1. What is the foot switch for?
With all Kinesis contoured keyboards, a Single Action Foot Switch or a Triple Action Foot Switch allows the user to re-allocate commonly used key actions from the hands to the feet. Each contoured keyboard can support up to three Single Action Foot Switches or one Triple Action Foot Switch. The factory keyboard settings are (1) temporarily activate the embedded numeric keypad (10-key); (2) "Shift."; and "Enter".

Using a programmable Kinesis contoured keyboard, any key action or sequence of keys actions (macro) can be assigned to a foot switch pedal.

The Savant Programmable Foot Switch works with any keyboard to improve productivity and reduce strain to the hands and arms. It has three separate pedals which each can be programmed for key actions, macros or mouse clicks (USB version only). The Savant programmable is available in both PS/2 and USB versions.

2. Accountants and bookkeepers love this instant access to numeric keypad!
A very common use of Kinesis' foot switches is to activate the embedded numeric keypad on contoured keyboards. This is a great productivity tool, since your hand never leaves the home row while rapidly changing between numbers and letters. Push on the foot switch to activate numbers, let go to return to numbers (or vice versa). You will appreciate the reduced strain on your hands too, not having to reach for that separate keypad.

Note: You cannot activate the embedded 10-key with the Savant Programmable Foot Switch. If you have a Kinesis contoured keyboard, you should get a Single or Triple Action Foot Switch first, then add a Savant Programmable Switch if you need more foot actions.

3. Rapid access to customized embedded level (remapping, macros)...
Power users of computers rave about the ability to customize the "embedded layer." The embedded layer consists of the keys used for the embedded 10-key, plus almost every other key on the keyboard! You have access to 168 key actions without having to reach. Each embedded key can be remapped to make a top-level key more accessible. Or up to 48 keys can be assigned macros ranging from a single key actions to a sentence or command sequence.

Note: You cannot activate the embedded 10-key with the Programmable Triple Foot Switch. If you have a Kinesis contoured keyboard, you should get a Single or Triple Action Foot Switch first, then add a Savant Programmable Foot Switch if you need more foot actions.

4. New! Click the mouse with your feet!.
With the Savant programmable foot USB switch ways you can always have your mouse buttons close at hand (actually, "close at foot").

Compatible with virtually any PC, the USB version of the Savant Programmable foot switch comes pre-programmed for scroll, left and right mouse clicks.

Note:Mouse click functions are only compatible with Windows 98, 2000 and XP.

5. What can I do with a "programmable" foot switch?
By default, the Savant Programmable Foot Switch generates Ctrl, Alt, and Shift. Any keystroke or sequence of keystrokes (macros containing up to 900 keystrokes) from your PC keyboard can be stored in a single pedal. Once the memory pool of 900 keystrokes is used up, the remaining two pedals has 3 key actions reserved for it. You can even program "half-actions," (e.g. Esc down, but not Esc up) though this should be done with caution!

A couple of things you can't do with this item if you have a Kinesis contoured keyboard:
(1) You can't use it to instantly activate the embedded numeric keypad like you can with a single or dual-action foot switch.

Actually, there is a way...For example, if you program one of the three pedals as control, then program macros into your keyboard so that certain keys act like keypad keys when pressed in combination with control. However, this is solution is not for everyone...

6. Want more than three foot activated keys? Read on....
Contoured keyboards support up to two foot switch actions using the Single or Triple-action Foot Switch. Since the Savant Programmable Foot Switch plugs into your computer, not into your contoured keyboard's foot switch connector, you can use a combination to produce five foot switch actions.

It gets even better, if you really want your feet to be busy. You can combine two Programmable Foot Switches by in "daisy-chain" fashion.

7. One handed typing.
With a programmable contoured keyboard, you can program the foot switch to change keys between right and left side actions.

For example, you want the keyboard to be used with the right hand only. You remap the right side keys (normally the numeric keypad actions) to trigger left-side keys. You choose whether "mirror image" or "direct mapping" is more intuitive. When you want to type a left side key, you look at the left side physical key, then press the foot switch and the "equivalent" right side key.

It is easy, and doesn't create the strain of the traditional approach to one-handed typing - reaching for twice as many keys with a single hand. If you wish, you can also create macros (triggered by a second foot switch action) to recreate an embedded 10-key.

8. Thumb-free typing using embedded key actions.
With a programmable contoured keyboard and an optional footswitch, you can program easily-accessed embedded keys to trigger the same actions as the thumb keys when the footswitch is depressed. With a multi-action footswitch connected to the keyboard, you can also have one or more commonly-used modifier keys activated by a pedal instead of by a thumb. Footswitches connected to the keyboard may be combined with one or more Savant programmable footswitch connected directly to the computer.

Example:
Left Pedal becomes Alt
Middle pedal remains "keypad shift"
Right Pedal becomes Ctrl

Left side thumb key substitutes
Home: embedded g
End: embedded b
Delete: embedded f
Backspace: embedded d

Right side thumb key substitutes
Pageup: embedded h
Pagedown: embedded n
Enter: embedded j
Space: embedded k

9. How do I decide which foot switch to get?
If you don't have a contoured keyboard, the answer is easy: a Savant Programmable Foot Switch (the others work only with contoured keyboards, Model 130 or more recent).

If you have a contoured keyboard, the Single Action Foot Switch is great if you are not sure how much you will use it and cost is an important factor. It is bundled with the Professional and Advantage Pro keyboards.

The Triple Action Foot Switch is our most popular for contoured keyboard users. It is the same "chassis" as the Programmable Foot Switch, but lacks the sophisticated electronics inside. Most users feel it offers the most convenience and least effort. The large center pedal defaults to "Keypad shift," while the smaller, outer two pedals both default to "Shift." and "Enter". If you are buying a Professional contoured keyboard, you can upgrade to this item in lieu of a Single Action Foot Switch for a small additional charge.