Dvorak keyboard … is it really faster ???

infoblog » Dvorak keyboard ??? is it really faster ???

infoblog » Dvorak keyboard ??? is it really faster ??? — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:58:31 GMT

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re: Dvorak keyboard … is it really faster ???

C. Watford — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:20:03 GMT

I've been on Dvorak since 2003 when a bunch of interns decided we'd make the switch. I'm certain that I type faster, but I couldn't say that everyone would. I can still type QWERTY at maybe 70-80% of my original speed. Funny enough the only real benefit that I can tell is:

Nobody can use your computer but you, especially if you don't relabel your keys.

Sidenote: This also means you need to learn the muscle memory for your passwords in two different keyboard formats, but it is definitely worth keeping curious people off your machine!

re: Dvorak keyboard … is it really faster ???

Jared Parsons — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:08:43 GMT

Yes it definately keeps people off of your computer.

I also don't relabel keys and I completely forgot to mention the password issue. Essentially you will eventually be forced to type your password in QWERTY so it can't be a 100% muscle memory password. You must at least know what it is :).

re: Dvorak keyboard … is it really faster ???

jtenos — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:16:28 GMT

You're braver than I was. I tried Dvorak for a couple months, and was gradually getting better at typing normally with it. But I never could get the hang of writing code (C#) with it - it just wasn't right, and I eventually just gave up.

re: Dvorak keyboard … is it really faster ???

Koush — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:00:33 GMT

I'm somewhat convinced that some of the benefits of learning Dvorak is that you have a chance to start a new and break bad typing habits... it would be interesting to see how fast you typed in QWERTY if you went back to that full time.

re: Dvorak keyboard … is it really faster ???

Jared Parsons — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:23:39 GMT

@Koush,

I think that definately plays a part.

This is a strange parallel but I someone equate it to learning how to skateboard switch (un-natural foot forward). After an initial steep curve it takes a lot less time to learn tricks. Occasionally some of my tricks are even much cleaner when using the wrong foot. Then again, I didn't ride skateboard switch full time so i didn't have a chance to truly get better switch.

I don't think I could go back to QWERTY full time though. Learning VIM again would be too painful. My boss tried it recently but I don't know how well the VIM switch went for him.

re: Dvorak keyboard … is it really faster ???

dru — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:45:00 GMT

dvorak for the win. been on it since 2005 and love it. But the biggest win for me was going from 1/2 touch and 1/2 look to 100% touch typing.

re: Dvorak keyboard … is it really faster ???

Dcawvive — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:07:45 GMT

Dvorak via a (now sadly discontinued) switchable dvortyboard. I had to wear wrist braces before i switched but have not had any trouble since. Vi and VIM are right out as you said though but since there are other editors on most systems that has not been a problem.

re: Dvorak keyboard … is it really faster ???

Francisco Castro — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:09:32 GMT

Hi,

I'm a partial dvorak user since a few months, my qwerty typing speed was about 40wpm, and I used qwerty all my life.

But now I'm writing at more than 45wpm with dvorak, but just one week ago (when I started to fully use dvorak) I was still about 30wpm, and I'm a lot more comfortable now, so it's a big change for me.

I'm sure than in a few weeks I'll gain more speed.