tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post435990334804471530..comments2024-02-01T13:10:35.122-07:00Comments on The Invisible Blog: Chopping Off the Number Pad (Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000)MCM Addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12539971864405693982noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-68609323929294462472019-06-09T17:14:39.699-06:002019-06-09T17:14:39.699-06:00It helped me immensely, but mine was a shoulder is...It helped me immensely, but mine was a shoulder issue (holding my arm out to the side past the number pad to use the mouse).The Invisiblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08816261262627369350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-42250676764550631772019-06-09T13:02:25.534-06:002019-06-09T13:02:25.534-06:00This is great. I'm thinking about doing this s...This is great. I'm thinking about doing this same thing--glad to see it can be done. <br />My question is... Does it help? I'm getting tennis elbow in my right arm with a regular setup. Josiahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10962529838359168488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-12131721622280927592019-06-09T10:06:08.747-06:002019-06-09T10:06:08.747-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Josiahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10962529838359168488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-79709934544293448272015-03-17T10:01:18.179-06:002015-03-17T10:01:18.179-06:00Nice! I do like the smaller footprint of the new ...Nice! I do like the smaller footprint of the new ergo Microsoft, especially considering I rarely (if ever) use the extra buttons at the top of the 4000.The Invisiblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08816261262627369350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-9530673834475946832015-03-14T20:39:28.432-06:002015-03-14T20:39:28.432-06:00Did two of my 4000s this weekend, they came out re...Did two of my 4000s this weekend, they came out really well. Shoe Goo is a great glue for dealing to the wrist pads after shaping.<br /><br /><a href="http://imgur.com/CBjEQhr" rel="nofollow">This photo</a> shows them with the sculpt for a size comparison.Len Trigghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04384024284871363216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-73154157666614920282015-03-05T09:46:10.243-07:002015-03-05T09:46:10.243-07:00I may try that new Microsoft board if my 4000 konk...I may try that new Microsoft board if my 4000 konks out. While it's not proper "mechanical" keys (they are scissor keys), they've still got to be better than the soft keys of the 4000. I wish it was bluetooth so I could use it with my tablet. Also wishing it wasn't so glossy and that the side to side rake was a little more pronounced.The Invisiblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08816261262627369350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-26796503416351878972015-03-04T20:53:29.266-07:002015-03-04T20:53:29.266-07:00BTW - I ordered one of the new microsoft sculpt er...BTW - I ordered one of the new microsoft sculpt ergonomic keyboards and after only a few days use I like it a lot -- in my opinion it would be perfect if the esc and F keys were the same size as the rest of the keys. I love how they replaced the Fn key with a switch (my 4000s all have the Fn key removed to prevent me accidentally pressing them).<br /><br />Now I've freed up a 4000 from daily use it can undergo the keypad chop!Len Trigghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04384024284871363216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-73353129336371923062015-02-12T11:57:13.227-07:002015-02-12T11:57:13.227-07:00Right on, Len. Thanks for the "archive of th...Right on, Len. Thanks for the "archive of the internets" link. By the way, I'm still using my modded MS4000 five years later. As mentioned, the right arrow key is a bit difficult to press down (you really have to press it hard), but everything else is golden. FWIW, I've also started using a two tier system. My keyboard is on a drawer that slides out from under my monitor, and my track ball, shuttle pro2, and other control devices are on a table surface directly below the keyboard (instead of out to the side of the keyboard).The Invisiblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08816261262627369350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-87231952323746998242015-02-12T08:51:32.864-07:002015-02-12T08:51:32.864-07:00Here's my solution. as long as your mouse isn&...Here's my solution. as long as your mouse isn't heavy this works. and having a stiff mouse pad helps as well. <br /><br />https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32960689/IMG_2077.JPGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-11091294650385033802015-02-12T00:06:23.010-07:002015-02-12T00:06:23.010-07:00Looks like a fun mod, I'm going to give it a c...Looks like a fun mod, I'm going to give it a crack. BTW, you can still see an archived version of the "how to" page at the internet archive:<br /><br />http://web.archive.org/web/20120427093322/http://tlb.org/keyboardchop.htmlLen Trigghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04384024284871363216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-16646615311310084382013-08-06T14:16:38.828-06:002013-08-06T14:16:38.828-06:00Looks like that page has disappeared. I guess I s...Looks like that page has disappeared. I guess I should update this post with the actual how to. Meanwhile, here is a generic <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wikihow.com%2FCut-the-Number-Pad-off-a-Keyboard&ei=zVgBUq7SO6H4yQH4hoAo&usg=AFQjCNEm4ynjbSQIVef2TFMe7upMIengtA&sig2=Wmop0IhHHul_vkeSKLUFhg&bvm=bv.50310824,d.aWc&cad=rja" rel="nofollow">"how to"</a> on wikihow. The Invisiblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08816261262627369350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-26338303580138750932013-08-06T12:51:31.357-06:002013-08-06T12:51:31.357-06:00I'm very interested in this, but the link didn...I'm very interested in this, but the link didn't work for me.... is it just me? ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-26579915585405259292013-03-20T18:58:40.048-06:002013-03-20T18:58:40.048-06:00Kudos on being able to train yourself to mouse wit...Kudos on being able to train yourself to mouse with the left! I wouldn't have the patience, and the precision I can accomplish with my right (and need) would take a long, long time methinks. My right arrow key on this board takes a little extra "oomph" now, so if you're undertaking this mod, pay close attention to the contacts there (it's not bad enough to justify buying and modding another board, but it is rather annoying).The Invisiblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08816261262627369350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-76595862837075897122013-03-20T10:25:38.133-06:002013-03-20T10:25:38.133-06:00My solution was to learn to use the mouse with my ...My solution was to learn to use the mouse with my left hand instead of my right. I think this actually turned out better in the long run because now I use the touch pad with my right when I'm without the keyboard and use the mouse with my left and get less wear and tear on both. I can also switch back to mousing with the right hand to the right of the numpad for a bit if necessary. But sawing off the numpad would be more fun and make this strategy even better, especially since, after years using my left hand with the mouse, my right is still a little better at it. (On a related note, I cannot switch back back and forth between dvorak to qwerty...)Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10097755415414425096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-77775222213803909092013-03-16T08:47:58.212-06:002013-03-16T08:47:58.212-06:00Thanks for this post. I have the same keyboard an...Thanks for this post. I have the same keyboard and a lot of pain in my right shoulder/trap area. I think bringing the mouse closer to the keyboard would help.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04375407173648268045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-17770656339789732212012-04-27T22:29:20.594-06:002012-04-27T22:29:20.594-06:00This combined with the evoluent mouse has saved my...This combined with the evoluent mouse has saved my body!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-29772729144208402752012-04-13T21:23:14.617-06:002012-04-13T21:23:14.617-06:00Thanks, Ron. I've actually designed several k...Thanks, Ron. I've actually designed several keyboards that would be ergonomically superior to anything I've seen, but getting someone to listen has been like trying to talk to a rock.The Invisiblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08816261262627369350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-20605943278288907592012-01-31T09:05:35.286-07:002012-01-31T09:05:35.286-07:00If your plan was to show how smart you are, it wor...If your plan was to show how smart you are, it worked. I think yours is a great idea. Have you considered contacting the manufacturer and having them produce a model with a mouse instead of a keypad?Ron Garzanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-63379975608935433422011-11-28T17:44:58.375-07:002011-11-28T17:44:58.375-07:00Hi, Katherine. You would definitely need to mod t...Hi, Katherine. You would definitely need to mod the palm lift as well, as the lift extends out to the end of the number pad. I would suggest just cutting off the end of the lift (on the right side where the number pad is removed), and then creating something of the same height for the right hand side (to keep it from wobbling).The Invisiblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08816261262627369350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-36051556037659462522011-11-28T16:19:50.578-07:002011-11-28T16:19:50.578-07:00I'm considering buying the MS 4000 keyboard an...I'm considering buying the MS 4000 keyboard and applying this mod to it, but would the palm lift still be usable with the keyboard afterwards?Katherinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-72229297411157762192011-08-14T10:08:55.717-06:002011-08-14T10:08:55.717-06:00My 4000 with no number pad is still going strong. ...My 4000 with no number pad is still going strong. I agree that the "folding under" of the number pad membrane isn't the greatest, but it's quick and easy and seems to work; I think other solutions would require soldering. The only trouble I've noticed with the whole mod is that my right arrow key sometimes takes a little more effort than it should.The Invisiblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08816261262627369350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-43452725442271445572011-08-14T01:55:29.228-06:002011-08-14T01:55:29.228-06:00Awesome! Thanks! I always wanted to try this and t...Awesome! Thanks! I always wanted to try this and then I ran into your page and now I know its possible. I have to try this. I keep breaking my 4000's with water though. They break so much easier than the older ones. But I will still try this. The folding-under part is a bit odd but i may figure something out.Mike Kimehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15384228861997041704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-90609534492067039602011-06-30T09:59:35.375-06:002011-06-30T09:59:35.375-06:00i just finished this. my keyboard is now way more ...i just finished this. my keyboard is now way more ergo friendly. awesome mod.thiago.l.oliveirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15280693979265334140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-63154741552152957302011-05-08T21:58:33.164-06:002011-05-08T21:58:33.164-06:00Sorry JD just go to a garage sale/goodwill/fleamar...Sorry JD just go to a garage sale/goodwill/fleamarket and plunk down $3.00 for anotherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954164004088523382.post-38337699688329226162010-04-25T21:31:45.117-06:002010-04-25T21:31:45.117-06:00I've done this and now my keyboard doesn't...I've done this and now my keyboard doesn't work at all. :\ Any ideas on why? Can I fix it?Jonathan-Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11282408223758612187noreply@blogger.com