This page shows you what Dvorak keyboard layout is, its advantages, how to switch in {Windows, Mac, Linux}, and my personal experience in using it since 1994.
In 1936, Dr August Dvorak and Dr William Dealey studied and invented the Dvorak layout, designed for efficient typing.
Here's some major features why it is much better:
Here's a comparison table:
| Row | QWERTY | Dvorak |
|---|---|---|
| Top | 52% | 22% |
| Home | 32% | 70% |
| Bottom | 16% | 8% |
So, overall, touch typing on the Dvorak keyboard is more comfortable, less error, and faster.
The keyboard layout on our keyboard is called QWERTY, because that's the letters showing on the top row. This layout was designed together with the invention of typewriter, by Christopher Latham Sholes, in 1874.
You might wonder why the letters are arrange that way, why not alphabetical? Originally, it was alphabetical. However, it was discovered that the keys would jam when people type too fast. So, the typewriter inventor re-arranged the letters, effectively slow down typing, so that typewriter wouldn't jam.
Here's how to switch your layout on Windows Vista. It should be similar for Windows 7 or Windows XP.
On Mac OS X, just go to the menu 〖Apple ▸ System Preferences…〗, then click the “International”, then the Input Menu tab. Check box the “Dvorak” there.
In linux, you can switch in the control panel, keyboard app. (exact step varies, depending on whether you are using Gnome, KDE, Xfce, etc.) 〔☛ Linux: Keyboard Layout, Keymapping, Keybinding, Tools〕
There are several websites that teach touch-typing on Dvorak. Here's a few i recommend:
I learned touch-typing on a typewriter in about 1985. For some reason, i am fascinated by typewriter. (at the time, personal computers are not around.) The first typewriter i had is a electric one from the brand name Brother.
I started to use a computer in 1990, using the QWERTY keyboard. In ≈1992, i worked for over a year at Graebel Van Lines, as a secretary with typing duties, including taking dictation from sales people or managers. (by this time it's all done on computer, the Macintosh Classic) My typing speed was about 400 keystrokes per minute (80 WPM) with about 99% accuracy, as certified on electric typewriters in temp agencies back then.
In 1993 or 1994 i switched to Dvorak. It took me about a month to re-learn touch typing, and 2 months to become somewhat fluent. It was a very frustrating experience, but i persisted.
My profession changed from secretary to programer, so i have not had any heavy typing needs as before. Due to lack of intensive typing needs, i recall that my typing speed have not reached my previous speed for many years. Though, one thing i noticed is that Dvorak is much more comfortable, with less typing errors. I recall this vividly, because occasionally i tried to type on QWERTY on other's keyboards or at library, the first thing that jumped to me was that my fingers have to do acrobatics.
When working as a unix system administrator starting in 1998, occasionally i have to type on other people's keyboards. So, i kinda picked up a bit of my totally forgotten qwerty touch-typing skill. But my speed on QWERTY is about 30 wpm, due to lack of practice. I've heard that some Dvorak users can touch type both Dvorak and QWERTY fast, but i just never needed to.
Some references and other interesting sites about typing:
Been touch typing dvorak since 1994. Sure, i remember the keys, can even hunt-n-peck on a dvorak labeled with qwerty. But it's still very nice to have labels on the keys.
You can buy “Dvorak Keyboard Stickers” amazon