[bsdubernerd]

I've been using the advantage pro (first model) for more than a decade after using (and trying) a ton of other keyboards, including popular choices like the microsoft natural line, some oddballs like the ergomagic (now defunct), split-flat (goldtouch go!) and so on...

For my personal preference the advantage is the best. I've trained both with dvorak and querty, and honestly didn't see any significant difference in either. For practical purposes I'm sticking with qwerty.

What makes the difference is:

- Columnar layout. Typing on a staggered layout just feels very wrong after getting used to a simple columnar layout. You don't need to get fancy with the rest: this is the #1 improvement for me.

- Thumb cluster for modifiers. This completely changes the dynamic of how shortcuts are executed.

- Good palm rest and key arching. The position overall feels just right when either hovering over the keyboard OR resting on it. Sadly, this result in a big keyboard that takes a ton of space.

What I don't like about it:

- Very bad position for ESC and overall position and switches for the Fn keys. I would have done another row just above instead of their layout. - Bad choices for some key positions (I'd move shifts to the thumb cluster and move away home/esc, INS is unusable, etc). Overall the kinesis' choice is to allow easier switchover from a regular qwerty keyboard so I do at least get the reasoning for the layout. - Too tall on the desk. I wished they would shave 3-4cm in height just by removing the empty space inside.

It's actually an easy keyboard to pick-up and start to use. Looks daunting, but most people I've challenged to try can get by after a few minutes thanks to the familiar qwerty layout.

To remain on topic, I really like the squeezebox on principle. There are some very interesting prototypes shown in the page (the vertical layout is something I'd love to physically try).

I do agree with other commenters that some finger movement is actually good, for the same reason is not healthy to stick your hand on the palmrest while typing.

There are not enough keys IMHO. I've contemplated multiple times to 3d-print myself a kinesis clone and/or an ergodox-alike, but I'd probably go for 5 rows and 6 columns per cluster at least in order to have the Fn keys as a _part_ of the cluster.

You can physically ignore extra keys in such a layout. One extra column on the sides or top row makes no difference if you don't use the key often, so you might just as well have the extra convenience available.

Clearly, the same is not true in a design like the squeezebox. And I don't want to criticize the squeezebox for this. I greatly believe different people might like different physical approaches to typing.

[dkersten]

Regarding the things you don't like, my solution was to get the foot pedals. I have the three pedal one and use one pedal as FnShift and another for shift. I've then also mapped some common things like ESC to the Fn layer, so I can press it with ease by hitting the FnShift with my foot.

Also, for when I don't feel like using the foot pedal, I've moved some keys slightly: CapsLock to Tab, Tab to left shift and Left Shift to FnShift.

When I started using the keyboard, I also mapped lots of common things that I found awkward to the Fn layer, especially the left side that's completely unused. But as I got used to the keyboard, I've sound I don't really use them anymore and don't actually remember what I mapped to the layer, only really using my ESC mapping and the default numpad mapping.

[bsdubernerd]

I also have the three pedals! I couldn't get used to use them regularly as much as I wanted and I some point I simply stopped.

My mapping was/is ESC, Ctrl and Shift. Never thought of using a FnSwitch, that's actually a great idea

[dkersten]

It took a little bit of getting used to, but once I did, its been great. I don't always use it, sometimes I'm just not sitting straight at my desk and its seems like effort, but when I'm typing heavily or coding, I typically do. It makes typing very pleasant.

I didn't use it to toggle Fn, but to shift it (just in case it wasn't obvious), since keeping my foot on it is really easy and letting go is the quickest way to switch back.

[reputet]

Thanks for sharing it!

> INS is unusable

What about Ctrl+Insert and Shift+Insert? Or Ctrl+Shift+C and Ctrl+Shift+V can handle all the cases?

[bsdubernerd]

Yes. The [Ctrl|alt]+Shift actually feels more comfortable than a regular keyboard, since it's very easy to stretch the pinky and the thumb, and still have 3 fingers available (you can reach any other key). The same is true in both sections of the keyboard. Learning to use both shift and ctrl keys (depending on which key comes next) is something that takes some getting used to, but feels very natural.

The problem I have with INS is due to it's position, requiring generally the ring finger to overflex to reach it, making it unbalanced to use compared to other keys.