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Do any warriors use the Dvorak Keyboard Layout?

by paul wolfe
13 replies
Hey warriors,

I've been thinking for a LONNNNNNGGGGG time about switching to the Dvorak keyboard layout - partly to increase my typing speed as I've heard your speed can go up 50% with the Dvorak layout, and partly to alleviate RSI (I spend all day either working on the computer or playing the bass - so my right hand in particular is messed up).

Has anyone made the switch? If so, can you report on the learning curve, plus the impact it had on your speed? And also on your hands if you've noticed any difference?


TIA
#dvorak #keyboard #layout #warriors
  • Profile picture of the author paul wolfe
    Hey Alexa

    I'm really interested - i purchased a Dvorak 'skin' for my Macbook at least 18 months ago. Plus stickers for my USB keyboard too. But have never done anything with them - or committed to making the change.

    But I really need to aleviate the stress in my right hand - either switching to Dvorak, or trying something like Dragon (the voice to text software). Hence the question in case anyone can give me some pointers on Dvorak!
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    • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
      Oh and Paul, can I give you a suggestion?

      Place a rolled-up t-shirt (or rolled-up thin towel) underneath your space-bar so that your keyboard tilts away from you. I find this a much more comfortable way to type and I thought that it might alleviate some of the discomfort in your right hand...
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  • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
    Yep. I was a hunt-and-peck typist for many years before stumbling across the Dvorak layout in 2006. I put in between 20 and 40 minutes practice each day. After about 3 weeks, I could touch type the whole alphabet. I wasn't fast, but I was reasonably accurate; since then, my speed has steadily increased.

    P.S. Discovering this thread is like something from "The Twilight Zone" -- this past week, I've been daydreaming about putting together an info product that teaches Warriors how to touch-type on the Dvorak keyboard. Finally, I dismissed the idea because I didn't think anyone would be interested. Then I found this thead... :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author paul wolfe
    I think there are commercial Dvorak type programs out there - so maybe trying to create one would be hard. I don't know.

    Thanks for the input though.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      I tried a Dvorak keyboard several years ago after one of my favorite authors said they used one. Took some getting used to, but it was faster. Gave it up because it wasn't the only keyboard I had to use and going back and forth didn't work well.

      Once you get the hang of dictating as opposed to just speaking, using something like Dragon (I use the MS speech recognition in Vista) could be just what you are looking for.

      The standard QWERTY keyboard was actually designed to slow down typists using mechanical typewriters. The typist could hit the letter keys faster than the machine could swing the arm with the type on it, impact the ribbon, and get out of the way of the next stroke.
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      • Profile picture of the author VanessaB
        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        I tried a Dvorak keyboard several years ago after one of my favorite authors said they used one. Took some getting used to, but it was faster. Gave it up because it wasn't the only keyboard I had to use and going back and forth didn't work well.

        Once you get the hang of dictating as opposed to just speaking, using something like Dragon (I use the MS speech recognition in Vista) could be just what you are looking for.

        The standard QWERTY keyboard was actually designed to slow down typists using mechanical typewriters. The typist could hit the letter keys faster than the machine could swing the arm with the type on it, impact the ribbon, and get out of the way of the next stroke.
        I don't want to hijack the thread, but I would like to point out something here that applies to marketing... going back and forth between keyboards didn't work well? hmmm... perhaps someone with some JV brokering skills could bring an idea to the manufacturer (or their competition) for creating an independent USB keyboard to solve such a problem as this?

        Just a note on how to 'see' problems in a marketplace and go about finding solutions...

        Back to your regularly scheduled thread.

        -Dani
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          Originally Posted by John Henderson View Post

          I'm surprised that you guys didn't switch your other computers to Dvorak. It can be selected on pretty much any operating system... Introducing the Dvorak Keyboard -- Switch Your Computer

          And John, you're absolutely right about the Qwerty keyboard deliberately slowing people down. Jared Diamond wrote an excellent piece about this... The Curse of QWERTY | Gadgets | DISCOVER Magazine
          In my case, it wasn't an option. The other keyboards weren't mine and the owner did not want to re-train their touch typists on a new keyboard so I could be faster.

          Originally Posted by paul wolfe View Post

          John,

          Was your favourite author Holly Lisle by any chance?
          Nope, Piers Anthony. He wrote scifi/fantasy stories. Most of his early work was produced with pens and legal pads, and he later switched to a Dvorak board after being dragged into the computer age.
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          • Profile picture of the author KathyK
            Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

            Nope, Piers Anthony. He wrote scifi/fantasy stories. Most of his early work was produced with pens and legal pads, and he later switched to a Dvorak board after being dragged into the computer age.
            I think you forgot to add "kicking and screaming" after dragged.

            Oh - and quit with all that past tense. He's still alive, unlike most of my favorite older SF/fantasy writers. Have always enjoyed his work.

            Back on topic. I've been looking at Dvorak too - but have not actually tried it yet except years ago on a demo typewriter (where I did some serious hunt and peck, though a bit faster than my usual qwerty hunt and peck of that era).
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            • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
              Originally Posted by KathyK View Post

              I think you forgot to add "kicking and screaming" after dragged.

              Oh - and quit with all that past tense. He's still alive, unlike most of my favorite older SF/fantasy writers. Have always enjoyed his work.

              Back on topic. I've been looking at Dvorak too - but have not actually tried it yet except years ago on a demo typewriter (where I did some serious hunt and peck, though a bit faster than my usual qwerty hunt and peck of that era).
              Glad to hear he's still around. Apparently the rumors of his death were greatly exaggerated... :p
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  • Profile picture of the author charlesburke
    I had the same experience as John. The Dvorak keyboard is an excellent idea, but if you type on more than one keyboard, it slows you down on both.

    Cheers,
    Charles
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    • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      Gave it up because it wasn't the only keyboard I had to use and going back and forth didn't work well.
      Originally Posted by charlesburke View Post

      The Dvorak keyboard is an excellent idea, but if you type on more than one keyboard, it slows you down on both.
      I'm surprised that you guys didn't switch your other computers to Dvorak. It can be selected on pretty much any operating system... Introducing the Dvorak Keyboard -- Switch Your Computer

      And John, you're absolutely right about the Qwerty keyboard deliberately slowing people down. Jared Diamond wrote an excellent piece about this... The Curse of QWERTY | Gadgets | DISCOVER Magazine
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  • Profile picture of the author paul wolfe
    I tried a Dvorak keyboard several years ago after one of my favorite authors said they used one
    John,

    Was your favourite author Holly Lisle by any chance?
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