Do you use a Dvorak keyboard?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by pondlife, Sep 28, 2007.

  1. #1
    I'm interested in finding out how many DP'ers out there type using the Dvorak layout?

    Dvorak info here: http://dvzine.org/

    Being a geek and doing too many night shifts a few years ago I found out that the fasted typist ever used the 'Dvorak simplified keyboard' layout and thought I'd give it a go... after about 70 hours of retraining myself to touch type I found I could no longer touch type on a QWERTY keyboard!

    So, I know have three Ez-Reach Dvorak keyboards which make a great topic of conversation in the office.

    p.
     
    pondlife, Sep 28, 2007 IP
  2. ::Mike::

    ::Mike:: Peon

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    #2
    I have done, I found it great for speed typing :D.
    but i went back to qwerty due to more computers using it :(.
     
    ::Mike::, Sep 28, 2007 IP
  3. janneke

    janneke Well-Known Member

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    #3
    don't use it. I just have a regular keyboard here. (qwerty)
     
    janneke, Sep 28, 2007 IP
  4. pondlife

    pondlife Peon

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    #4
    Ah it's good to see that you've both heard of Dvorak layout tho - don't you think that it's ironic that the QWERTY layout was designed to slow us down?

    In our world of productivity and efficiency (not to mention health and safety) that we're still using the QWERTY?

    Also you should now that you can configure Windows to change the layout of your QWERTY to a Dvorak so you don't even have to change the physical layout... Which is OK if you don't have to look at the keys because you'll just get confused otherwise!

    Cheers, p.
     
    pondlife, Sep 28, 2007 IP
  5. Matt B

    Matt B Active Member

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    #5
    QWERTY all the way for me.
     
    Matt B, Sep 28, 2007 IP
  6. pondlife

    pondlife Peon

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    #6
    Hey Matt B,

    Thanks for your input! So what would it take to get you to convert? (I sound like a preacher now!)

    Cheers, p.
     
    pondlife, Sep 28, 2007 IP
  7. ::Mike::

    ::Mike:: Peon

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    #7
    yeah the idea was when type writers where made they where typing to fast and getting it jammed, so someone calculated out how to speed them down using the qwerty layout.

    I doubt many people would convert as most places i work do not have dvorak layouts.
     
    ::Mike::, Sep 28, 2007 IP
  8. Matt B

    Matt B Active Member

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    #8
    I've only ever used QWERTY keyboards so to be honest the thought of learning how to type all over again sounds a little daunting. Having said that though perhaps it would be a useful investment considering the benefits.

    Are DSK keyboards more expensive?
     
    Matt B, Sep 28, 2007 IP
  9. Jerlene.net

    Jerlene.net Prominent Member

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    #9
    [​IMG]

    Hell no. Qwerty here.
     
    Jerlene.net, Sep 28, 2007 IP
  10. davewashere

    davewashere Active Member

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    #10
    I wonder what keyboard John Dvorak from PC Magazine uses. Whatever it is, he should probably throw it away. I don't understand how one person can be wrong so consistently about upcoming technology.
     
    davewashere, Sep 28, 2007 IP
  11. bangalore

    bangalore Peon

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    #11
    Never used it, never will.
     
    bangalore, Sep 28, 2007 IP
  12. pondlife

    pondlife Peon

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    #12
    Hi All,

    Yep, the keyboards can be a little expensive compared to a QWERTY one but you don't actually need a fancy keyboard like mine! ...You can actually tell your operating system to map your current keys differently...

    You could then just stick new labels on your keys - very cheap!

    I once had a friend who was convinced that left-handed people were more creative so he taught himself to write with his left-hand - learning to type again is a similar exercise - it's very good for left-brain development.

    Do you sit for hours playing computer games?

    Why not use that time doing something constructive? There are some great (and free!) typing tutors out there for download :)

    Go on, give it a go ;)
     
    pondlife, Oct 2, 2007 IP
  13. dorg

    dorg Peon

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    #13
    I tried using it but switched back to QWERTY for gaming. I can't be bothered re-mapping my keys every time ;)
     
    dorg, Oct 2, 2007 IP
  14. EKSMdesign

    EKSMdesign Peon

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    #14
    The same

    im a gamer, and i need to use QWERTY layout =(
     
    EKSMdesign, Oct 2, 2007 IP
  15. Pauline

    Pauline Peon

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    #15
    Hmm.. I use QWERTY. But I'm interested; how is the Dvorak keyboard supposed to be any better/faster? Can someone please explain? thanks
     
    Pauline, Oct 2, 2007 IP
  16. spidro

    spidro Well-Known Member

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    #16
    never used this before
     
    spidro, Oct 2, 2007 IP
  17. scentless

    scentless Peon

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    #17
    There's no need to buy another keyboard if you want to use dvorak, just take off the keys from the keyboard and change their places to match a dvorak... there you go..
     
    scentless, Oct 2, 2007 IP
  18. pondlife

    pondlife Peon

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    #18
    Exactly! ...and tell the operating system (Windows, Linux, MacOS) to map the same.

    :)
     
    pondlife, Oct 2, 2007 IP
  19. pondlife

    pondlife Peon

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    #19
    Hey Pauline,

    Well it works better for a few reasons.

    1. For typing the english language the QWERTY keyboard is very left-hand biased - you use your left-hand more than your right. With the Dvorak layout you have the vowels under your left-hand and your consonants under your right. This makes the balance much more even.

    2. Because of the above your fingers move 1/16th less on a Dvorak than a QWERTY. That means the average business users fingers travel over 16 miles per day on a QWERTY keyboard as apposed to less than 1 mile on a Dvorak!

    HTH,

    Cheers, p.
     
    pondlife, Oct 2, 2007 IP
  20. sama3l.

    sama3l. Banned

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    #20
    i use a Das keyboard for when i type and a Zboard for gaming... both qwerty keyboards. dont see the point of a Dvorak at all
     
    sama3l., Oct 2, 2007 IP