mode. Tap the Keypad key after tapping the source key and before tapping the destination key. Inactivating a key action by remapping The embedded Caps Lock key is a “null” key (it has no action). You may remap this “null” action to a key that you want to inactivate.
Output delays, data entry during macro playback (Progrm+F8, Progrm+F7) Two special features are useful for advanced macro programming. Macros can be programmed to pause briefly during playback, in half second intervals. While programming the macro, enter Progrm + F8 for each half second delay that you want to insert. To program a macro which pauses during playback to allow you to enter variable data, insert Progrm + F7 while programming the macro.
CHAPTER SIX: TROUBLE SHOOTING, TECHNICAL SUPPORT, REPAIRS, ACCESSORIES, AND UPGRADES Trouble shooting If you have questions about installing or operating your Kinesis keyboard, first review the relevant sections of this User’s Manual. If you are unable to solve the problem, visit the Kinesis web site (www.kinesis.com). If you are still unable to solve the problem, contact Kinesis technical support as described below.
A single key doesn't operate A single dead key is usually the result of a spill or other dirt penetrating the keyboard, or a bad solder joint connecting the switch to its circuit board. Contact Technical Support with your serial number to determine whether a replacement part is available. See the next chapter for help. Stuck modifier All PC computers use two different (left and right) modifier keys for every type of modifier (Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Windows).
replacement parts or will arrange with you for the repair of the product. When you contact Kinesis, please provide your name, address, and the serial number of your keyboard. If you are shipping the keyboard to Kinesis, you will be provided with a Returned Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number and shipping instructions. See “Warranty” for details of Kinesis’ warranty terms and conditions. The warranty does not provide for a loaner keyboard.
CHAPTER SEVEN: CARING FOR YOUR KEYBOARD A few simple precautions can help to ensure the trouble-free operation of your Kinesis keyboard. Avoid eating or drinking over your keyboard. Cleaning Clean your keyboard’s exterior surfaces on a regular basis. First, always unplug your Kinesis keyboard before cleaning it. To remove dirt marks and residue that accumulate during normal use, wipe the keyboard with a soft cloth that has been dampened with water or rubbing alcohol (70% isopropanol).
KINESIS KEYBOARD LIMITED WARRANTY Kinesis Corporation (“Kinesis”) warrants to the original retail purchaser that this Kinesis keyboard (“Product”) is free from defects in materials and workmanship and will perform substantially in accordance with the Product documentation for two years from the date of purchase. This Warranty does not apply to any software or diskettes which might have been enclosed with the product, which are covered by a Kinesis License Agreement.
APPENDIX A: ERGONOMIC GUIDELINES Adapting tools and environments to reflect human capabilities — the science of ergonomics — is crucial to enhancing comfort and reducing injury. Ergonomics also makes an important contribution by educating people in the safe, healthy use of technology products. As a result, ergonomic issues involve many aspects of the work environment. No single product can be expected to provide a solution for all of the varied ergonomic concerns in the workplace.
Adjusting your work surface The proper height of the work surface is related to the clearance you have beneath it to accommodate your legs while in a seated position. 1. Pull up to the work surface while seated. With your feet flat on the floor, adjust the height of your work surface so that your knees do not bump the edge of the work surface, pencil drawer, or keyboard support tray (when the tray is in its working position). The tops of your thighs should not touch the underside of the work surface. 2.
APPENDIX B: DVORAK LAYOUTS (KINESIS ON-BOARD DVORAK) Hold down Progrm + Shift and tap F5 to toggle between QWERTY (upper left legends) and Dvorak (lower right legends). All Advantage MPC keyboards support this feature but only Advantage MPC/QD keyboards are shipped with dual legends. If you wish to purchase a dual legend upgrade kit, contact Kinesis Sales (see CHAPTER SIX: TROUBLE SHOOTING, TECHNICAL SUPPORT, REPAIRS, ACCESSORIES, AND UPGRADES).
Appendix D: Mac INTERNATIONAL KEY ACTIONS The key to the left of Left arrow (²) is the "International key" which changes with the keyboard country established in your control panel.
To change a setting, pressing and hold the “=” key in the number row (above the Tab key) on your Advantage keyboard, then tap the appropriate second key. To turn off all settings in a group, activate one of the master settings (=m, =p, or =w). Using Group Feature settings (select Master Setting first) Always select a “Master setting” first before selecting a group feature setting, since master settings inactivate the group features.
Individual Feature Settings These key combinations can be performed to change the status of an individual feature. To change a setting, pressing and hold the “=” key in the number row (above the Tab key) on your Advantage keyboard, then tap the appropriate second key. =e When active (either PC mode), feature e makes the keypad = (equals) key performs the number row = action. When feature e is inactive (default mode), the keypad = performs the Macintosh keypad = action.
Dvorak layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,39 Instant configuration settings, details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,12,13,25 International key, actions for different country settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,39,40 Breaks, rest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
