Some of the more advanced features of QMK aren't available in Kinesis' onboard programming, although it has become increasingly capable and I'd expect this version to be even more capable.
I'd suggest if you're interested to check out the QMK Docs [1] and specifically the "Software Features" where many of the features QMK has that SmartSet and Kinesis' onboard programming don't support.
Wow. Lots of interesting things. But how much of this do you actually use? I personally have a hard time imagining using any of it as part of daily workflow.
Personally I use very little of much of these big features. One that is indispensable to me is Mod-Tap, which allows me to use normal keys as modifier keys. For example, my 'z' key also functions as "Ctrl + Shift" when held down. My Caps lock key functions as "Ctrl + Shift + Cmd + Option" when held down and an Escape key when I tap it.
This actually is a feature now on SmartSet (I believe), but it wasn't always. Kinesis is pretty good about slowly iterating new features out to people in its custom firmware.
Combos is a feature that I'd like to explore more but it doesn't cooperate with mod-tap keys so it'll require some more thought. I've used mouse keys in the past regularly though lately haven't been using it very much.
The broader point is that it at the minimum offers me things that would require me to use something like Karabiner Elements or AutoHotkey to accomplish less well in software on a firmware level. I can change just about anything I want on my keyboard to make it my own without having to be concerned about configuring it on the operating system. It's also just fun!
MT: single key can be used as both modifier key and normal key. It works as modifier key when keep hold the key, and it works as normal key when just tapped the key. SandS is a kind of MT, abbr of Space and Shift. It works as its name suggests.
LT; single key can be used as both temporary switching layer key and normal key, similar to MT.
Why is it important is because I want to place useful functions on most accessible keys.
Exactly my setup as well (two Kinesis Advantage 2s, modded with QMK). I hope the new version either comes with QMK built-in, or the new version of their firmware is at least as good as QMK.
The new iteration is called Advantage360, has contoured key wells (of course), and is fully split (omg, omg)! Kinesis is looking for feedback to finalize some details (link in their facebook post).
A fully split Advantage is a really interesting prospect. I have a Freestyle Edge RGB at home that I really like, and an Advantage at work that I haven't used in over a year.
My biggest complaint about the Advantage is the placement of the arrow keys in the bottom row. I never got used to them (and I sometimes use vi with a Dvorak layout). I hit them by accident far more often than on purpose. From the survey, it appears to me that they are still in approximately the same location.
Yeah, the arrow key placement does need some getting used to. Personally, it’s never bothered me, but I should note that I mainly use vim and don’t need the cursor keys very often (thanks to vim’s text objects).
Oh wow,
I've been a KINESIS user for years, and I thought I knew their product line well. But their new gaming keyboards, the Freestyle Edge[1] and the TKO[2] totally snuck up on me.
I've been using the Freestyle Edge for the past year or so. Before that, I had used the Microsoft Natural keyboard for many years because I never found a mechanical ergonomic keyboard I liked and found affordable.
The Edge keyboard has been awesome. I highly recommend it to anyone who's looking to upgrade to mechanical, but in the style of the Microsoft Natural 4000 series.
I have an Edge I bought for a new job in February 2020. It's been sitting there for a while now! I'm at home mainly on my a Freestyle2, which alas, is a decade old about & starting to get sticky. I have the VIP tilt kit & ascent 90 degree adapter, Wich I switch between & treasure. Just wish there were a chair mount kit!!
I had the MS Natural when it was first released. Friends looked at it like an alien artifact dropped down, but at the time dual monitors, a case with some fan switches on it, & other artifacts were also utterly bizarre & new.
In college I made the awesome move of getting a second Natural keyboard, which I used like a split keyboard. I loved it & still think it's probably the best ergonomics I've ever had. I have the extra long cable for the Edge & just can't imagine surviving with the relative short default split keyboard cables- sometimes it feels great to put my arms out, not just in front of me. The dual keyboards similarly gave me that radical flexibility. What I can't get from the edge & freestyle is the countoured feel of those dual natural.
And alas, this new Advantage will have the deal breaker that just is too weird for me- linear columns, no staggered rows. I really want the ergonomic contouring, but totally changing how all the keys are lain out is part of the Advantage package & it's imo terrible.
By the way, before I switched over to Kinesis Advantage 2 years ago (due to a severe case of RSI), I used MS natural keyboard for quiet a while and I liked it a lot. It’s probably still the best entry-level ergonomics keyboard out there!
The keys arranged in vertical columns has been a God-send for me. It took a week to get used to but boy are they comfortable to type on! That, and for the first time in my life, thanks in part to the key arrangement, I can touch-type every key (alpha, nums, symbols, f-keys etc.).
This sound tempting, but again the trend is for less keys that force the use of layers. One of the main reason for me to build my own keyboard (https://imgur.com/a/By9YN2q) is this (pls, wish extra keys for major programming symbols. Amazing? YES!).
https://michael.stapelberg.ch/posts/2020-07-09-kint-kinesis-...