My summer work thus far has lent itself to me learning to type on the Dvorak layout. I am not anywhere as fast as before yet, but I do see why people like it. Your hands move so much less (except when I reach for the backspace, which I have had to do a lot lately)!

I was at about 90wpm (as measured by TypingTest.com - Free Typing Test & Typing Games Online) so I am hoping to become that fast again sometime soon. I started with my keys relabeled with small pieces of post-it, but I have removed all of those and am now typing (slowly) by touch.

Anybody else switch to Dvorak? Any tips on speeding up the curve? It's frustrating sometimes to not be able to type as fast as I know I'm capable. Luckily I can just switch back to qwerty with a quick keystroke if I get too frustrated.

 

overated. QWERTY FTW:

Net Speed: 63 WPM
(words/minute) Accuracy: 99%
Gross Speed: 64 WPM
(words/minute)


ROFL.

 

I'd try it. no reason we have to be stuck in a hammer-based typewriter key layout nowadays.

perhaps you can get a program to reconfigure your keyboard to dvorak and learn that way.

 

Well, all the major OSs (Window, MacOS, and Linux) already have Dvorak support, so all you have to do is choose it in the control panel (or equivalent), which I did. I tried to rearrange the keys on my keyboard but for some reason the undersides are not all the same, so I can't. I ordered some stickers from ebay that will add the dvorak letters to the bottom right corners of all the keys.

The qwerty design was supposedly designed to slow typing down because typewriter hammers were getting jammed. It was designed long before touch-typing was ever even considered.

 

I can barely type in qwerty, id probably cry if i had to learn something else. hell i cant type without looking at my keyboard for crap's sake.

but yes, thats why it was designed, for slow minded individuals like me.

 

lmao I fail

Net Speed: 24 WPM
(words/minute)
Accuracy: 72%
Gross Speed: 33 WPM
(words/minute)
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Most of my reading/posting on this forum is done on my laptop while driving around during my workday. I can only use one hand at a time, so it is peek and poke all day.

 

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Typing this out on note pad so i can watch the dvorak layout. using fingers that i woundnt usually use. Harder then I am used to.

Just tried to go to .xafvjrm (ebay.com)


QWERTY
Net Speed: 51 WPM
(words/minute)
Accuracy: 81%
Gross Speed: 62 WPM
(words/minute)

I can type much faster with words that I am used to, but having to put alot of " and words that I have maybe typed once or twice ever slows me down -a lot-.

 

I type using a right-handed dvorak layout. It leaves my left hand free to do as it pleases. It also scares away people trying to use my computer. I mostly write code at work and don't see how Dvorak is a huge advantage for that.

Edit: There are some simple typing games that might help. I found this game where you type words falling to the bottom of the screen like tetris pieces.

 

I suspect right pinky cramps for the first few weeks. from ";" to "s" is a serious change.

 

I used Dvorak for 2 or 3 years when I was younger. I took an old keyboard and rearanged it to be like the Dvorak. I never got overly good with it because i kept having to use QWERTY at school for my programming class.

 

Have a USB keyboard that doesnt get used much, rearranged the keys, but I have a few that stick at the bottom in their new homes.

 

I don't want to relearn typing. QWERTY has served me just fine for years now.

QWERTY:
Net Speed: 60wpm
Accuracy: 98%
Gross Speed: 61 wpm

 

Net Speed: 58 WPM
(words/minute)
Accuracy: 65%
Gross Speed: 90 WPM
(words/minute)

Damn I for sure grew up in the generation that uses spell check as a crutch, type it out fast and have the computer figure out what your trying to say.

 

Net Speed: 77 WPM
(words/minute)
Accuracy: 97%
Gross Speed: 79 WPM
(words/minute)

I'm doing just fine with qwerty, thanks.

is Dvorak the layout in the same order as the alphabet? Or is it something completely different.

NM, actually did some searching, for those of you who are too lazy, this is actually fairly interesting:
Dvorak Simplified Keyboard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Net Speed: 71 WPM
(words/minute)
Accuracy: 97%
Gross Speed: 73 WPM
(words/minute)

Woot,

I had an engineer friend of mine who was always dedicated to "efficiency." Funny thing is he has been working on that style for the last 4 years and he still hasn't came upto the speed of his qwerty. Engineers need accountants, cost benifit analysis does not work in the engineers brain sometimes...

 

I do okay I guess.

Net Speed: 47 WPM
(words/minute)
Accuracy: 100%
Gross Speed: 47 WPM
(words/minute)

FWIW, the standard Arabic keyboard layout is built similarly, all of the most often used letters are on the home row.

 

I never use dvorak...but if you switch your coworker's keyboard to that lay-out you can usually see a total melt-down.

 

Net Speed: 73 WPM
(words/minute)
Accuracy: 100%
Gross Speed: 73 WPM
(words/minute)

I've tried Dvorak, it's interesting to attempt to relearn the keyboard to say the least. However, definitely not proficient enough with it to notice a difference, nor have I looked into modifying the keyboard.