Kinesis Advantage, Advantage KB500USB-LF, Advantage KB500USB/QD, Advantage KB510USB Brief User's Manual

Brief User’s Guide
Kinesis

® Advantage™ Keyboard

USB Contoured

™ keyboard

(Mac/PC Switchable)

KB500USB, KB500USB-LF, KB500USB/QD, KB510USB

This document is designed to be a quick overview and refer­ence guide for your new Advantage contoured
The full User’s Manual can be downloaded at kinesis.com
(click on “support”).

Connecting to your computer

The Kinesis Advantage keyboard requires a USB port on your
computer or on a wall-powered hub. For Macintosh
the operating system must be OS 8.6 or more recent. For Win­dows PCs, the operating system should be Windows
newer. No special driver is required; just use the standard
driver provided by the operating system. Note: due to incom-

plete backwards compatibility of some USB 3.0 hardware, the
Advantage keyboard will not work on some USB 3.0 ports in a
Windows 7 environment. This problem does not exist in Win­dows 8, Linux, or Macintosh OS X.

The first time you connect your keyboard to a Windows PC,
the system will identify the keyboard as a new USB device and
should install generic “HID” drivers provided by the operating
system. It is advisable not to connect a USB device to the USB
ports at the back of the keyboard until the keyboard itself is
installed and operating correctly.

Using integrated palm rests and palm pads

The palm rests are designed to provide comfortable support for
your hands while not actively typing, though many users rest
their palms some of the time while typing in order to relieve
strain on the neck and shoulders. For maximum speed, try
holding your palms slightly above the palm rest area while
typing. Do not expect to reach all of the keys on the keyboard
without moving your hands from a stationary position on the
palm rests. For maximum comfort, install the self-adhesive
palm pads provided with your new keyboard. Replacement
palm pads are available from your dealer or direct from
Kinesis.

Connecting an optional foot switch

If you purchased an optional single or triple Contoured key­board foot switch, it plugs in to the telephone-style (RJ11)
connector at the back of the keyboard, where the main cable
exits the enclosure. The default action for a single pedal acti­vates the embedded keypad layer, while the additional pedals
of a triple foot switch perform Shift and Keypad Enter. Foot
switches are programmable just like any key on the keyboard
(see remapping and macros on pages 2 & 3).

Familiar key layout
(QWERTY standard, Dvorak dual-legen ded av ai l able)

Kinesis Contoured keyboards retain the familiar QWERTY
key layout. Several changes in the lo cation of non-letter keys
reduce the work required of your little fingers and increase the
workload for your stronger thumbs. Optional foot switches can
further reduce the work demanded of your hands and fingers.

™ keyboard.

® systems,

® 2000 or

Alphanumeric keys on the Advantage keyboard

The alphanumeric key layout is split into two separate sections
on the keyboard. However, the finger you use to press each
key is the same one that you would use on a traditional key­board. The middle row of keys is the home row.

To help you to locate the home row, these keys are a different
color and are differently sculpted. It is important to be able to
find the home row by touch from anywhere on the keyboard.
To facilitate this, Kinesis has designed the tops of the home
row keycaps with a cupped shape to comfortably hug your
fingertips.

Keys legends which differ for PC and Macintosh

PC/Windows keyboards and Macintosh key boards have differ­ent legends for certain keys that perform the same action. As
the Advantage keyboard can be used on both a PC and on a
Mac, we’ve provided a list below to clarify the slight differ­ences you may notice.
PC Backspace is the Mac “Delete”
PC Delete is the Mac “Forward Delete,”
PC Enter is the Mac Return
PC Ctrl is the Mac Control
PC Alt is the Mac Alt/Option
PC Windows key is the Mac Command key
PC keypad = key is a duplicate of the number row += key
The Mac keypad = key is unique to the Mac OS and isn’t
recognized by Windows.

CHOOSE FROM FOUR MODELS

Except for KB500USB-LF, all models use Cherry MX low-force, no-click
tactile switches (brown stem), which were developed by Cherry
specifically for Kinesis in 1992.

KB500USB: Standard model, QWERTY legends, black enclosure

and keycaps, white legends (U.S., German, Swedish, and UK layouts
available).

KB500USB-LF: Same as the standard model except with low-force

linear-feel switches (Cherry MX, red stem). U.S. QWERTY layout only.

KB500USB/QD: The Dvorak layout is a driverless on-board feature

of all Advantage keyboards. However, this model has QWERTY/
Dvorak dual white legends on black keys. U.S. layout only.

KB510USB: Advantage Pro has a metallic-finished top case, black

keys, white QWERTY legends, extra lockable memory for longer
macros, and a single footswitch. Memory locking details on page 3.
U.S. layout only.

Configuring your keyboard for PC or Mac with the
“instant configuration” feature

The Advantage USB MPC keyboard has three pre-configured
layouts, each optimized for different operating systems (see
following page): Windows, PC (non-windows), and Macin-
tosh. The keyboard is shipped in the Windows mode for the
U.S. model, and in PC mode for non-US models.

Two extra keycaps and a keycap removal tool are provided
with your new keyboard if you decide to change from the de­fault configuration. For replacing selected ke y caps, refer to the
diagrams below.

To change the instant configuration setting, it is best to open a
text editor. Use the = key in the number row as a modifier and
while holding it, tap the P for PC mode (no Windows key), or
the W for Windows mode, or the M for Mac mode, then re­lease the = key. See the three images below showing the thumb
key actions for the different configurations.

Key actions in Windows mode, default (= w).

Key actions in PC mode (=p).

Key actions in Macintosh mode (=m). Mac-specific actions
are not legended except .

Mac

Delete

Back

Space

Mac

Delete

z

Alt

Mac

Option

Home

End

z

Ctrl

Enter

Page

Up

Mac

Return

Page

Down

Space

Embedded numeric keypad

The Advantage keyboard has a second layer of key actions
referred to as the “embedded layer.” The embedded layer in­cludes a complete numeric keypad on the
right side of the keyboard. The Kinesis

Embedded keypad,
num lock on.

keypad uses the Space key for 0 and in­cludes an = key.

To turn on the embedded layer, tap the
Keypad function key, and tap again to turn
it off. This may also be accomplished with
an optional foot switch, which is held
down to activate the embedded layer and
released to return to normal key actions.

Num Lock must be on (see “Changing
Num Lock” below) to create numbers with

Embedded keypad,
num lock off.

the embedded keypad. With Num Lock off,
these keys perform cursor movement ac­tions (see the figure to the right).

Changing Num Lock state

To change the state of “Num Lock,” press
the Keypad function key, then press the
Nm Lk key (legended on the front face of
the “7&” key in the top number row).

Mac-specific key actions

In Macintosh mode, the embedded keypad = (on the front of
the 8* key in the number row) performs the Mac specific key-
pad= action which is not recognized in Windows. When in
Windows or PC mode, the embedded keypad = is the same as
the =+ key in the number row.

Also, the PC Scroll Lock key (in the upper right functio n key
group) becomes the Macintosh power key. Whe n using Mac
mode on a Macintosh computer, press this key to begin the
shut down process.

LED Indicators

There are four green lights (LEDs) near the center of the Kine­sis keyboard. The far left LED (“A”) is Caps Lock, followed
by Num Lock (“1”),
Scroll Lock (↓) and
Keypad . Most
computers have
Num Lock on by default. Do not be concerned about this, as
LEDs last a very long time and consume very little power. If
you wish to turn Num Lock off, see instructions above.

Turning on and off audible tones for toggle keys
(Progrm + hyphen/dash key)

The keyboard includes audible tones for keys which toggle on
and off. These include Caps Lock, Num Lock, Keypad, Scroll
Lock, and Insert. When the keyboard is used with a PC, tones
sound twice when the keys above are turned on and once when
the key is turned off. To turn off these tones, hold down
Progrm and press the hyphen/underscore key (in the upper
right corner of the right-side keywell). If you wish to turn on
the tones again, repeat the process.

Turning on and off the key click feature (Progrm + \| key)

By default, the keyboard includes an audible click for all keys.
To turn off the key click, hold down Progrm and press the
Backslash key (“\”) located just below the hyphen/underscore
key). If you wish to turn on the key click again, repeat the pro­cess.

Remapping

Remapping is a feature allowing you to move, swap, copy, or
even inactivate single key actions. (Please note, the keycaps
are not designed to be moved). Your Advantage keyboar d h as
the unique ability to do this without drivers.

The Remapping process (Progrm + F12)

To remap a key action, hold down the Progrm key and tap F12
(also labeled Remap), then release both keys. The keyboard’s

lights will begin flashing rapidly. Tap the key whose action

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you want to copy somewhere else (source key). The LEDs will

Enter

Page

Down

Page

Down

Space

Ctrl

PageUpPage

Up

HomeHome

DeleteDelete

End

Back

Space

Back

Space

Alt

z

Switch to right: unlocked
Switch to left: locked

Note: use corner
of business card
or equivalent to
slide switch

Ctrl

begin flashing slowly. Now tap the key where you want the
new action to appear (destination key). The LEDs will again
flash rapidly. To remap more than one key, repeat this proce ss.
You do not need to exit from remapping m od e betwee n key s.

When you are done making changes, exit remapping by hold­ing the Progrm key and tapping F12. The lights should imme­diately stop flashing. You must exit from remapping for your
keyboard to perform the changes you’ve made.

Default layout always available when remapping

When you are in remapping mode, the factory configured key
layout is always active. No key can be “lost” by remapping.

Remapping from or to the embedded layer

To remap an embedded key action to a convenient top level
location, turn on the embedded layer before entering re­mapping mode. After tapping the “source” key, tap the Keypad
key to switch back to the top layer, then tap the “destination”
key where you want the new action.

To remap from the top layer to the embedded layer, follow the
normal remapping process but tap the Keypad key before tap­ping the “destination” key.

Switching between QWERTY and Dvorak

To activate the “on-board” Dvorak layout, press and hold
Progrm + Shift + F5. Repeat this sequence to return to the

default QWERTY layout. Please note, activating the Dvorak
layout will erase any other remapping that you may have done,
but macros are not erased. If you want to customize the key­board and switch back and forth between QWERT Y a nd Dv o­rak, use macros to make your special changes. Also, macros
will play correctly even if recorded in QWERTY and played
when the keyboard has been switched to Dvorak.

Macros

Macros allow you to automate frequently-used phrases or key
combinations. Macros are shortcuts and time savers which
reduce keystrokes needed for awkward, complex, or repetitive
tasks. Essentially anything you would normally type with your
keyboard can be stored as a macro. Your Advantage keyboard
has the unique ability to do this without drivers. Up to 24 mac­ros are normally allowed with up to ~55 characters in each (up
to ~120 characters with the Advantage Pro model). Refer to
the full manual (see back page) for additional details.

Macro modifier keys and macro trigger keys

When programming a macro, you must first designate the key
or keys (the “trigger”) which will play back the macro. A trig­ger can be any letter, number, or navigation key (but not a
modifier such as Shift, Ctrl, or Alt). Such a key may also be
combined with one or more modifier keys. For example a mac­ro can be triggered by Capslock, and a different macro can be
triggered by Shift-Capslock, or by Ctrl-Shift-Capslock.

The keyboard will not allow you to use a modifier by itself to
trigger a Macro unless it is first remapped to be a non-modifier
key (see above). Macros which include a modifier key in the
trigger can be activated with either the right or left modifier.

Creating a macro (Progrm + F11)

To create a macro, hold down the Progrm key and tap F11
(also labeled Macro), then release both keys. The keyboard’s

lights will begin flashing rapidly. Tap the key or combination
of keys that will playback the macro (the lights will begin
flashing slowly). Now type the key or keys you wish to include
in your macro. When you have finished, exit by holding the
Progrm key and tapping F11. The lights should immediately
stop flashing. If not, you may have added F11 to the end of
your macro and will need to repeat this process.

Resetting keyboard memory & memory locking
If the keyboard behaves strangely or you wish to re-create the
factory settings, the first thing to try is a memory reset. Note

“Instant Configuration” settings are not affected by resetting
the keyboards memory. Two different memory reset proce-

dures are described below.

Memory loc king

If you have the
Advantage Pro model,
be sure the memory
locking switch is to the
right (unlocked). See
adjacent image for the
location. The switch
can be moved using the
edge of a business card
or a small, folded piece
of regular-thickness paper.

Memory reset, Option One (Progrm + Shift + F10)

This procedure will erase all remapping and macros. It will not
switch Dvorak back to QWERTY or vice versa. Press and hold
the Progrm key, then add one of the Shift keys, and finally add
the F10 function key so that all three keys are depressed. The
lights on the keyboard should begin flashin g. Rel ease the ke y s .
When the flashing stops, the keyboard’s memory has been
reset. (This may take a few seconds to complete).

Memory reset, Option Two (F7)

This procedure is more aggressive than Option One and will
completely reset the memory back to factory settings (24 mac­ros, QWERTY layout). Hold down the F7 key before turning
on the power to your computer. Start your computer and after a
few seconds, release F7. A successful reset is indicated if the
keyboard’s lights flash several times after releasing F7.

Troubleshooting & technical support

Visit our web site, kinesis.com, for usability and troubleshoot­ing tips. Click on “support,” then on “technical support.”

Contacting Kinesis Technical Support

Contact Kinesis technical support only after you ha ve read the
entire User’s Manual and still have problems or unanswered
questions. You may contact Kinesis Technical Support by E­mail ([e-mail]), fax [phone]), or phone (800­454-6374 US only or 425-402-8100). Technical support hours
are 8:30am to 4:30pm Pacific Time except weekends and holi­days.

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When you contact Kinesis, be prepared to document your pur­chase date, as well as your product model number and serial
number. Also know the brand and model of your computer and
your computer’s operating system.

Getting an RMA number prior to product repair

For any repair, whether or not it is covered by your warranty,
you must contact Kinesis to explain the problem, provide cer­tain information, and get an RMA number to write on your
package. Packages sent to Kinesis without first obtaining an
RMA number may be refused. Product will not be repaired
without information and instructions from the owner.

Packaging and Shipping

If you need to ship the product back to Kinesis, use its original
or other packaging that protects it against impact and shock.
Be sure to contact Kinesis for an RMA number and Kinesis’
shipping address. You should insure the package since Kinesis
is not responsible for items until they are received by the Kine­sis repair center.

SAFETY & HEALTH TIPS

New Users: Establish realistic expectations!

If you currently have an injury to your hands or arms, or have
had such an injury in the past, it is important that you have
realistic expectations of your keyboard. You should not expect
an immediate improvement in your physical condition simply
because you are using a new keyboard. Your physical trauma
has built up over months or years, and it may take a number of
weeks before you notice a difference. At first, you may feel
some new fatigue or discomfort as you adapt to your Kinesis
keyboard.

Keyboard is not a medical treatment!

The Kinesis Advantage keyboard is not a medical treatment or
a substitute for appropriate medical treatment. If any infor­mation in this guide seems to contradict the advice you have
received from a health care professional, please follow your
health care professional’s instructions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Full User’s Manual

View or download the full Advantage Keyboard User’s manu­al by visiting the “support” section at kinesis.com.

Kinesis Keyboard Limited Warranty

Kinesis Corporation (“Kinesis”) warrants to the original retail
purchaser that this Kinesis keyboard (“Product”) is free from
defects in materials and workmanship and will perform sub­stantially in accordance with the Product documentation for
two years from the date of purchase.

This Warranty 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.

For complete warranty information visit kinesis.com and click
on “Support” to find the warranty PDF document.

Purchaser’s Exclusive Remedies

During the first TWO (2) years after the date of original pur­chase, the exclusive remedy for a defect in this Kinesis Prod­uct shall be, at Kinesis Corporation’s option, either repair or
replacement of the product. If you suspect the Product is not
working properly or if you have questions about the perfor­mance of the Product, contact Kinesis technical support.

If you wish to return the Product to Kinesis for any reason, you
must obtain from Kinesis an RMA number and instructions for
returning the product. You are responsible for the cost of ship­ping the product to Kinesis. Within the United States and Can­ada, Kinesis will ship products repaired or replaced under war­ranty to you by ground at no charge. Repair parts and replace­ment Product will be either reconditioned or new.

Disclaimer of Other Warranties

The warranty and remedies set forth above are exclusive and in
lieu of all others, whether oral or written, express or implied.
Kinesis specifically disclaims any and all implied warranties,
including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability
and fitness for a particular purpose. No Kinesis dealer, agent,
or employee is authorized to make any modification, exten­sion, or addition to this warranty. Kinesis does not warrant that
the product will meet your requirements, or that operation of
the product will be uninterrupted or error-free, or that all errors
will be corrected.

Limitation of liability

Kinesis is not responsible for special, incidental, or consequen­tial damages resulting from any breach of warranty, or under
other legal theory, including but not limited to lost profits,
downtime, goodwill, damage to or replacement of equipment
and/or property nor any costs of recovering, reprogramming,
or reproducing any program or data stored in or used with
Kinesis products.

Legal notice: Trademarks & Patents

Kinesis is a registered trademark and Advantage, MPC,
MPC/QD, and Contoured are trademarks of Kinesis Corpo­ration. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Cor­poration. Apple, Mac, Macintosh and OS X are registered
trademarks of Apple Inc.

The Kinesis Advantage keyboard is protected by U.S. and
other patents including

US 5,673,040, and US 5,689,253.

US 5,610,602, US 6,005,496,

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Version September 27, 2013