Anyone type using the Dvorak layout instead of the QWERTY layout?

[Descartes]

I know both, but am far more comfortable w/ QWERTY. I can type (last time I was tested) ~160wpm in QWERTY when I'm speed typing, and ~125wpm when doing normal work. Aside from the fact that my hands are starting to go numb, I find that the Dvorak layout is much more comfortable, and I've heard you can type quite a bit faster if you're proficient with it. So, my question: Anyone have any resources that can enhance my ability in typing w/ the Dvorak layout? I'd be much appreciative.

 

[xtreme2k]

dvorak was optimised for speed.
qwerty was made to slow you down, putting the most used letters on your left hand's weaker fingers, as older 'typewriter' cannot handle the speed.


However, I have never come across to a dvorak keyboard myself. No idea where to get one But what is for sure is that once you get used to the dvorak, you will type much faster than what you could with qwerty.

 

[Raspewtin]

<< I can type (last time I was tested) ~160wpm in QWERTY when I'm speed typing, and ~125wpm when doing normal work. >>



wow i do only about 100 normally.

 

[Descartes]

<< However, I have never come across to a dvorak keyboard myself >>



Under Windows, you can setup the keyboard layout to use Dvorak.

 

[guyver01]

I use Dvorak layout at work... er.. but not for me
When i leave for the night, and i don't want anyone using my computer until i come in.. i change the keyboard layout to Dvorak... then when i come in, i change it back

 

[Urinal Mint]

Setup is all fine and good, but what if you need to see where the damned keys are? I guess you could always used the tried and true method of popping each individual letter off and moving to it's Dvorak placement

 

[Descartes]

Well, I never look at my hands when I type, and if I start using Dvorak, I'll likely have to change back to QWERTY often because we have other developers that code from my desk.

So, I'll leave the physical keys in a QWERTY layout, but set Windows to use the Dvorak layout. That should be enough to upset a few people should they unauthoritatively access my box (a la guyver01).

 

[Elledan]

QWERTY wasn't made to slow you down. DVORAK isn't such a wonder-keyboard as some might make you believe. I've read the reviews of many people who tried this keyboard, and most of them returned to QWERTY after a while.

BTW I tried DVORAK myself for some time and I didn't think it was worth it. It does have some advantages over QWERTY, but it would simply take too long to adapt. I can type on a QWERTY keyboard at a constant speed of about 250 characters per minute. I doubt that I can improve that using a DVORAK keyboard.

 

[wyvrn]

Nice one, how to you setup Dvorak in windows?

NM, figured it out

 

[db]

The old mechanical typewriters with the type basket would get the key arms tangled up if you typed two letters too quickly in succession, so--as the story goes--the key layout was intentially made so that the most used letters were farthest from each other, thus decreasing the likelyhood of tangling up.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

<< The old mechanical typewriters with the type basket would get the key arms tangled up if you typed two letters too quickly in succession, so--as the story goes--the key layout was intentially made so that the most used letters were farthest from each other, thus decreasing the likelyhood of tangling up. >>



I have heard this story widely perpetuated, and have also heard that it is an old wive's tale - I honestly do not know. I do know that the world's fastest typist uses Dvorak - I am perhaps guilty of being the World's Slowest Typist, and I have no interest in learning another system.

 

[Jejunum]

i need to know; how do u set up dvorak in win 2k

also linux mandrake 8.0?

 

[vash]

<< i need to know; how do u set up dvorak in win 2k

also linux mandrake 8.0? >>

For Win2k, look at the keyboard settings and you can change it in there. The setting you probably want to change is the Input local to an English Dvorak layout.

vash

 

[CoolHand]

Even without Windows you can usually find a utility program to remap your computer. The commentators who say that QWERTY was not adopted to slow people down are correct. I've used it and it went back to QWERTY. My problem with it was that any time I sat down at a non Dvorka machine I started making systematic errors as I typed.

There used to be a Dvorak keyboard group with a mailed newsletter. I have no idea what's available today. The had a number or articlews about how it was no problem to switch back and forth. Perhaps, but I found it not so.

 

[WasabiCat]

hey for you dvorak users...
how long did it take you to learn / get used to typing in dvorak?

 

[SackOfAllTrades]

my friend used dvorak on his machine...sometimes i would forget to turn it back to qwerty which made playing HL would be a real b!tch.

 

[jamesave]

Hmm.. I wondering if the set up is dvorak.. how does the games played? Would you use the same key pad as in QWErty? or dvorak?
Not gonna waste my time to learn dvorak tho.

 

[junthin]

So from all of this, I take it QWERTY is good for lefties like me?