7 years later, do these work for programmers who use lots of IDE/microsoft shortcuts using ctrl + alt + other keys?
1275646
Yes. Been using it since 2005 and it's much less strain on my hands than combos on a standard keyboard. I use vim, but I'm a combo fanatic in every other application, and use them very frequently.
1275647
I've ended up mapping the control key on my keyboard to the Delete key. That puts the Alt, Option, and Control keys all under my left thumb. I've never learned to use the Alt key that is located under the right thumb, but it is there. My right thumb seems to only be good for the Space key and Enter. I've been productive with the Control->Delete key mapping for quite a while now.
1275648
Hello, I am a programmer and work in IDEs for both Mac and PC.I find that some shortcut commands are hard to maneuver with the layout because it is so different. Example being CTRL/Apple key and shift. Normally they are right next to each other and easy to press in unison, but the keys are are under thumb and pinkie respectively on this keyboard. I found that I was able to adjust to most of the shortcuts I frequently use. Some are still a hassle, but the ergonomic benefit has outweighed the cons for me.How much you value your wrist and hand ergonomics will determine if this is the right keyboard for you. Hello, I am a programmer and work in IDEs for both Mac and PC.I find that some shortcut commands are hard to maneuver with the layout because it is so different. Example being CTRL/Apple key and shift. Normally they are right next to each other and easy to press in unison, but the keys are are under thumb and pinkie respectively on this keyboard. I found that I was able to adjust to most of the shortcuts I frequently use. Some are still a hassle, but the ergonomic benefit has outweighed the cons for me.How much you value your wrist and hand ergonomics will determine... » Read More Hello, I am a programmer and work in IDEs for both Mac and PC.I find that some shortcut commands are hard to maneuver with the layout because it is so different. Example being CTRL/Apple key and shift. Normally they are right next to each other and easy to press in unison, but the keys are are under thumb and pinkie respectively on this keyboard. I found that I was able to adjust to most of the shortcuts I frequently use. Some are still a hassle, but the ergonomic benefit has outweighed the cons for me.How much you value your wrist and hand ergonomics will determine if this is the right keyboard for you. « Show Less
1275649
As a medical transcriptionist, I use the Kinesis keyboard too. Love the fact that each key is reprogrammable. The ergonomic design also saved me from seeking another profession! As a transcriptionist, I also use a shorthand/expander program which allows me to create thousands of shortcuts (no need to reprogram keyboard keys). For example, with that program, I can type "tp" and "the patient" is typed on the screen. Another shortcut device I use is the programmable X-Keys keypad from PI Engineering. I believe X-Keys keypads are also used by a lot of programmers and gamers. I could not live/transcribe without all the convenient shortcuts these devices and programs provide. As a medical transcriptionist, I use the Kinesis keyboard too. Love the fact that each key is reprogrammable. The ergonomic design also saved me from seeking another profession! As a transcriptionist, I also use a shorthand/expander program which allows me to create thousands of shortcuts (no need to reprogram keyboard keys). For example, with that program, I can type "tp" and "the patient" is typed on the screen. Another shortcut device I use is the programmable X-Keys keypad from PI Engineering. I believe X-Keys keypads are also used by a lot of... » Read More As a medical transcriptionist, I use the Kinesis keyboard too. Love the fact that each key is reprogrammable. The ergonomic design also saved me from seeking another profession! As a transcriptionist, I also use a shorthand/expander program which allows me to create thousands of shortcuts (no need to reprogram keyboard keys). For example, with that program, I can type "tp" and "the patient" is typed on the screen. Another shortcut device I use is the programmable X-Keys keypad from PI Engineering. I believe X-Keys keypads are also used by a lot of programmers and gamers. I could not live/transcribe without all the convenient shortcuts these devices and programs provide. « Show Less
1275650
Yes, actually the layout of control and shift are very good, on the center pads. The two complaints about key layout are the ~ location is very counter intuitive for me. (it where left control would normally be). The Insert key is acccessed by the keypad toggle, which is annoying for ctrl-alt-ins, for vmware virtual machines. With that said they kes are trivially remappable. The keyboard height is taller than a standard keyboard, and won't push under my desk on the keyboard tray. I own two of these now.
2207556
I agree. I am positive there are programs which will let you customize hot keys. :)
1984565
I have been using this keyboard at work for nearly a year now; heavy use; I'm a programmer....works great.
1686009
Yes. I use it along with a G13 for AutoCAD at work. Having enter, esc, del, bksp, undo, redo, & other commands always available is a great addition. Honestly, I game at home, but I make better use of the G buttons with productivity software than I ever have in the games (not that I don't use them for those too). For repetitive, command intensive software, programmable keys are the way to go.
1747008
Yep! You can program the G keys do do virtually anything you want, including relatively long snippets of text. I believe there's an upper limit but I don't know what it is.
1326422
The buttons, jog dial, and shuttle ring all map to keyboard commands (or macros you create) so yes, it will work with virtually any program. The software comes with mappings for all Adobe apps, Lightroom and Photoshop included, and you can customize them any way you desire. It's a great replacement for keyboards in editing-type apps where you frequently use the same commands. I don't use the copy-paste hotkeys much when I'm already using my keyboard for typing, like in Word or Excel, but when I'm using video or photo editors where things are mostly mouse-driven the Shuttle is an awesome tool.
679470
Yes--I strike waaaay too many extra keys when typing on a laptop and am constantly correcting my typing. Standard keyboards are much more user friendly for me. EB
277734
Hi David, Yes it is possible since one can add macros (combination of keys) and functions to those programmable keys. You can look at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/237179 for further reference. Regards...
1674046
I have this keyboard and I've written an AutoHotKey script to re-assign them to say, Launch Spotify when pressing F9 or play / pause Spotify when pressing F5. It works great. Running Windows 10.
2095744
I've tried Alt+Key Codes on Notepad and MS Word: it does not work (XP Tablet Edition 2005; MS Office 2003)
863826
There is some easy to use software that does that. I tell it that I want to map certain keyboard shortcuts or macros to the buttons and save that as a profile. When the linked program runs, the Synapse program swaps the profile to match. I have five profiles that took me maybe half an hour of tweaking to get perfect - I didn't have to take so long, but I was playing with it a bit - and after that it works on it's own.
2261776
suggestions would include trying the function keys, ctrl +Num and Fn +Num. I have no problems. Did you check online on the eHow and others? Geek type computer sites for others with this keyboard? Good luck.
2022047
I'll keep your tip in mind just in case I ever need it. So far (2+ months extensive use), I haven't had a problem with any of those keys, and I use the keypad instead of WASD as 'normal' people do.
1462532
I don't have it handy to test, but from what I recall about a month ago, it worked on Ubuntu 12.04. However the double characters on a single key press problem remained as far as I remember. Sorry can't help more.
1431226
yes, I have them on the alphabet, esc, alt, delete, punctuation ,<, .>,/?, ;: and '", and ctrl. Also on the += and -_. I didn't need them on the numbers. I LOVE them!!!!!!!!!
1560836
I have used this keyboard for about 4 years and love it. As with most keyboards, the wearing away of the coating on the keys for the most used keys is a pain. As long as you are a "typist" and not a two-finger-hunt-&-peck typist, you will be fine. The soft blue back-lighting makes it nice for use in low-light. It's a large/long keyboard, so I dispensed with the wrist rest thing. Overall, I am happy with mine.
1927353
of course! type in "pull out keyboard tray" and you'll see many options. good luck!