Dvorak Users share their experience in switching from Qwerty

I have been aware of the Dvorak Keyboard since ninth grade and took a voluntary F in my mandatory typing class because in my Junior High School they refused to teach me how to type on a Dvorak. To answer the question was it worth it to switch in order to avoid RSI's is a question that I can not answer as I have never suffered from any. This in spite of having typed two books and blogging regularly. Why? Because after a long search I found a Smith-Corona portable electric typewriter, followed by an IBM Selectric with Dvorak. Later on when I got my first Commodore 64 I wrote a program to switch the keyboard.When Windows came out, I learned that Dvorak was built and it was relatively easy to change. I started to switch to using the operating system and has purchased the Company Hooleon labels. Finally, I bought an ergonomic keyboard with built Advantage Kenes Dvorak Qwerty together. It was stolen so now I'm using a regular keyboard switched to Dvorak, as in the first few days, until I save enough money for another Kenes.

Dvorak: Why I Use It. | johnbarborek.com

The keyboard you are likely typing on right now has a basic “QWERTY” layout, meaning, that the first 6 letters on your keyboard in order are in fact, Q, W, E, R, T, Y. Keys were arranged this way, not to make you an efficient typist, but to keep mechanical jams at a minimum on early typewriters and other printing machines.

My first 6 letters? “… the Dvorak layout uses less finger motion, increases typing rate, and reduces errors compared to the standard QWERTY keyboard. This reduction in finger distance traveled was originally purported to permit faster rates of typing, and also in later years, it was purported to reduce repetitive strain injuries including carpal tunnel syndrome.”

Here is the full layout: 3. After researching, it made sense to give it a shot.

Learning a completely new keyboard layout sounds daunting, but it only took a few weeks to get comfortable. I noticed improvement in how my wrists felt, and after some time, was able to type as quickly and error free on my new keyboard layout as I could on QWERTY, eventually becoming faster and more efficient on Dvorak. As if I had graduated from one language to another, QWERTY now feels like the older, less advanced way for my to do my typing.

Most computer operating systems support the Dvorak keyboard layout. I work in OS X where you can find the Dvorak support in System Preferences > Language & Text > Input Sources:

While this may change the letter assigned to each of your keys, it may make things a bit confusing that the letters are still arranged in a QWERTY layout. You can rearrange the keys you already have [at your own risk], but be wary of doing so on your own, especially on a notebook computer. It is often tricky to do without damaging your equipment, and in all situations, may have an affect on factory warranty or other coverage plans.

Other solutions include pre-arranged Dvorak keyboards (but are usually either over-priced or there isn’t much variety to choose from), or even better in my opinion – keyboard stickers. Many online retailers sell Dvorak keyboard layout stickers that double up the meaning of your keyboard keys, placing a different size or color letter/symbol in the corner of each key. The right sticker companies provide high quality products that wear well over time and do not fall off. Those that I have installed on freestanding keyboards have been going strong for years now, and you can’t even tell there are stickers on the keys when you touch them.

The Dvorak keyboard, the ergonomically designed typewriter keyboard now an American standard

International encyclopedia of ergonomics and human factors

Upgrading and repairing PCs

Ergonomic living, how to create a user-friendly home and office

Introduction to ergonomics