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Choice of Two Layouts and Three Thumb Key Modes
All Advantage2 keyboards come with two “onboard” layouts to choose from: the familiar QWERTY layout
and the alternative Dvorak layout. The factory default layout is QWERTY, but Dvorak typists can load the
Dvorak layout with a simple onboard shortcut. Each can be revised independently.
5.1 Default QWERTY Configuration (progm + F3)
The Advantage2 uses the familiar QWERTY key layout for the vast majority of keys (see Fig 11). Compared
to traditional keyboards there are several changes to the location of non-letter keys to transfer the typing
workload from your overworked little fingers to your stronger thumbs. Virtually all alphanumeric keys on the
Advantage2 are still typed with the conventional finger, so there is no need to re-learn to type.
5.2 Alternate Onboard Dvorak Layout (progm + F4)
The Dvorak layout was first developed in the 1930’s by August Dvorak to reduce finger movement in order to
increase typing speed and decrease errors as compared to the traditional QWERTY layout. Unlike most
keyboards, every Advantage2 has an onboard Dvorak layout (see Fig 12) that can be accessed using an
onboard programming shortcut. Our Dvorak layout has been custom designed to fit the Advantage2’s unique
architecture, and has minor differences from the generic Dvorak keyboard driver available in your operating
system, which was optimized for traditional keyboards. It you prefer a different layout like Colemak, it is
possible to create your own custom layout by remapping multiple keys from either the default QWERTY or
Dvorak layouts (see Section 6). See the Kinesis Technical Support web pages for available layout files.
Optional QWERTY- Dvorak dual-legended keycaps
Although it is possible to remove the alphanumeric keycaps and rearrange them into the Dvorak layout,
Kinesis does not recommend doing this due to the different keycap row styles used. Changing the positions of
the keycaps will make it difficult for your fingers to move across the keys as the size and shape of each
keycap was designed to fit a specific location in the keywell.
Kinesis recommends that Dvorak typists purchase the Advantage2 QD model (KB600QD) which features
dual-legended QWERTY-Dvorak keycaps (see Fig 13). You may also separately purchase Dvorak-only and
QWERTY-Dvorak keycap sets to upgrade any Advantage2 model.
Fig 11. Default configura on: QWERTY Layout & Windows Thumb Key Mode