The Dvorak Simplified Keyboard layout.
by Heath Gordon
The Dvorak keyboard is a keyboard layout that will save you time and prevent repetitive stress related injuries. I’ll help you get started, but first, a history lesson:
The QWERTY Keyboard was specifically designed for the typewriter, eliminating jams, but limiting the typing speed. In 1932, realizing there were far more efficient typing methods, August Dvorak made a keyboard that took into account letter frequency and the physiology of the human hand. Although it is not widely used, it comes standard as a keyboard setting on Linux and all Mac OS’s, and it is a piece of cake to install on any Windows machine. A few fun facts, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is a user of the Dvorak keyboard and the current world typing speed record was set using the Dvorak keyboard.
Adoption of the Dvorak keyboard brings significant increases in WPM’s. I noticed a significant increase in my typing speed after about a month and a half of typing on the Dvorak. In our line of work, when the amount of words you can output can often determine your rate, it can give you a critical edge to increase your typing speed. If you earn some income on the side doing transcription work, I don’t have to tell you how useful this can be. I also used to have a really bad habit of looking at my hands while I was typing. That problem has all but disappeared, as looking down to the keyboard is absolutely no help.
In addition to increases in speed, the Dvorak keyboard is much better for you ergonomically. The keyboard is designed so your fingers moved as little as possible; the most common keys are on the home line for example. Because of this, your hands are forced into less awkward positions. My friend in watching my hands switching between QWERTY and Dvorak noticed my hands moved significantly less with the latter. In addition, studies have shown that you are far less likely to make simple typing errors on smaller words; errors which spell check may not always catch.
So you’ve decided to make the big switch. I’m not going to lie to you, this is going to be hard and frustrating. However, after having used the keyboard for almost 2 years now, I would have it no other way. When I switched, I did it at the beginning of a 3 week break from college, so I had a good amount of free time. Quite honestly, I only practiced 20 minutes a day. So it is within reach of someone who is willing to take the time. After I finished my lessons, I would send short e-mails with the Dvorak keyboard, but for the rest of the day I used QWERTY. After 3 weeks to a month you should be back to your original proficiency, and you will only get faster.
The first step is to switch your computer to the Dvorak keyboard layout. With the Mac and Linux it’s as simple as going to your keyboard layout control panel, and making the switch. Depending on your version of Windows, it may be installed, or you may have to download it. Consult help for information on adding a new keyboard layout. Back when I used Vista, I had an icon at the bottom of my computer that I could click to quickly change my
There are a few commercially available typing tutors that have an option for the Dvorak keyboard, KP Typing Tutor and older versions of Mavis Beacon. I used an online lesson from here (http://gigliwood.com/abcd/lessons/). Every day I would do the previous day’s lesson, as well as the next one in line. Figure out your own schedule. Once you have completed the lessons, then you should spend as much time as you can typing with the Dvorak keyboard. As with anything, practice is key. You will type slowly for a while, but one day you’ll slam out a 500 word blurb, and realized that you just typed faster than you ever have in your life.
Here are some tips for success:
-Print out a map of the keyboard and post it where you will be doing your work.
-Don’t give up. In the beginning, it would take me minutes to type a sentence, and my hands were sweating profusely.
-I probably don’t have to tell you this, but find a place where you know you can be undisturbed for 20 minutes at a time.
-Practice at night time, you are more likely to remember things the closer you do them to falling asleep
If you are user of the Dvorak keyboard, go ahead and post if you have any extra tips, or give us your opinion! Enjoy!
“Heath Gordon is an aspiring freelance writing living in the DC metro area.”
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I’ve always been curious about this keyboard, having heard about it many, many years ago. I’d probably drive myself crazy learning this, however, since I’ve been typing on the QWERTY keyboard for over 30 years; fast as the wind, few mistakes and being second-nature to me by now. Still…I am intrigued. At this point, however, I’d be happy with an ergonomic keyboard.
I’m also wondering how this would effect job searching and well…employment. “Have keyboard, will travel?” It would have to be compatible with every single type of computer out there! And, trust me, there are still some really OLD computer systems in the workforce. Anyone remember WANG? I don’t believe you’d be able to convert that computer to use the Dvorak keyboard. Hmmm, something to think about.
I used to switch my keyboard to Dvorak just to keep other people off my computer at work (very effective).
@Lisa Its never too late to learn something new!
@Anysia I consider the Dvorak keyboard a security feature for my computer. It starts at the login. Its funny to let someone borrow my computer and watch their faces when they type and complete gibberish comes out.
Do you know how many years it took me to learn how to type with a modicum of speed on a QWERTY keyboard? Far too many. I’m all but a touch typist now (numbers, symbols, etc. are still challenging), it’s a little late for me to learn another layout.
I’ve switched keyboards before and have survived to the change. But it affected my productivity so hard and for such a long time, that I don’t know if I’d be willing to go through all that pain again. On the other hand, your post is pretty convincing, Heath. Now I catch myself thinking seriously about getting a Dvorak keyboard.
Not every freelance writer should make the switch. I see how it can benefit some people, but I suspect many of us can type far faster than we can write clearly. Speed isn’t everything.
I’ve been typing on a QWERTY keyboard for 30 years, there’s no way I’d switch and force myself to have to learn something else when I’m typing 80wpm on average.
I think the biggest problem for me would be the moments when I would have to use QWERTY on some other computer. I’m not sure I’m gonna switch to Dvorak.
@Ilija I switch regularly between Dvorak and QWERTY. At work I would always use the QWERTY, and it would only take me 1 mistyped word before I would go “oh yeah, different keyboard”. You still have the original QWERTY skillset.
@BJ Speed isn’t the only thing to the Dvorak. You’re much less likely to mistypes words, which are difficult to catch, especially if you are proofreading your own work. I actually switched because it is much better for your hands ergonomically.
Great post, I keep bumping into critiques of the Dvorak keyboard and putting it on my mental ‘to do’ list. Unfortunately it keeps slipping down the list of priorities – too much work to find the time..
Hmm, something to do with slow typing speed perhaps?
This time I really will give it the attention it deserves, thanks for the extra nudge!
I’ve been a Dvoraker for about 3 years now. I switched because I am in IT, on the computer 24/7 and my hands always hurt. The day I switched, the pain went away and hasnt returned. It took me about a month to memorize all the keys and I am now typing at about 150wpm compared to 90 on Querty.
The thing is, the keyboard is EASIER to learn than querty, so anyone reluctant to change because querty was hard to learn, that’s because querty IS hard to learn. Dvorak is not.
One tip above that I will have to go against, I tried switching a few times, and always printed out the little keymap to look at. Once I stopped doing that, memorized the keys by using them instead of looking at them, I was able to learn much faster. Running through a typing tutor program designed for dvorak really helps. I used the same online typing tutor, and it works great: http://gigliwood.com/abcd/lessons/
@Jesse Glad to hear from you. One reason why keeping a keymap around is that in the beginning it is hard to find the more obscure characters, and when typing in passwords it came in handy when my typing wasn’t in handy. I’m glad to hear, also, that the keyboard helped you out ergonomically.
Awesome!
That’s true, passwords were difficult at first. I focused on memorizing the keys as fast as possible and using that online tutor, it didnt take all that long so I didnt miss the map. I just remember when I had used the map previously, I wasnt memorizing the keys but rather was just cheating when I couldnt think of the key. Trial and error worked better for me.
I Type dvorak. I switched from qwerty about 4 years ago. I was a very fast typer with qwerty, and was just intrigued with the new layout of dvorak. My goal of dvorak was never to become a faster typer, but to become a more efficient, more comfortable typer. Dvorak just makes sense. I’ve also re-mapped my CAPS-lock key to become a second backspace button, so now I can fly through backspacing when I need to.
The thing with dvorak for me is that I used to type a LOT more often while I was using the QWERTY keyboard. Now that I have switched to dvorak, I am past the point in college and high-school when I was typing a whole lot more on the computer anyways. Now I just type phrases for searching, a little chatting, and not a whole lot more.
When I first learned dvorak, I did it cold-turkey. There is a simple program (called DV Assist) that switches your keyboard between dvorak and qwerty with a simple hot-key. I actually learned it very slowly and painfully, without switching back to qwerty ever. I ended up forgetting the qwerty layout!!!
Now I’m in dental school, and there is a certain program we use for our clinic that demands qwerty layout. So I was forced to re-learn qwerty. I typed qwerty at school, and dvorak at home. now I know both very well.
I believe that I am probably the same speed typist dvorak and qwerty. I am MUCH MUCH more comfortable typing dvorak. It is by far my preferred keyboard layout. I am typing it right now. The switch is worth it. For a person who works as a typist, receptionist, or very frequent typer – it will be a very difficult time to switch because you will be super slow for a few weeks. Try to learn it at home, while retaining qwerty for work. Then make the full switch, cold-turkey. It is VERY VERY worth it. The keys just are in better places, and it is much more natural.
I promise.
People with disabilities and others who use AAC (Augmented Communication Devices) often take a long time trying to type out their words. This would speed things up.Thanks for spreading the word.
I love the Dvorak keyboard and all its benefits. I had no problem doing the switch from QWERTY and it’s disheartening to see so many people unwilling to even try.