Dvorak vs QWERTY Keyboards : Typing Fast & Accurate
July 1st, 2005 | Filed under Gadgets, Tips, Tools.Chances are that you would be using the the standard “QWERTY” keyboard like most users. Ever tried the dvorak keyboard?
What are QWERTY keyboards?
If you look at the top left hand corner of your keyboard, you will find the QWERTY letters.
Why Dvorak keyboards?
Dvorak keyboard is a much faster, easier, more efficient, and comfortable alternative to QWERTY . Unlike QWERTY, the Dvorak keyboard was scientifically designed for increased speed and accuracy. It’s the layout used by some of the world’s fastest typists. Barbara Blackburn, the World’s Fastest Typist uses it too.
The Dvorak keyboard layout was created by Dr. August Dvorak and William L. Dealey.
What is different in Dvorak?
the vowels are on one side of the home row and the most used consonants are on the other side. This allows for more easy alternate use of hands and typing is split equally, which means you can type faster.
The Dvorak keyboard includes the most common letters on the home row (the row of keys you touch when touch-typing) and the least-used letters are on the bottom row.
The Dvorak keyboard is easier and faster to learn than QWERTY. Switch Your Computer to Dvorak has tips will make your current keyboard work and type like a Dvorak. But once you switch to it, typing with normal keyboards may be difficult.
I had never heard of the dvorak keyboard before. But there seems to be a community with many sites built around to promote it. Now you know about it too!
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Comments
Lelia Katherine Thomas | 1/07/05 #
I’ve seen these before, and I’m convinced that they’d completely throw me. I type anywhere from 80-90wpm, and I am very used to the standard keyboard.
One thing I wonder about the Dvorak keyboard the most is whether it is all that intuitive for shortcut users. Having letters like the “i” toward the center of the keyboard seriously hinders shortcuts such as CTRL-I (for italics in things like word processors).
In terms of writing markup coding, I think it wouldn’t be all that different, considering things like the greater-than/less-than signs (can never remember the proper term for those things, haha) are in the same place, just on the opposite sides of things.
I think the key here is that Dvorak may, indeed, be a useful tool for writers and typists, but not for others, such as designers or coders or any number of other users.
And, yes, there are many communities in favor of Dvorak. Where I see this most is in my ventures into the publishing and writing realms.
Just a thought or two.
Sylvan | 5/07/05 #
The keyboard shortcut issue was a problem for me at first, but I eventually learned to type most shortcuts two-handed. Of course, this isn’t ideal, since you have to take your right hand off the mouse to do so, but I eventually adjusted. Recently I found this handy utility, which allows you to type Dvorak but reverts to QWERTY when the CTRL key is pressed. That means most of your keyboard shortcuts will stay the same, which is very useful. And if you’re on a Mac, you don’t need a utility - just use the Dvorak-QWERTY layout and you’re set.
Chris | 8/05/07 #
I ripped up my keyboard to use it its kinda cool
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