Dvorak Simplified Keyboard

TrixiBuG · 27 May 2014 at 13:45

So my Dev Lead at work is going to trial using a Dvorak keyboard layout instead of the standard QWERTY keyboard

After having a look online you cant seem to by any which have this key set up as standard, so he is going to mod a normal keyboard and give it a go. They have just managed to pull off all the keys and the muck and rubbish under there was grim :eek:

Personally, its taken me nearly 18 years to type without looking at the keys (much lol) so changing the layout now would screw me up big time

I thought I would ask and see if anyone on GD use this keyboard layout and do you find that it is better than QWERTY? Also, is there anywhere that sells them?

Neodite · 27 May 2014 at 13:46

I would HATE that.

What is he reason behind it for wanting to change? =\

Gilly · 27 May 2014 at 13:48

IIRC we only have QWERTY to slow us down, typists were too quick for their equipment.

jack.mitchell · 27 May 2014 at 13:50

I would like to give dvorak a go one day, but I haven't had the motivation spur just yet! I've bought stickers to go over a normal keyboard, rather than re-arrange keys; easier all round.

If you want a pre-made dvorak, you can buy them. They would probably been seen as a competitor so if you search google for "Matias Dvorak Keyboard" you will find a website which sells lots of keyboards, including this one.

valkynaz · 27 May 2014 at 13:54

Gilly said:
IIRC we only have QWERTY to slow us down, typists were too quick for their equipment.

I think it was actually to speed typists up. IIRC it was something to do with the layout of the QWERTY keyboard allowed for the least collisions between typebars as the most commonly used letters were further apart. Although this problem only occurred early in the typewriters history as there was no standard layout.

TrixiBuG · 27 May 2014 at 13:54

Neodite said:
I would HATE that.

What is he reason behind it for wanting to change? =\

Apparently its a more efficient layout and looking at the wiki link (in OP) the layout provides less errors, faster typing speed and reduced finger motion *shrugs*

D.P. · 27 May 2014 at 13:55

Gilly said:
IIRC we only have QWERTY to slow us down, typists were too quick for their equipment.

This, current keyboards are designed so key arms on a type-writter don't collide when typing common words.

Dvorak layout is designed for fast typing.

D.P. · 27 May 2014 at 13:57

valkynaz said:
I think it was actually to speed typists up. IIRC it was something to do with the layout of the QWERTY keyboard allowed for the least collisions between typebars as the most commonly used letters were further apart. Although this problem only occurred early in the typewriters history as there was no standard layout.

The net result was it was uch slower typing though because it effectively separted natural letter groupings more than necessary.

OhEsEcks · 27 May 2014 at 13:59

TrixiBuG said:
After having a look online you cant seem to by any which have this key set up as standard

Matias do one which I came across while looking for a mac keyboard. It's not mechanical though I don't think. And Code Keyboards do a mechanical version that has DIP switches that let you quickly change the layout from QWERTY, Colemak or Dvorak, but it's pretty expensive an would need shipped from the US.

Rich1988 · 27 May 2014 at 14:14

I used to use Dvorak layout and did indeed find it faster than standard QWERTY and was able to touch type with it. but stopped using it after I got a laptop keyboard which I couldn't move the keys from and began using a shared PC at work.

GiraffePencils · 27 May 2014 at 14:53

I use Dvorak,
the ducky premier sold by Ocuk supports it out the box with a dip switch
But I found it much easier leaving the keys where they are, lets you learn properly without looking as there's nothing useful to look at

Kosmiche · 27 May 2014 at 15:05

Why is it called Dvorak shouldn't it be called Pyfgrcl?

GiraffePencils · 27 May 2014 at 15:08

Eames said:
Why is it called Dvorak shouldn't it be called Pyfgrcl?

Named after the man who made it

And why "Pyfgrcl?"
Why not "',.pyf"?

Judgeneo · 27 May 2014 at 15:12

When I looked into this, I found that most of the reports claiming Dvorak was faster were sponsored by Dvorak himself, and that independant reports such as the one by the US navy found that there was no difference in speed for experienced typists.

Cosimo · 27 May 2014 at 15:13

Not see one like that before. Using it would do my head in.

dowie · 27 May 2014 at 15:13

Gilly said:
IIRC we only have QWERTY to slow us down, typists were too quick for their equipment.

not true - the intention was to prevent collisions with the placement of the letters not to slow down typists

The idea that the Dvorak keyboard is better isn't all that well supported

Mint_Sauce · 27 May 2014 at 15:14

I think Filco might do a Dvorak keyboard.

GiraffePencils · 27 May 2014 at 15:14

If you're a good typer, there's no 'fastest' layout, it's mainly strain and finger movement, I find dvorak easier and find my hands stretch less

OhEsEcks · 27 May 2014 at 15:16

Judgeneo said:
When I looked into this, I found that most of the reports claiming Dvorak was faster were sponsored by Dvorak himself, and that independant reports such as the one by the US navy found that there was no difference in speed for experienced typists.

http://rcranger.mysite.syr.edu/famhist/blackburn.htm

dirtychinchilla · 27 May 2014 at 15:25

Yeah, I'm not sure that this keyboard would actually be any better because you are largely limited by the fact that your brain cannot process language with a keyboard quickly enough, so changing the layout of the keyboard would have no distinct advantage.