[sllug-members]: Switching keyboard layouts (Dvorak)

[Chad]

On Dec 18, 2007 12:01 PM, Jason Porter <Jason.Porter at octanner.com> wrote:
> >
> > How do you deal with using other's keyboards?  When you help someone
> > on their computer, setup a new system, or troubleshoot problems; it's
> > unlikely you'll find your keyboard layout being used on their system.
> > Is it difficult to "float" back and forth from Dvorak to Qwerty?  Do
> > you just pop your keys off your Qwerty keyboard and rearrange them for
> > a Dvorak layout or is it better to purchase a Dvorak-intended
> > keyboard?
>
> Like the other replies to this message, I just leave the keyboard alone.
> I can switch between QWERTY and Dvorak, but I still have to look (most
> of the time) at my fingers when I do QWERTY.  I am slower, but most of
> the time it's not an issue.  I'm a programmer and already type faster
> than most of my co-workers :)  Also switching over to Dvorak does make a
> few things harder such as gaming or using editors that rely on key
> commands (such as Vi, Emacs, etc), and of course the location of your
> typical shortcuts like copy, paste, etc. are all in different locations.
>
> I recommend learning how to touch type Dvorak and don't mess with the
> keys.  Also if you try to switch the keys they are not all (on some
> keyboards) the same size and angle which can mess things up.  Just stick
> with a normal QWERTY keyboard and learn to touch type.
>
> > Are there Bluetooth Dvorak keyboards?  Ergonomic Dvorak keyboards?
> > Bluetooth and Ergonomic Dvorak keyboards?
>
> I've thought about getting one of these (if for no other reason to watch
> the co-workers stare and never ever touch my box.)  Of course for those
> that are security paranoid, if you keep a standard QWERTY board and just
> use Dvorak it makes it a little harder for someone to watch what you are
> typing and recreate the exact letters :)
>
> If you do decide to make the switch, do it cold turkey.  Print out a
> Dvorak layout and use that for a reference until you can touch type.
> The more often you switch between the two layouts when you are learning
> the slower the process will go.  IIRC it took about a month of solid use
> for me to be completely comfortable with Dvorak.
>
> Best of luck to you!

Thank you all for your replies!  I might give it a go, but as I
started to think about it more and looked around at my "goods" I see
things like my smart phone that has a qwerty keyboard that would make
it that much harder for me.  I still might give it a go though.

Thanks for all the advise and information!

-Chad