So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

[Relambrien]

And I'm currently typing in it. Holy crap, this is hard, since I already know QWERTY really well.

Anyone else tried to learn it?

Abe ydco co ,day cy nrrto nct. ,d.b frg ypf yr yfl. cb "<>PYF gocbi yd. Ekrpat nafrgyv

(And this is what it looks like when you try to type in QWERTY using the Dvorak layout)

[Xandertrax]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

Nuts, I thought you were talking about Antonin Dvorak.

[tsugomaru]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

Kjg; g; ,jak G ,sfph ;at gy G ,dod ks ktrd gl x,dokt

This is what I would say If I were to type in QWERTY.

I learned Dvorak first, but then I tried QWERTY out because you know, all the keyboards are in QWERTY, I gave up and went back to Dvorak. The interesting thing is, when I switched to QWERTY, moving back to Dvorak was also hard, but I was able to switch back. There shouldn't be a problem moving from one typing style to another, it will just take some work and effort. I can type almost 60 words per minute with QWERTY if I look at the keys.

~Tsugomaru

[Coolboyrulez0]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

What is Dvorak?

[tsugomaru]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

Look at your keyboard. Notice how there are letters on the keys. Some old keyboards have all those keys in alphabetical order, Dvorak has those key in a different order which forces you to switch back and forth between hands more often than if you were to use your keyboard, a QWERTY keyboard. The theory behind this is that you type faster when you switch back and forth so typing in Dvorak causes you to type faster.

~Tsugomaru

[GuidoHunter]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

I started to learn Dvorak, and even changed the keys on my desktop keyboard to such a layout.

It took me a couple of weeks to a month to be able to touch-type, but I still have speed problems with it. I don't practice much at all now that I'm on my laptop, though.

--Guido

http://andy.mikee385.com

[Relambrien]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

Look at your keyboard. Notice how there are letters on the keys. Some old keyboards have all those keys in alphabetical order, Dvorak has those key in a different order which forces you to switch back and forth between hands more often than if you were to use your keyboard, a QWERTY keyboard. The theory behind this is that you type faster when you switch back and forth so typing in Dvorak causes you to type faster.

~Tsugomaru

(Typing back in QWERTY since I needed to make some long posts)

Anyway, let me elaborate on this. The QWERTY format is pretty inefficient. Many letter combinations have to be hit with the same finger, which causes a decrease in overall speed. If you can move another digit to another letter only slightly after you begin to type one, you can go a lot faster. So, the Dvorak layout tried to prevent this by making common letter combinations hit by different fingers.

It also places the most common letters on the home row, so instead of ASDF-JKL; you have AOEU-HTNS or something. The least common letters are put on the hard-to-reach bottom row. Punctuation goes on the left-hand top row.

One thing I don't like about Dvorak is that it's biased towards right-handers, and tries to make the most letters hit with the right hand. That's because most people are right-handed, but I'm left-handed.

Anyway, I'm hoping to eventually be able to use it like a second language, and swap between QWERTY and Dvorak with relative ease. Maybe only taking a half hour or so to switch back to the other style, once I've used both enough. But of course, this is many years down the line.

I'm probably going to switch my desktop to Dvorak permanently if I can ever get around to rearranging my keys, since I can't find Dvorak keyboards anywhere. That way I can see what keys I'm hitting as I learn to touch-type. Then once I figure out touch-typing, it'll be irrelevant anyway.

[Aleste]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

lol maybe i'm not putting much effort or thought behind this.. but how exactly would you go about switching the keys on the keyboard? i mean... just because i put the D where the Q is doesn't mean that it'll change the input. AHK?

[ryanisadouche]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

QWERTY is MEANT to slow you down, it was originally created to prevent typewriters from jamming, from high speed typing.

I tried switching over once, using only dvorak for quite some time. I found myself in a limbo where i was **** at both dvarok and qwerty.

ONLY FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THIS SWITCH IF YOU'RE SURE YOU WANT TO PERMENENTLY USE IT, it's hard to juggle back and forth between the two.



edit at Aleste: in accessibility options you should be able to switch the language to dvorak, you could go as far as switching the actual keys after if you want too. but be warned, it's near impossible to retain knowledge of both.

[Relambrien]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

Start > Control Panel > Switch to classic view > Regional and Language Settings > Languages tab > Details. There's a box in there where you can change it, and it'll register regardless of what labeled key is actually on that spot. XP comes with Dvorak support built-in.

[Aleste]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

Found it. lol @ "switch to classic view"

you know, i may actually take the time to learn this. Never even knew it existed :O

[tsugomaru]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

The most painful part of the transition will be when you are neither good with Dvorak and QWERTY, this was when I gave up and switched back. Besides, I have experience typing in QWERTY by just using public computers.

~Tsugomaru

[T3hDDRKid]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

I always know about Dvorak, but never seriously considered using it. I think I'll try it for a month and see if I can improve my typing speed at all.

[Ozie-Saf]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

I already knew about Qwerty and Azerty, but Dvorak ?? Can you find it in any country?

[f lee]

Re: So, I'm trying to learn Dvorak

I've started learning, but never finished because I'm too lazy. I only know the keys in the top and middle row.