Kinesis KB510USB USB Contoured Ergonomic Keyboards - Manual (Page 21)

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HAPTER
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HREE
: A
DAPTATION
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UIDELINES
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.
Adapting your kinesthetic sense
If you are already a touch typist, adapting to the Kinesis contoured keyboard does not require
re-learning in the traditional sense of the word. You are adapting your kinesthetic sense,
which is much simpler and faster than learning to type. Your are simply adjusting your muscle
memory or intuitive understanding of reach and distance.
Typing with long fingernails
Typists with exceptionally long fingernails will have difficulty with the curved keypads and
should consider trimming their nails. Experience has shown that a 1/4 inch nail length is
usually the maximum length that is feasible.
Typical adaptation period
You will need a little time to adjust to the new shape of the Kinesis keyboard. Laboratory
studies and many years of experience show that most new users of Kinesis contoured
keyboards are productive (approximately 80% of full speed) within the first few hours. Full
speed (or greater) is typically achieved gradually within 3-5 days.
After the first week, many new users reach or exceed their previous speeds and accuracies.
However, extremely fast typists may need more time to adapt than will average typists.
Using training materials
Whether or not you are a touch typist, Kinesis encourages you to use the training materials
included with your Kinesis keyboard. Although this is not a necessary step in adapting to the
Kinesis keyboard, many users — regardless of their typing skills — find the typing exercises
to be extremely helpful.
Don’t overdo it at first
Using typing exercises and other drills is physically taxing. Take frequent rest breaks. Limit
your typing speed for the first few hours as you adapt to the Kinesis keyboard.
Initial awkwardness, fatigue, discomfort
At first, you probably will experience some awkwardness when using the Kinesis contoured
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