[funkboy]

So, how is everyone doing with Dvorak?

1. Are you still using it?
2. Have you become as fast in Dvorak as in QWERTY?
3. What happens when you sit at a computer that does not have Dvorak easily (or at all) accessible?

My answers:
1. I am using it as my primary input method for my Mac Mini and iBook at home. It is used half the time at work on my Windows computer - the lack of a Dvorak Qwerty-Command option on Windows is a big downer, though.
2. I am fast in Dvorak, but not quite what I am/was in Qwerty. Still can get to 90+ wpm in Dvorak though, so plenty fast enough. As I stated before, simply typing slower seems to help my wrists relieve stress the best.
3. I go between Qwerty and Dvorak very easily, though when I'm at home I expect Dvorak so I'm thrown off when it's not. Also, when playing games with keyboard control, I usually have to revert to Qwerty.

How's your Dvorak coming?

[tooki]

Note: the above post was originally a reply to http://forums.macnn.com/89/macnn-lounge/262591/dvorak-keyboard-layout/ .

Please do not resurrect ancient threads. Our rules prohibit bringing back threads older than 6 months.

tooki

[alligator]

Tooki - relax, this is an interesting topic. Who cares if an old thread is relevant again?

I never took the jump, it just seemed too difficult. How long before you were basically proficient?

I'm having a hard enough time going between a Mac and Windows keyboard layout - control-c vs. apple-c.

[funkboy]

I decided to learn it (while living in Minnesota!) on my internship last summer - it wasn't killer that I couldn't type 40 wpm for a little while. But really, by the end of the summer (after maybe 7 weeks) I could type fairly proficiently... 50 wpm probably. Now I'm equally proficient on both.

[tooki]

Originally Posted by alligator

Tooki - relax, this is an interesting topic. Who cares if an old thread is relevant again?

Me enforcing a rule has nothing to do with the topic, nor with my level of tension. Our rules prohibit resurrecting ancient threads. That rule was instituted for a good reason, and we expect it to be followed.

tooki

P.S. It probably escaped you that I was the original poster of the old thread, so I know how "interesting" a topic it is.

[tooki]

Originally Posted by funkboy

So, how is everyone doing with Dvorak?

1. Are you still using it?
2. Have you become as fast in Dvorak as in QWERTY?
3. What happens when you sit at a computer that does not have Dvorak easily (or at all) accessible?

1. No, I gave up. It's too hard to break the QWERTY motor memory.
2. I got to maybe 2/3 of my QWERTY speed before I gave up.
3. N/A.

tooki

[willed]

Originally Posted by funkboy

I decided to learn it (while living in Minnesota!) on my internship last summer - it wasn't killer that I couldn't type 40 wpm for a little while. But really, by the end of the summer (after maybe 7 weeks) I could type fairly proficiently... 50 wpm probably. Now I'm equally proficient on both.

So if you're equally proficient on both, what was the point?
Not getting at you here, it's just I thought that DVORAK was supposed to be much more efficient than QWERTY - or are you still improving?

[JoshuaZ]

So... did anyone actually switch all their keys around?

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

So... did anyone actually switch all their keys around?

I have a spare keyboard at work that i switched around to play with dvorak. That's actually the first sentence I typed in dvorak. I've found it's easier to have a separate sheet than move my hands for every word.

[funkboy]

Originally Posted by willed

So if you're equally proficient on both, what was the point?
Not getting at you here, it's just I thought that DVORAK was supposed to be much more efficient than QWERTY - or are you still improving?

The idea for me was to reduce strain on my wrists - and it has worked. The pain I experienced when typing qwerty exclusively has not been present with dvorak. I don't think it's the layout necessarily, but it has to do with slowing down my typing... and just doing different movements.

Avoiding carpal tunnel was the point.

[- - e r i k - -]

Again: What is the point of Dvorak if it slows you down? And please don't reiterate the QWERTY-was-designed-to-slow-typists-down myth.

[funkboy]

As I just said, it is for not hurting my fingers. There are fewer strange stretches with dvorak - it actually seems a chore when I go back to qwerty.

[Apple Pro Underwear]

I completely switched to Dvorak. My problem though is probably the same reason why PC users don't all flock to macs, it's inconvenient in the real world.


My advice to anybody that's interested: have a beer and go about your normal surfing. the less you think = the quicker you pick it up.

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by Apple Pro Underwear

I completely switched to Dvorak. My problem though is probably the same reason why PC users don't all flock to macs, it's inconvenient in the real world.

Thanks you. My room mate spent a semester in college getting into it, and then complained how he had to switch back and forth when in comp sci class.

[Peder Rice]

I tried the switch, maybe, going on two years ago. I had to switch back. My keyboard shortcuts were far too ingrained to change.

[Gossamer]

OS X has a special Dvorak/command-qwerty setting that keeps all the commands in the same places