Here are some tips and information that we have developed or received from
our customers over the years that may help you to use your TypeMatrix
product even more effectively: - Identifiers: Putting a small bar or square of stick-on Velcro on the keys that you
want to identify readily greatly helps in the early adjustment stage i.e. the index fingers
of both hands on the home row; the function key; the control key - whatever key you
use frequently and need some extra help to locate in the beginning.
- Tutors: For Windows users, practicing with the MasterMind Touch-Typing Tutor
(free download from this website). Using this tutor daily for a couple of weeks
will greatly assist you in getting adjusted to the changes on this keyboard.
For learning the Dvorak layout, this tool is essential. (Mac users, see below)
- Protective Skins: We now have clear or black, flexible silicone skins that fit beautifully over the EZR 2030
keyboard (not available for the 2020 - sorry). These are great for total protection
of your keyboard from dust, debris, and spills. The black version also allows you to easily
add another legend (QWERTY for Dvorak labeled keyboards, or vice versa).
Call or email us directly for this product. (Price: $20)
- Keyboard Cases: One of our customers found a suitable case for protecting the keyboard if you plan
to carry it with you from place to place:
http://www.cowboyneeds.com/CasesPass.html. Order the large size which firts
well for both the 2020 and the 2030 models. (Price: $21.95 plus s/h)
- Cleaning: We have found that frequent cleaning of the keybaords is very important.
Debris of all sorts may accumulate under the keycaps after several months of use, but
can be eliminated easily regularly using a vacuum over the keycaps to remove dust
and debris, or by using a compressed air product, such as DustOff, to blow out anything
that may be resting in unwanted places.
- Sticky keys: If your keyboard develops "sticky" keys, or keys that do not function
consistently, most likely a piece of debris is preventing a clean contact with the
electronics, and we have developed instructions to assist you in cleaning more
thoroughly under the keycaps:
- Turn off your computer.
- Gently lift the affected keycap up from the bottom until it clicks open, like
it's on a hinge. For the vertically oriented keys, lift from the right side up,
hinging on the left hand side.
- Check under the keycap, using a flashlight if needed, to see if there are
crumbs (!) or dust particles collected there that may be interfering with the
contact to the keyboard, being careful not to disturb the double-scissor mechanism,
if possible. The best way to clean this area is to use the pressurized air.
- If you do happen to lift the entire keycap and dislodge it from the scissor
mechanism, see the next section "Reassembling keys" for instructions.
- If you know that there is trouble with the double scissor mechanism,
contact us also for the possibility of replacement of these parts.
- Check the silicon dome at the center of the key structure -- is it
mushy or off-center?
- You may want to check another key that is operating correctly in
order to compare the structures and operating mechanisms.
- Once you have examined the key thoroughly, place the keycap back
directly over the underlying structure and gently but firmly press
down. The keycap should click back into place. Try it now and
see if any difference can be noticed.
- Reassembling keys: If a keycap should come off during the cleaning process, or due to some
other reason, we have a set of instructions to reassemble the keys:
- There are two pieces that make up the unique scissor-mechanism under
each keycap on the TypeMatrix keyboards. They look basically like this:
Piece #1
| Piece #2
 |
- To assemble, place both pieces on a flat surface oriented like the pictures above
with the top feet on Piece #1 touching the surface and the bottom feet of Piece #2
touching the surface. Piece #2 goes
underneath and inside Piece #1, with the tabs on the
sides of Piece #2 clicking into the holes on the sides of Piece #1, so that it
looks like this, when collapsed:
Side-view
 | Top-view
 |
- Hold the double, connected piece, so that the "feet" are in a downward direction
towards the keyboard. The "top feet" of Piece #1 should be facing the top of the
keyboard and the "bottom feet" of Piece #2 should be facing the bottom of the
keyboard (like the "Top-view" above).
- Slide (1.) the top two feet under the two housing slots on the keyboard structure
where the key would go, like this:
Lay the scissor mechanism flat against the keyboard and press the bottom feet
into place. You will hear a "click" sound (2.). - Once the scissor mechanism has been clicked into place correctly, the keycap is
centered over the mechanism and pressed into place gently, but firmly. Again,
you will hear the keycap click into place at the top and at the bottom of the keycap.
Belkin USB to PS/2 Adapter Part #F5U119-E - Research and feedback
from customers has now led us to recommend the use of the Belkin USB
adapter for all Mac applications. You can
purchase this product directly from us or on any of the sites where
Belkin products are sold. Y-Mouse Keyboard and Mouse adapter for USB - available at
http://www.ymouse.com/ymouse/whym08.php.
We know this adapter works, although it is a bit expensive at $49.95. We will continue to add to this list as we learn of other acceptable devices. Eventually, when
our keyboards are produced in USB, this will not be a problem. - Changes: These are the changes that occur on the keyboard when using Mac OS:
- The Start key (Windows key) becomes the Apple Key
- The Alt key becomes the Option key
- The Control key remains the Control key
- Print Screen becomes F13
- Sroll Lock becomes F14
- Pause/Break becomes F15
- F12 opens and ejects the CD
- Typing Tutors: For Mac Typing Tutors that also assist in learning the Dvorak layout,
here are some suggestions given to us by Mac users:
Each of these programs contain unique features, so you must try them out
to see which you prefer, and then purchase them online from the separate
companies. - Keyboard Installation: Initializing the TypeMatrix Keyboards with Mac OS 10.4
Booting up for the first time with the TypeMatrix keyboard will invoke the Keyboard Setup Assistant:
Click on the Continue button, bringing up the following window:
In this window, press the lower of the two keys on the right side of
the left shift (this should be "z" for QWERTY or ";" for DVORAK labeled
keyboards)
Press the "pipes" key (the one that has |,\, and the number 6 on it). Please note, you will stay at this window for a while. If there is no change after a couple of minutes, press the "pipes" key a couple of times. Either way brings up the following window:
Click on the OK button, bringing up the following window:
Click on the ANSI (United States and others) radio button...
Then click the Done button. The rest of the logon process will continue as usual.
- Typing Tutors: The following typing tutors have been recommended to us for Linux:
(Thanks to Eric M. and Maura D. for sharing this information with us!)
Some EZ-Reach users have expressed the desire to have the Home-End-PgUp-PgDn keys
and the Insert key directly accessible on this keyboard. Here are suggestions
to remap your keyboard this way, and any other way you may want: - Windows Users:
- Linux Users: Use .Xmodmap with these codes (these are for the 2020 model. Codes for the 2030 may be different - if you have detailed information about this, please write us):
keycode 75 = Home
keycode 76 = End
keycode 95 = Prior (PgUp)
keycode 96 = Next (PgDown)
keycode 97 = F9
keycode 103 = F10
keycode 99 = F11
keycode 105 = F12
The "Application" or "Menu" key has no real use and can be modified as you see fit. It is keycode 117.
If you use a .Xmodmap file, here is a sample that changes the "Start/cut" button on the 2030 model to Control
(something Linux/Unix users frequently request). We're told this works for most *nix flavours,
but some modification may be required for you. If you want to modify the behaviour of other
keys, use the "xev" command and then hit the key in question to get the key name.
.Xmodmap (place this in your home directory)
add Control = Super_L - Mac Users:
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