Comments on: Why Every Freelance Writer Should Switch to the Dvorak Keyboard

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 03:39:07 +0000

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.

By: Mary E. Ulrich

Mary E. Ulrich — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:14:43 +0000

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.

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:27:46 +0000

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.

By: Jesse

Jesse — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:25:31 +0000

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.

By: Heath

Heath — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:58:16 +0000

@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!

By: Jesse

Jesse — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:48:42 +0000

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/

By: Imogen

Imogen — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:53:58 +0000

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!

By: Heath Gordon

Heath Gordon — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:21:32 +0000

@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.

By: Ilija Brajkovic

Ilija Brajkovic — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:05:08 +0000

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.

By: Anne G.

Anne G. — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:51:47 +0000

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.

By: B.J. Smith

B.J. Smith — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:25:15 +0000

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.

By: Tania Mara

Tania Mara — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:51:12 +0000

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.

By: Phil

Phil — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:59:08 +0000

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.

By: Heath Gordon

Heath Gordon — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:14:27 +0000

@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.

By: Anysia (Booklorn on Twitter)

Anysia (Booklorn on Twitter) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:55:11 +0000

I used to switch my keyboard to Dvorak just to keep other people off my computer at work (very effective).

By: Lisa (lablady)

Lisa (lablady) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:30:42 +0000

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.