Dvorak Keyboard Users?
 

I never learned to type properly, but I'm still pretty efficient with this lame 'pecking' method, often scoring 90-100+ words per minute on some tests at my peak. I have long wanted to learn to type properly to increase this speed among other things.

Anyway, I was doing some inspired reading about the QWERTY keyboard. It turns out, this common keyboard layout is super inefficient. This layout was devised to purposely space the most commonly used keys out from one another. What kind of stupid idea was this? Well, the layout was devised when typewriters were the most advanced means of writing. Spacing the most commonly used letters close together meant the hammers would get jammed or stuck on one another. So, the QWERTY keyboard was born. It did well for avoiding these mechanical errors, but it crippled everyone in every other respect, especially when we moved to computer input. We've grown accustomed to this terrible layout probably presuming it's optimal.

I didn't know this. I knew about the Dvorak keyboard for some time, but I didn't think there was anything to it. I thought it was just hipster bullshit. "Hey, guys, look at my keyboard layout. It's different. I'm cool." but it turns out, it was designed for efficiency. All the most used keys are on the home row. The vowels are on the left side of the keyboard and most of the consonants on the right. This means improved speed, accuracy, less movement, more safety, and so on. I am thinking about switching to this layout (whether physically, virtually, or both) while I learn to type properly. So, question is:

Anyone here use a Dvorak keyboard or the layout? What has been your experience? Do you notice any improvements? How easy was it to learn?

Resist the QWERTY world order

QWERTY keyboard users are sheep!

Do you have to type for your chosen career? If you do, do you get to choose the keyboard you use? If you don't, would you be bothered or slowed down but having to switch from one typing layout to another?

Other than those things to think about the only thing I could say is whatever makes you happy and more comfortable. Optimal layouts are cool.

Also, this sounds like something the Dyson vacuum dude should advertise.

Lol?

You can "peck" 90-100 WPM?? I assume by peck you mean using all your fingers, not just the traditional 2-finger pecking method otherwise that's pretty much impossible.

trying to learn how to actually type is one thing, but using a completely different layout, that would be nearly impossible for me. i have every key's location memorized and it'd probably take me months to get used to a different layout.

No, It's not impossible. I do mean traditional 2-finger pecking.

Here are the results of tests from three different websites:

My accuracy suffers. I'll get a screen recorder sometime. Back to the original thread, I got the Dvorak home-row keys down in a day or two. It's still a little weird forgetting the location of key right under your fingers, but I notice improvement. Right off the bat, I am able to construct most of the 'meat' of sentences with the home-row keys.

I don't have any worry about switching between the two. I am going to apply traditional typing style to Dvorak and keep my lame pecking method for QWERTY. I figure the differences in typing styles will retain my muscle memories and allow me to use both keyboard layouts.

Ok fair enough.. That's pretty unbelievable and very impressive if true. I've never tried DVORAK but i've been typing with qwerty so long that it would probably be hard to switch. That's where Mavis Beacon comes in. She's very friendly and encouraging.

-Icculus

I couldn't see that much of a difference in efficiencey. I type properly, and when us proper typers type our fingers are using all the keys at the same time.

I would be more inclined to believe you got your strategem completely backwards. Your two fingered typing would most likely see improved results from a "More efficient board" since it's only those two fingers, and a better layout would lessen the amount your whole hand has to move just to get to a different key.

But using all your fingers, with a memorized layout, it's not like it's that much of an effort to hit 8-10 keys simultaneously anyways.

I suggest learning to type first. If that doesn't give you the increase you desire, then I'd try learning a different format. The problem is, everywhere you go, you'll be confronted with QWERTY. So you might learn to kick ass on your personal computer, but then you're essentially fucked elsewhere.

I tried. I really did.

But 12 years of QWERTY is really hard to just give up.

If you think 12 is bad....try 35.

About... 9 years ago now I traveled with my family through parts of Europe. On my way I stopped at nearly every internet cafe I could find (back when they existed). One thing I learned was that different countries have slightly different layouts then the US. Even though I finger type (using most of my fingers but not using traditional methods), I found that I mistyped nearly everything because I was expecting the US layout.

So while it may be more productive, you have to re-teach yourself. Also, where you work may not have a DVORAK option. And finding a laptop with a native DVORAK keyboard will probably be a bitch and a half.

Couldn't you just change the keyboard layout in windows and then switch the keys around?

If you touch-type, all you need to do is change the layout.

True. Might be better to learn with the letters in the wrong places.

I tried Dvorak years ago. I ended up stopping because I had a job where I typed a lot at work, and I couldnt add a dvorak keyboard in windows :(

edit: also, if you switch - you have to rebind EVERYTHING in games lol