Xpert Keyboard 6

• License:

  Free to try; $11.00 to buy

• Editor's Rating:

  3.0 stars

• Average User Rating:

  5.0 stars (out of 4 votes) Rate it!

• Downloads:

  5,049

• Operating Systems:

  Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98

• Additional Requirements:

  Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP

• Limitations:

  30-day trial

• Date Added:

  May 18, 2004

• Previous Versions:

  Select a version Xpert Keyboard 6.0

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Publisher's description of Xpert Keyboard

From Matrix Networks:

The Xpert Keyboard is a fast and easy alternative to the standard Qwerty keyboard (designed in 1878 to slow typing and to prevent the jamming of mechanical keys). Built for speed and ease of transition, the Xpert Keyboard enables average touch-typing speeds of 40wpm with no training. Opposite-hand keystrokes go from 50 percent on the Qwerty keyboard to 83 percent on Xpert. The admired Dvorak keyboard of 1936 scores 80 percent, but it moves 24 letters and is hard to learn.

In contrast, the Xpert Keyboard moves only two common letters, A and N, and provides a second E key (13 percent of all letters typed), making transition from Qwerty easy. Speed tests are important. Xpert is faster than it feels, and your speed can double without you noticing. Get a word count by going to 'File', then 'Properties', then 'Statistics' or try an online test at our Web site. Test on Qwerty, then test Xpert after 20 hours of use and expect a pleasant surprise.

See more CNET content tagged:

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Editor's review of Xpert Keyboard

• 3.0 stars

• "Xpert Keyboard"

• Reviewed by: CNET Staff
• Version reviewed: Xpert Keyboard 6

Essentially a language file for keyboards, Xpert Keyboard requires serious setup and learning time. After installing the software, settings in Windows need to be adjusted to activate it. Xpert Keyboard includes a good help file that covers the settings for different versions of Windows. Once the keyboard is set to use Xpert Keyboard, the mapping for various keys will be changed. The help file provides a diagram of the new key arrangement, but we would like to see some form of training utility that helps you learn the new setup. It's a particularly high hurdle to get someone who learned to type a certain way, and who has been doing it for many years, to learn a new system. The publisher of Xpert Keyboard claims the new key arrangement produces faster typing speeds, but we leave it up to the user to determine if it helps. The key arrangement has some oddities. The E key appears twice, in its old spot and in K's former spot. K takes the place of the colon key, and the colon moves to the tilde spot. Because tilde is then available only via the Symbol font, users who need to type tildes a lot won't want to use Xpert Keyboard. However, if you need to increase your typing speed and don't mind relearning how to type, Xpert Keyboard is worth a try.

User reviews

• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 4 votes
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• Showing 4 of 4 user reviewsSee all 4 user reviews
  This software version | All versions

• 5 stars

  0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

  Version: Xpert Keyboard 6

  "what a clever idea"

  on September 23, 2004

  Summary: The world is stuck with a keyboard designed to be slow. It can easily be relaced with a more efficient layout. What a clever idea. Why hsn't anyone thought of something like this before?

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• 5 stars

  0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

  Version: Xpert Keyboard 6

  "great productivity tool"

  on September 15, 2004

  Summary: The product was straightforward to install. Although initially awkward, it quickly became comfortable. My keboard speeds rose dramatically, over two weeks, from around 30 wpm to over 50. Hard to believe, but true.

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• 5 stars

  0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

  Version: Xpert Keyboard 6

  "Finally, a faster keyboard"

  on May 19, 2004

  Summary: The standard keyboard has always been an annoyance to me - it was desinged to be slow. This product addresses a real need, for a faster keyboard, that does not take forever to adapt to.

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• 5 stars

  0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

  Version: Xpert Keyboard 6

  "A must for busy typist. Saves much time"

  on May 19, 2004

  Summary: As person way over 50 I learned to use this xpert keyboard. Am typing much faster now and enjoy it.
  Good purchase for little money. Got a second keyboard and switch for the grandchildren who learned the querty board. Good stuff. Buy.

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