New Keyboard
By banadux
@banadux (630)
United States
October 29, 2008 12:28am CST
I just got a new keyboard and it's supposed to be more ergonomic. I've been using an ergonomic keyboard at work for quite a while now, but it's different from the one I just bought for the house. The space bar on this one seems to stick a bit more than I would like. I'm not sure if that has to do with how I type or not, but the space bar seems to be loud while I type and all the other keys are fairly quiet. It's a Microsoft natural 4000. Does anyone else have a keyboard like this and have problems with the space bar? It seems like if the rest of the keyboard is split to support you having two hands then it's a bit odd that the space bar would be one long piece that makes using it with either thumb a little bit awkward. I actually got on myLot to test out typing with my keyboard for a bit and see how it feels. I know that my typing style could probably use at least some upgrading because my wrist tends to get a little bit sore.
2 responses
@MetricJester (186)
• Canada
29 Oct 08
I had a keyboard very similar to the Natural 4000, but it was 4 keyboards ago. And yes, the big bulky space bar was unusually loud compared to the other keys, and after a few months of wear and tear the space bar wouldn't just stick but would stay down. I also had problems because my typing style is really heavy on the right side shift key, and it wore out about the same time as the space bar. I'm really hard on keyboards, so I don't think this'll happen to you, but the average life of my keyboards is only 1 year. I've been lucky with this Z-Board from Ideazon, it's lasted 4 years already.
On the other hand I think I can solve your wrist problem. The reason your wrists are getting so sore is because you are resting them on your keyboard while you are typing. This is an ergonomic no no, because then you are bending your wrists backwards and pushing down with your fingers. It's counter-productive. Your wrists should be straight, hovering over the keyboard, with your elbows at a 90 degree angle while sitting up straight. You have to keep your wrists elevated while typing, and resting when you're not. This will prevent many wrist related injuries, like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. There should have been a "hand book" with your keyboard that shows you the proper wrist placement. (I like puns)
@banadux (630)
• United States
29 Oct 08
I think the reverse incline on this microsoft keyboard is to help keep your wrists in the proper alignment. It is tilted down away from me as opposed to down towards me and I'm not having to bend my wrists to type. I can't really seem to find the sweet spot on the space bar yet. I tend to use the space bar with my right hand while type I've noticed and it seems to not stick if I press the space bar using my left hand instead. Visually my hands appear to be in about the same place though. I'm hoping I will learn some better positioning from using this keyboard, but it's going to be rough going. I'm considering just taking it back at this point. I get tired of having to back space because my attempt to press the space bar got rejected by the keyboard. I've never taken any formal typing classes so I'm guessing this is the result of being self trained. I also never use the shift on the right side of the keyboard like you mentioned. I am exclusively a left shifter I'm not sure if you should use both in best practices or not.
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
29 Oct 08
Hello banadux, to prevent you from having wrist pain I will suggest that you get to know the home keys. asdf jkl;. Your right thumb can be hover over the space bar while typing and this will enable you to type better. Once your eight fingers is placed on the home keys and your thumbs hover over the space bar there will be no problem.
Try it for a couple of days and tell me what happens. When one knows the Home Key they find that typing is quiet easy and remember good posture is need while typing. Find one that you are comfortable with. I was taught to have my feet flat on the ground with my back as straight but that was uncomfortable for me. I sometimes type with one foot stretch outward and the other curve under the seat. My teacher always have a problem but this didn't stop me from graduating on the top of the class.
Any way all the best.
Kerry
1 person likes this
@banadux (630)
• United States
15 Nov 08
I'm already a touch typist so my hands are in the right place I think it was just a combination of too many hours typing in a day usually 7 or 8 from work or school then another 4 or 5 when I come home and my home keyboard was not ergnomic combined with my chair being too low putting my wrists at an odd angle. It's gotten a lot better now. I can't imagine not being able to touch type anymore. It would take so long to get anything done!
@Quillspirit (46)
• United States
29 Oct 08
I've never been able to use those "split" egonomic keyboards, but I found the Microsoft comfort curve wireless 3000, and been stuck on it since. It's got kind of a gentle wave design to it... so yeah, my props to MS for the design.
