Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Keyboard
Q) What are the keyboard specifications?
A) Approx. closed dimensions:
Width: 151/4 inches
Depth: 7 inches
Height at home row: 30 mm or 11/6 inches
Height: 3.3 lb.
Flat and fully open:
Depth: 7 inches
Height at home row: 30 mm or 11/6 inches
Height: 3.3 lb.
Flat and fully open:
Width: 18 inches
Height maximum: 41/2 inches
The key switch life is 10 million keystrokes.Operating system: Win 95, 98, NT and Dos. 3.0, and Windows 2000.
USB or PS/2 Port.
The Goldtouch Keyboard is continuously adjustable in the range 0° to 30°, both horizontally and vertically. Its dimensions vary due to this adjustability.
The keyboard has also been designed to disperse the workload to both left and right hands. On the standard keyboard most of the work is on the right side. The Goldtouch Keyboard has placed some of the keys such as the Home, Insert, End, Page Up, Page down and delete key on the left side to give more balance to the work.
Q) Is the space bar programmable?
A) No, the space bar is not programmable. None of the keys on the keyboard are programmable.
Q) Is their a Dvorak version of the keyboard?
A) No there is not, only a QWERTY version for English.
Q) Why is the keyboard designed the way it is?
A) This is an exceptional product designed to be adjusted to suit your individual body requirements, rather than forcing your body to conform to the keyboard. It provides for personal adaptation of the two alphanumeric sections to help you attain relaxation of the muscles and tendons of the hands, wrists, arms and shoulders. In so doing some undesirable awkward postures used in typing can be alleviated.
The Goldtouch Adjustable Keyboard allows for you to arrange your workspace to improve comfort and enhance productivity and efficiency. It has a small footprint and embedded numeric keypad so you don't need to reach as far to access your mouse.
Q) Where is the Serial Number on the Goldtouch Keyboard?
A) The serial number is located on the underside of the keyboard on the smallest label. It is located under the "USA Model".
Q) How do I know what position to adjust the keyboard to?
A) Everyone is different and will require different typing positions to suit them and their workstation.
Splay & Ulnar Deviation Adjustment.
There is usually a discrepancy between your shoulder width and keyboard width when you place your fingers on the home row of keys. You compensate by angling your wrists outward (ulnar deviation). Rather than have this happen, the Goldtouch Adjustable Keyboard splits in the horizontal plane (0° to 30°) relieving this awkward posture. The aim is to allow your wrists to be straight which in turn will increase your comfort level.
There is usually a discrepancy between your shoulder width and keyboard width when you place your fingers on the home row of keys. You compensate by angling your wrists outward (ulnar deviation). Rather than have this happen, the Goldtouch Adjustable Keyboard splits in the horizontal plane (0° to 30°) relieving this awkward posture. The aim is to allow your wrists to be straight which in turn will increase your comfort level.
Lateral Inclination & Pronation Adjustment
Placing your hands flat on the keys of a keyboard can require considerable muscular effort. This effort can cause fatigue and discomfort. The keyboard is split into segments so that it can be raised in the center to more closely match the natural alignment of the forearm and wrist. Forcing your hands down flat to the keyboard is a hand movement known as pronation. It is the rotation of the right hand in a counter-clockwise direction and clockwise for the left.
Placing your hands flat on the keys of a keyboard can require considerable muscular effort. This effort can cause fatigue and discomfort. The keyboard is split into segments so that it can be raised in the center to more closely match the natural alignment of the forearm and wrist. Forcing your hands down flat to the keyboard is a hand movement known as pronation. It is the rotation of the right hand in a counter-clockwise direction and clockwise for the left.
Experiment, give yourself time to familiarize yourself with this new posture and fine tune the adjustment until you feel a sense of relaxation in the wrists, forearms, shoulders and neck.
IMPORTANT: After making this adjustment check that your elbows are at 90° and your forearms are horizontal. If they are not, alter your seat or desk height.
Key Ovation provides a separate 18-key numeric keypad for those who need them (click here for Keypad product information).
Q) Can I split the Goldtouch Keyboard into two pieces?
A) We do not recommend that our keyboard be separated completely. Separating the Goldtouch keyboard into two pieces voids the product warranty.
Q) Why are the keys position that way that they are on the Goldtouch keyboard?
A) There are ergonomic reasons for the key layout. The positioning of the Delete, Insert, Scroll Lock and Function Lock keys are designed to assist in the work distribution between the left and right hands.
Q) What sort of key switches does the keyboard use?
A) The Goldtouch Keyboard uses rubber dome springs rather than buckling springs as used in the old Lexmark Select-Ease/IBM Options Keyboard. These have a lighter activation force curve and a soft end-stop. It is also much quieter. The force-displacement curve complies with ISO standards and provides crisp tactile feedback.
Q) Does the keyboard bounce when adjusted?
A) No, minimal bounce is experienced when typing. It is necessary to set the keyboard up to be stable on its four feet to stop any wobble. Pull the locking bar mechanism out. With the right hand lifting the back of the keyboard from underneath, place the left thumb on the Goldtouch logo and pull the handle back into the locked position. Each half needs to be pretty even for it not to rock or bounce. If the keyboard still wobbles, pull the locking bar out again and adjust it slightly until you feel the two halves are stable.
Q) How do I know if I need a PS/2 or a USB keyboard?
A) A "PS/2" and a "USB" Keyboard is referring to the type of connection needed to plug the keyboard into your computer. If you look at the back of your computer you can see the ports into which you plug the various peripherals. A typical "Windows-based" PC will need a PS/2 connector keyboard, as you can see an image of a keyboard imprinted next to a small, round port. A typical Mac computer will need a USB keyboard, as you can see from the narrow, small, rectangular port at the back of your computer.
Q) Is the Goldtouch Keyboard compatible with Linux?
A) Yes, We test a new GTU-0077 with a Linux box, version SuSE 9.1 Kernel 2.6.5-7.276. The computer was powered down, we attached the keyboard to the USB Connection, started it up and it worked perfectly. The keyboard was also tested with commands in Linux programming routines and Windows-based applications through VM Ware (Vitural Machine) software and everything worked as it should.
Q) Can any of the keys be reprogrammed on the Mac Keyboard?
A) Yes, The modifier keys can be swapped. Go to Preferences, keyboard, and then modifier keys.