How I would change the Kinesis Advantage keyboard...

[trauring]

I just wrote up a post about how I would change there Kinesis Advantage keyboard, considering it has been a dozen years since it got USB, and more than 20 years since it was created.

http://trauring.org/re-design-kinesis-a ... -keyboard/

Curious what others who use the keyboard (or have used it in the past) think.

Philip

[bjarven]

An update of the Kinesis Advantage would be nice! It's pretty old now as you say. If I were to list the changes I'd like:

* palm keys (i've modified mine to have palm keys, can't live without them now)
* split it up (i also use an ergodox from time to time, it's nice to have it in two halves)
* another column of keys (on both halves, to the left of '5' and right of '6'. also found on the ergodox, nice to

That's about it. It's my daily driver so it's pretty good as it is i think. The shape of the keywells is really good.

[Findecanor]

I disagree about backlit keys. 1. You don't need them - your fingers will find the correct position in the key wells easily enough. 2. You don't want them - the point is to learn to type without having to look at the keys. You don't hunt-and-peck on a Kinesis like you would on a QWERTY keyboard.

If anything is going to be changed in the shape on the underside, I think it should be to make it easier to hold in your lap. Many Kinesis users already do. This would also be the main reason why it should be wireless.

[Daniel]

Are you sure you'd like to have a webserver in your keyboard?

[Findecanor]

I think the networking part of the webserver would be the most difficult part. A webserver itself can be pretty small and basic - it does not require a full Linux installation, Apache, scripting engine, etc. I have seen an implementation in less than 50 lines of source code that controlled a Windows service.
I can see a point of there being a simple portable GUI interface to configuring the keyboard without any special drivers, but there would be too much complexity with connecting it as a network device that it wouldn't be worthwhile. It does not happen automatically, is not portable and may require special user privileges, etc. Maybe if an "Internet of things" standard becomes prevalent enough to be useful, and is not a security nightmare ... It's a bit early for that, but worth checking out.

I think that you could have a configuration interface over serial, (like has been discussed elsewhere on this forum), so that you could configure it through text commands and read the config as ASCII graphics.
You could also put the configuration programs on a USB stick, and if you keep that plugged into the keyboard's USB hub, you would have access to the configuration GUI wherever you would plug the keyboard in.

[davkol]

New revision ought to be released later this year. It's supposed to replace the gummy bears by actual switches.

Cut the cord

True, although I'm more annoyed by the short foot-switch cable. Going for fully detacheable cables would be nice.

Speaking of that, I wouldn't mind USB 3.x, if they keep the USB hub, because it doesn't work even with a thumb drive in my case.

Go wireless

Probably not gonna happen (especially after typematrix abandoned plans for a BT TM2030), and security is an issue anyway.

Backlit keys

Total BS. I wish they rather went back to doubleshots, but that's probably not gonna happen either.

Multi-touch touchpad

Total BS. It would drive the cost higher, trackpads are already a patent minefield (thanks Apple?), it'd be hardly ergonomic and who knows how many people would actually use it, considering popularity of trackballs, trackpoints, vertical mice and stuff like rollermouse in this market.

If they only made the middle part flat...

Space below the keyboard

How would you connect stuff to laptop's ports then?

The real issue is that it's difficult to raise the front to get negative tilt, while maintaining stability. I don't dare to propose separate halves tentable like the new Matias Ergo Pro, because again, it won't happen any time soon if ever.

Built-in Web Server

Security? Price?

If only they made it possible to use a custom free firmware like TMK; layers and dual-role modifiers would fix the lack of modifiers, not to mention weird bugs with remapping.

[trauring]

Of all the things I listed, the backlit keys is the least important to me, although I do think they are useful in some cases. Anyone who says it's never necessary should probably think the keyboard should have blank keys. If there's ever a reason to have key labels, then there's also a reason to have backlit keys, at least in my opinion.

Concerning reaching ports on a notebook, I can't speak to all computers, but the MacBook Pro for example only has ports on the side near the screen now. They reach down about 2-3 inches on each side from the screen. The rest of the space has no ports. You could thus cover 3/4 of the computer without blocking anything. I do agree it would be nice to be able to hold it comfortably in one's lap, and I don't think these two goals are incompatible.

I don't really see security as a major issue with wireless. Bluetooth can use encryption.

As for a web server, there are plenty of micro controllers that one can run a web server off of without adding any real cost. It all depends what Kinesis is using to control the keyboard. Security is not really a problem here either as one could password protect the server.

I'm not locked to the touchpad idea, but no other pointer device built it is significantly more ergonomic. This is a convenience feature, not an ergonomic one. I did say I think it should be an option. Kinesis sells Cirque touch pads, so I don't think the patent issue is significant here. They could just have a mount for a cirque touchpad in the middle of the keyboard. They could off ways to mount other pointing devices as well, trackballs, whatever.

Obviously they can choose to do whatever they want, but I think some of these features should make it into their next version if they want to stay competitive. As an aside, the King's Assembly unit being sold for $200 in the kickstarter going on now has all of the above features, and is planning to have Kinesis/Maltron-style key wells as well. The final product will probably be closer to $300, but that still cheaper than the Advantage Pro. The moving keyboard style of the KA isn't for everyone, but if they decide to come out with a keyboard without the mouse feature, in a more stable single unit, it could certainly compete head on with the Advantage.

[Muirium]

Backlighting in general means seriously compromised caps. Most of us here prefer a thick, great feeling high quality cap, which is synonymous with opaque. I type happily with blanks, myself, so legends are technically superfluous, but I am deep down the rabbit hole on doubleshot and dye sublimated caps nonetheless. Aesthetics matter to most of us as much as objective function.

I quite agree with you about Bluetooth, though. I've no idea what puts people off it. Has someone demonstrated breaking its security in the field? Other wireless implementations requiring dongles are just as awkward as using a USB cable, without the guarantee of perfect security and the freedom from batteries.

[gorkypl]

In fact a new version of Advantage is in the final stage of factory tests, but they do not give any details yet.
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36195.0

[trauring]

All I saw was a post saying they were planning on releasing it 'this year' in January 2013. I'll be happy for them to come out with a new version, and hopefully some of the features I outlined will be there. I do think they're going to have more competition in the future. It's cheaper to get new keyboard designs out these days, and crowd-funding allows companies to get the money in hand before creating molds, etc. so its much less risky.