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- G15 Keyboard Sample Macro Configuration
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- logitech g15 keyboard
Although the Logitech g11/g15 keyboard was designed for gamers, we found huge potential for people who use the computer a lot for document editing and web browsing. The key is on the left hand side with 18 additional buttons that are completely programmable. By mapping the keys to common keystrokes you can greatly reduce how many keys you hit. This will not only help you work faster, but reduce how many keystrokes you make overall.
Lets start with the keys. The pressure needed to push a key down on this guy is rated at 50 KOF (grams of force). Most keyboards range between 40-120 KOF which means that the g11/g15 registers a keypress very lightly which is very good for you hands. Why does this matter? The grams of force per key push is very little, but accumulated over time, the difference of how hard your finger has to work to press the key can have a huge affect on your hands’ overall fatigue.
About the layout.. The g11/g15 does not have what we stereotypically consider an ergonomic layout. It’s just a high quality traditional keyboard with extra macro keys. Some people (in particular those with wrist pain) need a slanted/natural keyboard layout, and if that’s you, then perhaps this keyboard isn’t for you. If the pain is in your fingers from making too many keystrokes, then this keyboard presents a way to continue your normal work uninterrupted, and simply automate things to minimize it.
A typical use case and how you might set up your macros. Lets say your day primarily consists of document editing and surfing the internet. If you look at the image above, you’ll see how I mapped my macro’s out.
g1-g6 correspond to ctrl-1 through ctrl-6. This is for switching tabs in firefox. Now you have single buttons to switch b/t the first 6 tabs of firefox without using the mouse.
g9 is a shortcut for save (ctr-s)
g12 is a shortcut for refresh (refresh the page in firefox ctr-r)
g13 is a shortcut for copy (ctr-c)
g14 is a shortcut for cut (ctr-x)
g15 is a shortcut for paste (ctr-v)
g16 is a shortcut for undo (ctr-z)
g17 is a shortcut for select all (ctr-a)
g18 is a shortcut for alt-tab (to switch between applications)
Every time you can cut 2 keystrokes down to one, you’re making progress. There’s infinite variations on how you could map your keys.. This is just an example of how I have mine set up. The bottom line is that setting up macros will make you faster, reduce # of key presses, and reduce mouse movement, all of which are good for your hands. One of my favorite work flows is to use this keyboard for the macros, but set it up as a DVORAK keyboard.
Have you created any good key mappings on your g11/g15? Post below:
