The only trouble with remapping your own keyboard is that you must manually move the actual keys. It's not that hard to do as most keys just pop off and are easily placed in their new locations.
The main problem is for touch typists, you lose the little bumps on the keys under where your index fingers should be placed. On a QWERTY keyboard, it's the "F" and the "J" keys.
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Many keyboards have "sculpted" keys -- different shapes depending on what row they're on, so they're not amenable to being moved around. At home, I have a keyboard that shows both legends, and you can get labels to stick on the keys (I saw them advertised on this very entry, in fact!) On my laptop, I don't bother anymore -- I touch type, and rarely look at the keys for any reason. -rc
I am very interested in the Dvorak layout, but I am curious about two things: 1) did you teach yourself or did you have some practice guides to help you gain familiarity with the layout? 2) How do you handle it if someone who doesn't know the Dvorak layout needs to work on your computer (for repairs or something), do you switch it back to the Qwerty layout?
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1) Yes, but it's a dumb way to do it since it's slow and frustrating. I was stuck doing it that way since there were no good Dvorak typing tutorials when I switched (while in college). These days there's a great tutorial which, very importantly, was developed specifically for the Dvorak layout: see Keytime.com. It's what I was use if I were starting from scratch.
2) It is VERY rare I let anyone touch my computer. Even my wife knows better. But If I really have to, switching it back to Qwerty is a cinch. My Dvorak keyboard site has info on switching computers. -rc
I have been interested in the Dvorak layout for awhile now. The only thing holding me back is that I don't have a computer terminal at work that only I use, so I'd have to keep switching back and forth from QWERTY to Dvorak all the time.
*sigh*
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It's not that bad, really: it's kind of like being able to switch between the touch-tone pad on your phone and a calculator (they're VERY different!) So it can be done if you want, but there is a PITA factor.... -rc
Secret Identity - Comments
The only trouble with remapping your own keyboard is that you must manually move the actual keys. It's not that hard to do as most keys just pop off and are easily placed in their new locations.
The main problem is for touch typists, you lose the little bumps on the keys under where your index fingers should be placed. On a QWERTY keyboard, it's the "F" and the "J" keys.
---
Many keyboards have "sculpted" keys -- different shapes depending on what row they're on, so they're not amenable to being moved around. At home, I have a keyboard that shows both legends, and you can get labels to stick on the keys (I saw them advertised on this very entry, in fact!) On my laptop, I don't bother anymore -- I touch type, and rarely look at the keys for any reason. -rc
Posted by: Chuck | December 5, 2006 10:13 AM
I am very interested in the Dvorak layout, but I am curious about two things: 1) did you teach yourself or did you have some practice guides to help you gain familiarity with the layout? 2) How do you handle it if someone who doesn't know the Dvorak layout needs to work on your computer (for repairs or something), do you switch it back to the Qwerty layout?
---
1) Yes, but it's a dumb way to do it since it's slow and frustrating. I was stuck doing it that way since there were no good Dvorak typing tutorials when I switched (while in college). These days there's a great tutorial which, very importantly, was developed specifically for the Dvorak layout: see Keytime.com. It's what I was use if I were starting from scratch.
2) It is VERY rare I let anyone touch my computer. Even my wife knows better. But If I really have to, switching it back to Qwerty is a cinch. My Dvorak keyboard site has info on switching computers. -rc
Posted by: Robin | December 5, 2006 11:05 AM
I have been interested in the Dvorak layout for awhile now. The only thing holding me back is that I don't have a computer terminal at work that only I use, so I'd have to keep switching back and forth from QWERTY to Dvorak all the time.
*sigh*
---
It's not that bad, really: it's kind of like being able to switch between the touch-tone pad on your phone and a calculator (they're VERY different!) So it can be done if you want, but there is a PITA factor.... -rc
Posted by: Nancy | December 5, 2006 6:33 PM
Read the article that everyone's commenting on, or post a comment about it.