Testimonials … and Other Comments
The Great, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Here are a few unsolicited testimonials and comments by AlphaGrip users and others.
The Great
“Everybody that sees it is amazed and wonders where I got it! I spend a lot of time computing in random public places because I like to be outside, so there are always curious people asking me questions. My friends back in San Jose love this thing. “What? You can google, program, use 3d studio max, type, and anything else anywhere you want???” That’s something amazing to people that love information.” - Matthew C.
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“I wish your company every success, especially cause I don't ever want to ever go back to the pain and discomfort of using a keyboard and mouse again.” - Lance L.
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“It has been 2 days now and I must say I absolutely LOVE my AG-5.” - Michael B., Police Dispatcher
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“I bought my AlphaGrip about a year and two months ago, and I haven’t stopped using it ever since! … At work and at others’ computers, I now feel awkward *not* using the Grip, since the upright hand position is just so natural and intuitive to me now.” - Alexander S.
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“I've been at it for about one week now. I reach for it before I do the keyboard. I am sending this message because for the first time in my life I am writing a legible message while staring out of the window at the sky. This is the closest I have ever come to transcribing my thoughts. I think that if you get this into the hands of kids -- and I hope that you do -- this may change human history.” - Jacques W.
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“I've had an AlphaGrip about 2 months now and won't go back to a Qwerty keyboard. My office now has no desk, just sofas and chairs with the image from my laptop projected onto the wall...” - Gabriel E.
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“I'm just over half a year with my grip, and we’re INSEPARABLE. I don't even notice it anymore; the thing feels so natural in my hands. Thanks for a great product! BTW, I'm at 61 WPM.” - Hans R.
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“I found myself reaching for my alphagrip at work all last week when it wasn't there (I left it at home over the weekend). I am definitely hooked on my Alphagrip.” - Doug S.
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"Thanks for the nice improvements to your great product ... I've recommended the AlphaGrip to several friends over the last year, some of them bought it and are happy users also ... keep up the good work!" - Geert B.
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“I think the alphagrip is a tremendous achievement… It's rare that someone makes something that could really impact people's lives; few of us ever will. The alphagrip is that innovative, and I fully expect that the alphagrip or some evolution of it will be widely used in 10-20 years.” - Carl A.
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“… where my main concern is being prolific at word processing while being able to relax and not burn out, this product is perfect… I've now been 100% QWERTY-free for about five days now, and I see no reason to go back, barring a few exceptions…. All in all, my grip serves all of my needs as a college undergrad. I can write papers, chat, e-mail, and web-browse with relative ease…. Thanks … for a brilliant product.” - Alex S.
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“I thought it appropriate to wait until I could get through this using the AlphaGrip. I am still hesitant at typing but I'm getting there. I see almost unlimited potential for this. As a computer consultant (too much time traveling) I would be very happy if my laptop could disappear. Put a processor and drive in this and I'm set. Of course there is still the matter of a monitor and power, but I don't need to carry those. I'll be buying another to have at home and office. I don't like carrying any more than absolutely necessary. Great product, please keep them coming :)” - Ross H.
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The Good
“... the alphagrip has been the most helpful tool I've ever used on the PC and enjoy using both. Kudos!” - Stephen W.
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“In their quest for greater productivity and enjoyment, consumers naturally gravitate towards *posture-agnostic* computing. Each stage in the Alphagrip's evolution gets us closer to such a lifestyle. There are also a number of niche use cases, where the Alphagrip has proven indispensable.” - John S.
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“I really, really like my AlphaGrip. It is a great product. - R. S.
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“Hi Mike. I received my AlphaGrip last weekend thanks.
Using it just now and getting better at it. I think this may just be the very thing I've been looking for as I've had RSI for some time now due to the positioning of my wrists when using a qwerty keyboard. I'm a software engineer by profession which makes this all the more inconvenient. So thanks for the AlphaGrip as it looks like it may be the first credible alternative to a qwerty keyboard for people like myself.” - David S.
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“First of all, thanks for being so devoted to your customers. A month ago, I requested information and was amazed by the dedicated reply I got … I received my AG-5 on January 31st and now already "grip" this message at my usual speed. I am a fast learner even if my large hands could lay on more space. Overall, it is a great device. Thanks again for all your work….” - M-A L.
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"Thanks for making such a wonderful product; I haven't stopped 'gripping' since I got my alphagrip and I've gotten very proficient with it. I've been looking for a way to use a computer while exercising on a treadmill for years, coming up with clunky solutions involving duct tape or ineffective game pads, and the alphagrip is a superior and elegant solution to anything I've had before…. The alphagrip is the perfect solution for me and I think it is a genius solution. I am very satisfied with this clever piece of engineering and I am looking forward to future improvements. Thank you for providing it…" - Dorothy H.
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" … I really love my AlphaGrip, and can't wait until you guys have your IPO." - Matt M.
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“Overall though, this really is a great product and I'm more than satisfied. The initial learning curve wasn't bad, it's overcoming your muscle memory and learning to reach more large distances for CTRL/Win/Alt/Del :)” - Nathan M.
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“I just got the grip. Obviously I'm not adept at it yet, but I can see a path to a device that should have profound effect on humans, and you've taken the proper step first.
The problem with palms is that they have no screen size and no input device. The treo is pretty bad, and is the best out there. The solution is
1. a portable input device (the grip seems VERY good for this application),
2. a computation engine, in the input device, in a device that goes in my pocket or on my belt, or even in my backpack
3. a better display (glasses that can project a screen that is much better than anything I can buy to sit on my desk)
As I understand it, the hardest part to get right is the input device. If you succeed, the second and third steps should be comparatively easy.
This would create a wearable computer that is better in many ways than desktops.
I hope that's where you're heading, because I would love to have one.
Good luck!” - Karl W.
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“Well, I am going on my second (or is it third?) full week of using the AG and I really love it. I have grown to despise my normal keyboard.” - Doug S.
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“Got the AG5 today. Its fantastic. Learning to type was EASIER than I thought!.” - Frankie T.
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“I've received my first AG5. This tool is amazing, I am a great fan.” - Marc A.
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“i love the gizmo. i`m still really slow, but i do know where the backspace key is (laughing out loud}. i can really lounge!” - Stephen B.
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“Alphagrip is the future!” - Barry M.
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“Got mine yesterday as promised. You guys rock!” - Travis E.
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“Wow, that is really nice of you guys! We are closing on our house on April 7th and the estimated delivery date is now April 4th, it looks like you saved us both from a pain in the butt! It's hard not to sound like a bitter old man but companies just don't treat people like that anymore. I wish you guys all the best!” - Mark W.
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“I really am excited about my AlphaGrip. I work as a software developer and typing on a standard keyboard has really taken a toll on my knuckles and wrists…. Thanks again for a great product….” - Josh C.
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“I love a challenge and between the long wait and the learning, I know this will be one of my prized possessions / tools. Unusual, rare and highly functional.” - Peter L.
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“I have been using the AG5 for about a week now and really loving it ... Gripping with your company has been an excellent experience. I appreciate the honesty and integrity of your company. The AG5 has matched all my expectations.” - Mirza B.
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“I am aware that learning to type with the grip takes time. I am willing to invest time in it to eventually be able to tear myself away from the desk :D.” - Frans V.
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The Bad
"After using it this weekend for 15 hours. I have decided that I would like to send it back for a refund. I am having two problems with it. 1) I do not like the speed of the trackball. 2) My hands are too big to use it." - Trent A.
[AlphaGrip Response: 1. As of January 2008, an AlphaGrip user can speed up the trackball up to 1,000 DPI with a built-in accelerator. For AlphaGrips produced prior to 2008, we list several ways to speed up the trackball on our FAQ page. 2. We plan to make the next version of the AlphaGrip about 10% larger. One customer glued foam add-ons to the keys of his AG-5 which would help a user with larger hands. Here’s a link to his AlphaGrip Google Group post:http://groups.google.com/group/alphagrip/browse_frm/thread/9febe2502e79b1af. We are also experimenting with foam add-ons attached to each side of the AG-5.]
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"This thing's pretty cool. I look forward to giving it the practice it deserves -- for some reason I had assumed that the layout on the back matched a QWERTY keyboard's fingers. I have to say, I'm disappointed in the trackball performance. I tweaked my mouse acceleration all the way up in Windows, and it still takes a few scrolls to get the mouse across the screen. I'll let you know when I hit 50wpm." - Roland M.
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"I would like to return my AlphaGrip. I thought the typing response/feel of the AlphaGrip was good. It only felt awkward pressing the M and G keys, but that would become natural after repeated use. The layout of keys is well done, the most frequent mistake I have been making is hitting space instead of enter, but that is a muscle memory/training issue. I spend 50+ hours a week on a computer, so I was really hoping the AlphaGrip would work out for me.
However, the AlphaGrip reduces my productivity greatly due to issues #1 and #2 below. I am not giving up hope with the AlphaGrip as I'm sure there will be changes/modifications in the next year or so if feedback warrants it. Here are the 3 problems I have with the current design:
1) As a software developer, I do a lot of copy/cut/pasting on a daily basis in documentation and programming. So, using the shift key in combination with the arrow keys and page up/down or home/end is something I do a lot. This isn't feasible with the AlphaGrip’s current design.
[AlphaGrip Response: It is possible if you activate NumLock first.]
2) The mouse doesn't work well. When I tried to configure the AlphaGrip trackball in the mouse applet in control panel, it didn't allow me to set the acceleration - only the speed. It takes a long time to move the mouse pointer across the screen. The AlphaGrip’s trackball is even slower for movement than a normal trackball.
3) My fingers are too long for the current model. I know you have plans to develop larger models in the future, so this complaint won't really help you much in improving the AlphaGrip. But I thought I would give you feedback on the current design from someone who has larger than normal hands." - Brad C.
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“I find the ergonomics are completely wrong for my hands to the point that I won't even be plugging it in.” - Martin R.
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“Unfortunately I need to return my Alpha Grip. I like the concept and learning to type with it was not really that difficult. However using it aggravates an old wrist/forearm injury I sustained years ago. It is actually quite painful for me to use for any length of time.” - James B.
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The Ugly
“I really didn't notice who makes this abomination, but they are to be congragulated on building what has to be the ugliest, most nonsensicl, peace of sucker bait ever. The only thing I have ever seen that is more useless and uglier is the new Dodge Challenger!!” - runninron69
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“this thing will never be sold in large quantities. its destined to die in obscurity, disowned and forgotten, damned to hell for all eternity. torturing souls and such. seek salvation, for this is your fate.” - Matt W.
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“I want one. This thing is guaranteed to be an obscure collectors item like 50 years from now.” - rgjp
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Customer Support
“I want to commend you for your honesty in a day where most companies are out to just make a buck, regardless of whether a product can truly help someone or not. Your professional ethics and attitude of helpfulness is truly refreshing and I wish you much success…. I find it amazing that you care enough for potential customers to even possibly steer them to a competitor if your product might not be what they need. You are the kind of business owner I would not mind doing business with any time!” - Gloria W.
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“I would like to thank you for your help, and your willingness to send another unit. This is something you certainly wouldn't expect from many companies, who are more likely to hide behind a customer "service" desk. This and your honesty about the AG-5, not hiding its weaknesses, but pointing them out and providing solutions from its users, is true customer service :-) Keep it up, and thanks again!”- Tim O.
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“My first grip showed up slightly defective (bad key). However, the replacement service was excellent and I like the grip enough to order a second one. Keep up the good work.” - Troy H.
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