I'm finally getting my act together on the whole "learning the Dvorak keyboard" thing...

[conuly]

Compared to QWERTY, that thing is easy! Learn the home row, and you can type entire sentences. Sentences that make sense. And because you're typing sentences, you can remember them more easily. I love it. It's faster to learn than QWERTY was, and I was able to look at the keys when I learned QWERTY!

Big caveat, if you know how to touchtype in QWERTY, typing in Dvorak will mess you up if the key you want is on the same row in the two systems. VERY annoying. And because Dvorak words tend to alternate between the left and the right hand, if they don't you're likely to flounder and hit the QWERTY equivilant instead. At least, I am.

Still, it's going well. I switched off to QWERTY to do my real typing. I'm not going to try really typing on Dvorak until I have at least a semi-decent typing speed (that is, 40wpm or above), so it'll probably take longer to learn than it otherwise would.

Comments

[stejcruetekie.livejournal.com]

Dvorak may or may not be easier to learn (I never tried) but don't let anyone try telling you it's any faster to type. At best, it's only about 15% faster - not enough to get most people to change.

[conuly]

It's also easier on most people's hands.

Besides, let's see...

I type at ~94 WPM. Let's make that 95 for ease of math. That'd bump me up to 110 WPM, easy. I'd say it's worth the change, especially as it's not taking me long to learn.

[conuly]

AND, if I keep my computer always set to Dvorak, I never ever will have people messing up my stuff. Even if they know my password, they won't be able to get in, because they won't be able to match the keys with the letters. Yay!

[jedirita.livejournal.com]

I've been interested in learning DVORAK, but how does it work? I mean, do you reprogram your regular QWERTY keyboard, or do you have to buy a new one? Do you have a program that's teaching you DVORAK?

Also, do you find it to be easier on your hands? I had some problems with repetitive stress syndrome last year and bought an ergonomic keyboard. That really helped.

[conuly]

If you're using windows, you should be able to switch to a Dvork keyboard in the language bar. I've got a site on my linkies that has information on this.

I *am* finding it to be easier on my hands, but I can't guarantee that you'd have the same experience.

[lakidaa.livejournal.com]

You can also buy DVORAK keyboards, if you want to. They should One could also manually move the keys, especially on some older 'boards.

[squittycat.livejournal.com]

yay, dvorak!

me = 7yrs+ dvorak user

[conuly]

I'll admit it tibi - just about the only reason I wanna learn the Dvorak keyboard is to flaunt my noncomformist status. I'm so predictable! *mocksniffles*

[stejcruetekie.livejournal.com]

Dvorak may or may not be easier to learn (I never tried) but don't let anyone try telling you it's any faster to type. At best, it's only about 15% faster - not enough to get most people to change.

[conuly]

It's also easier on most people's hands.

Besides, let's see...

I type at ~94 WPM. Let's make that 95 for ease of math. That'd bump me up to 110 WPM, easy. I'd say it's worth the change, especially as it's not taking me long to learn.

[conuly]

AND, if I keep my computer always set to Dvorak, I never ever will have people messing up my stuff. Even if they know my password, they won't be able to get in, because they won't be able to match the keys with the letters. Yay!

[jedirita.livejournal.com]

I've been interested in learning DVORAK, but how does it work? I mean, do you reprogram your regular QWERTY keyboard, or do you have to buy a new one? Do you have a program that's teaching you DVORAK?

Also, do you find it to be easier on your hands? I had some problems with repetitive stress syndrome last year and bought an ergonomic keyboard. That really helped.

[conuly]

If you're using windows, you should be able to switch to a Dvork keyboard in the language bar. I've got a site on my linkies that has information on this.

I *am* finding it to be easier on my hands, but I can't guarantee that you'd have the same experience.

[lakidaa.livejournal.com]

You can also buy DVORAK keyboards, if you want to. They should One could also manually move the keys, especially on some older 'boards.

[squittycat.livejournal.com]

yay, dvorak!

me = 7yrs+ dvorak user

[conuly]

I'll admit it tibi - just about the only reason I wanna learn the Dvorak keyboard is to flaunt my noncomformist status. I'm so predictable! *mocksniffles*