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Summary of Contents for Kinesis KB600
- Page 1 Contoured Keyboard Family USER’S MANUAL KB605 KB600 Proudly designed and hand-assembled in the USA Cherry Low-Force SmartSet™ Mac/Windows/PC Contoured Mechanical Keyswitches Programming Engine Switchable Keyboard™...
- Page 2 Advantage2 Resources Page: www.kinesis.com/advantage2-resources/. © 2016 – 2018 by Kinesis Corporation, all rights reserved. KINESIS is a registered trademark of Kinesis Corporation. ADVANTAGE2, CONTOURED KEYBOARD, SMARTSET, and V-DRIVE are trademarks of Kinesis Corporation. WINDOWS, MAC, CHERRY, and ANDROID are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation, Apple, Inc., Cherry Americas LLC, and Google, Inc.,...
- Page 3 FCC 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.
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Page 4: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Read Me First Health and Safety Warning………………………………………………………………….. 6 Preserving your warranty rights…………………………………………………………... 6 Quick Start Guide………………………………………………………………………………... 6 Read this User's Manual………………………………………………………………………. 6 Advanced Users: Read this before copying or sharing layout files……….. 6 Introduc on to the Advantage2 keyboard Geometry and Key Groupings………………………………………………………………. - Page 5 10.0 Technical Support, Repairs, & Returns 11.0 Accessories & Upgrades 12.0 Warranty 13.0 Appendix 13.1 Map of Key Loca on Tokens and Dic onary of Key Ac on Tokens……….. 37 13.2 History of Kinesis Contoured Keyboards………………………………………………. 38 13.3 Ergonomic Guidelines………………………………………………………………………….. 38...
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Page 6: Read Me First
Advantage2 Resources Page. Consult this full manual for advanced features. 1.4 Read This User’s Manual Even if you don’t normally read manuals or you are a long-time user of Kinesis Contoured keyboards, Kinesis strongly encourages you to review this entire manual. The Advantage2 is a fully-programmable keyboard with powerful tools and features, many of which are brand new. -
Page 7: Introduc On To The Advantage2 Keyboard
2.1 Geometry and Key Groupings If you are new to a Kinesis Contoured keyboard, the first thing you will notice about the Advantage2™ keyboard is its sculpted shape, designed to conform to the natural postures and shapes of your hands—... -
Page 8: Ergonomic Design And Features
A “bootloader” functionality in built in to SmartSet, allowing you to update the firmware on your Advantage2 in seconds. So you’re always up to date with the latest releases from Kinesis and can ensure compatibility with the newest operating system versions. - Page 9 Cherry first built the Brown-stem switch according to specifications supplied by Kinesis in the early 1990s and it has since been adopted as one of the switches of choice for all of the major mechanical keyboard manufacturers, ergonomic or otherwise.
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Page 10: Installa On And Setup
Optional foot pedals Kinesis Contoured keyboards were designed to be paired with either an optional Advantage Single Pedal (FS007RJ11) or Triple Foot Pedal (FS007TAF) to further reduce the strain put on overworked hands and fingers (see section 3.4). A pedal can be used to perform an individual keystroke or a complex macro, redistributing a portion of the workload away from your hands. -
Page 11: Posi Oning And Work Area Setup
Adapting your “kinesthetic sense” If you are already a touch typist, adapting to the Kinesis Contoured keyboard does not require “re-learning” to type in the traditional sense. Learning the Advantage2 layout is just about adapting your existing muscle memory or kinesthetic sense. -
Page 12: If You Are Injured
This gives your body a chance to rest and make a fresh start. If possible, Kinesis recommends starting with the Advantage2 during a period when you are not under a lot of work related stress or pressure. - Page 13 If your thumbs are especially sensitive, your keyboard can be configured for minimal thumb use or even thumb-free typing if necessary. This approach is most effective when using a Kinesis foot pedal in conjunction with the Advantage2. Generally speaking, thumb-free typing is accomplished by remapping thumb key actions to the embedded layer, preferably accessed through an optional Kinesis foot pedal, where they can be typed with by your fingers.
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Page 14: Ini Ally Configuring Your Keyboard 13 5.1 Default Qwerty Layout
Although it is possible to remove the alphanumeric keycaps and rearrange them into the Dvorak layout, Kinesis does not recommend doing this due to the different keycap row styles used. Changing the positions of the keycaps will make it difficult for your fingers to move across the keys as the size and shape of each keycap was designed to fit a specific location in the keywell. -
Page 15: Thumb Key Mode Selec On: Windows, Mac & Pc
(Mac Note: two other keys change in Mac Mode). The three Thumb Key Modes are 1) Windows, 2) Mac, and 3) PC, which omits the Windows key from the thumb key group. For non-US language models, see https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/support/technical-support/manuals-drivers/. Thumb key Modes are set independently for each layout and are no longer “global” as in earlier firmware versions. -
Page 16: Func On Keys
Function Key row. Because of the concave nature of the alphanumeric keywells, the function keys are closer to the home row than on a conventional keyboard. Even so, Kinesis recommends accessing these keys by moving your hands and arms slightly, rather than trying to stretch your fingers. -
Page 17: Mul Media Keys
To access a tool labeled in lower case (e.g., status), just press and hold the Program Key and then tap the appropriate function key. To access a tool labeled in CAPITAL LETTERS (e.g., TONE), press and hold both the Program key and either Shift key, and then tap the appropriate function key. The Program key is also used to access the Power User Tools which are associated with certain keys that are not legended, so use the Program Key cautiously (see Section 7) . -
Page 18: Basic Onboard Programming Tools
6.0 Basic Onboard Programming Tools The SmartSet Programming Engine provides a number of easy-to-use productivity tools. Even those who have never used a programmable keyboard can easily learn and benefit from these. Basic Onboard Programming Tools are accessed using simple onboard shortcuts consisting of the special Program Key (labeled “progm”) and one or more keys in the new mechanical Function Row. -
Page 19: Ac Vate Dvorak Layout
any custom remaps and/or macros that you have previously saved to this layout. Note: This action does not change the Thumb Key Mode or other configuration settings. 6.3 Activate Dvorak Layout (progm + F4) Loads the “dvorak.txt” configuration file which corresponds to the default Dvorak layout (see Fig 11) plus any key remaps and/or macros that you have previously saved to this layout. - Page 20 with common keyboarding tasks. The Advantage2 can be programmed to playback macros by tapping either a single trigger key (a non-modifier), or by a combination of one or more modifier keys plus a trigger key. Modifier keys consist of Shift, Ctrl, Alt (“Option” on a Mac), and Windows (“Command” on a Mac). Note: Left and right modifier keys are treated separately in triggering macros, so “lshift + a”...
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Page 21: Remap A Key
Macros triggered by modifier key locations Except with certain older firmware versions, it is not possible to have a modifier by itself trigger a macro, even if you have remapped the modifier key to perform a non-modifier action. If you attempt to program this, it will work temporarily but when the keyboard is replugged, the macro will disappear. -
Page 22: Keypad Layer (Aka The "Embedded Layer")
For power users who would like to create custom thumb key actions and plan to switch between different operating systems, we suggest creating operating-system-specific hotkey layouts, which will allow you to custom program the thumb keys and not lose your settings when you move between layouts. Note: As with all remappings, the “source”... -
Page 23: Power User Tools
Even those users familiar with programmable keyboards in general, or even with a previous Kinesis Contoured keyboard, should read this manual in full before attempting to access any of the Power User Tools. -
Page 24: Power User Mode
Note for earlier firmware versions: A hard reset with earlier firmware required rctrl+F9 for this. Sometimes the Ctrl key became electronically “stuck” during reset and would cause strange keyboard behavior. To remedy that issue, tap the rctrl key and then update your firmware to the latest version (see Section 8). 7.3 Power User Mode, “PUM”... -
Page 25: V-Drive Contents
Manually opening v-drive on plug-in An alternate method for opening the v-drive is to hold progm + F8 briefly while plugging in the keyboard or booting up your computer. All four LEDS will flash four times. Always open the v-drive on boot Power users may set the v-drive to open every time the computer is powered on. -
Page 26: Crea Ng Hotkey Layouts
“hotkey”) that you define. Hotkey layouts are useful for specific applications with unique workflows or if your Advantage2 is being shared with other users. Hotkey layouts are assigned to either the QWERTY or Dvorak family, and each hotkey layout has both a top layer and a keypad layer. When you create a hotkey layout using the onboard shortcut, the keyboard automatically creates a new .txt file (see naming conventions below) on the v-drive where your custom remaps and macros are stored. -
Page 27: Direct Edi Ng" Of Layout Files
Token is simply the basic, unshifted action for that key. However, certain key locations must be defined by Kinesis using a multi-character token. Note: The prefix “kp-” is added to the token for duplicate keypad layer locations. Location tokens are static and don’t change based on custom key remaps. See Appendix 13.1 for a map of the Location Tokens for QWERTY and Dvorak. - Page 28 In many cases the appropriate USB HID decimal code (but not USB hex code) can be substituted in place of the Kinesis-defined Action Token. The USB HID code can be found in a document like the Universal Serial Bus (USB) HID Usage Tables.
- Page 29 Accessing the layout files As described in Section 7.3, to access any of the layout files first enter Power User Mode (progm + shift + esc), and then “mount” the v-drive to your computer (progm + F1). Then open the active folder on the v-drive to view the .txt layout configuration files.
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Page 30: Basic Syntax Examples
Syntax Example 3: When the keypad layer is active, the A key location will perform the “Volume Down” action. [kp-a]>[vol-] Macros Longer macros can be tedious to write from scratch so onboard programming is recommended, at least as an initial step. Direct Editing can be a useful tool for creating shorter macros or fine-tuning longer macros. Take advantage of existing macros and examples where possible. - Page 31 Storing notes in a layout configuration file While it is possible to store notes and other “non-programming” text/language within a layout file, Kinesis does not recommend doing this as it may have unintended consequences. Proceed at your own risk.
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Page 32: Status Report Custom Playback
Kinesis. Your Advantage2 keyboard comes from the factory with the most up to date version of the firmware as of its build date but Kinesis may at times release new versions of firmware to improve performance and/or compatibility. To enquire about newer versions of Advantage2 firmware please contact tech@kinesis.com or check for available updates at www.kinesis.com/advantage2-resources/. -
Page 33: Keyboard Care And Maintenance
9.0 Keyboard Care & Maintenance The Advantage2 is hand-assembled in the USA by trained technicians using premium components. It is designed to last for many years with proper care and maintenance. 9.1 Keyboard stops working suddenly If a layout or settings file has unreadable information or becomes corrupt, the keyboard may become unresponsive. - Page 34 ‘Advantage2’ for format To reformat the v-drive on a PC, enable Power User Mode and mount the v-drive. Locate the “Kinesis KB” removable drive and right click on it, then select the “Format” option from the dropdown menu (see Fig 26 for example). Click “Start”...
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Page 35: Cleaning Precau Ons
Packaging and Shipping In you need to ship a product back to Kinesis, use its original packaging or other suitable packaging that protects the device against impact and shock. You should insure the package with your carrier as Kinesis is not responsible for items until they are received at the Kinesis repair center. -
Page 36: Accessories & Upgrades
This Warranty is not transferrable and does not apply to any software which might have been enclosed with the product, which are covered by a Kinesis License Agreement. If Product fails due to accident, abuse, inappropriate use, or normal wear, Kinesis shall have no responsibility under this Limited Warranty. -
Page 37: Appendix
13.1 Appendix- Map of Location Tokens & Key Ac on Token Key Ac on Token Dictionary of Action Tokens F1—F24 F1—F24 Fig 30. Loca on Tokens: QWERTY, top layer `~ (Tilde key) -_ (Hyphen key) hyphen 7& Fig 31. Loca on Tokens: QWERTY, keypad layer .>... -
Page 38: History Of Kinesis Contoured Keyboards
To enhance the comfort of your work environment, Kinesis has joined with Herman Miller, Inc. to provide guidance for creating an ergonomically appropriate workspace. The following ergonomic guidelines are reprinted with the permission of Herman Miller, Inc.. - Page 39 And if you are experiencing persistent discomfort or unusual sensations, see a health care professional for advice. Reprinted in part with the permission of Herman Miller, Inc., Zeeland, MI USA. Herman Miller, Inc. does not necessarily recommend the use of the Kinesis keyboard. © 1992 HERMAN MILLER, INC., Zeeland, MI USA.
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