General Question

BronxLens's avatar

Anyone using a Dvorak keyboard for daily use at home or at work?

Asked by BronxLens (1539points) June 12th, 2008
8 responses
“Great Question” (0points)

Was hoping to see it take off but old habits seem hard to break.

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Answers

ben's avatar

Yeah, I am.

I’ve been using it steadily for the past 5 years. Those first few months are hard, but then it’s no problem.

I don’t recommend it to most people, because the benefits (reduced RSI danger + minor speed increase) aren’t worth the trouble for most people. But if you’re inclined to try—then I say for for it! While you’re learning you have to not use QWERTY at all, but once you get it, switching back and forth isn’t too bad.

Skyrail's avatar

I wouldn’t mind trying one. Is it hard to obtain a cheapish one in the UK? Seeing as I’d like a reduced RSI danger lol. Although it might be hard switching back and forth with two PCs and with school.

ben's avatar

@Skyrail
You don’t need to buy a new keyboard (I’m tying this on a standard laptop). You can just change your language to Dvorak in any operating system (Mac, Windows, or Linux).

When I was first learning I cut out post-it notes to relabel the keys. But really by using Dvorak you’re forced to touch type because looking actually messes you up… it ends up working out nicely.

bluemukaki's avatar

I tried but I use far too many public qwerty keyboards and I never got the hang of it. Sometimes mac os x glitches out and switches to dvorak and I think my keyboard is broken…!

Skyrail's avatar

Ah thanks ben. I’ll have to give it a try and get a couple sticky labels ;) it should be an interesting learning experience. Can I ask however, whether you know the answer or not I don’t know but, how does it work in games? heh, I’m used to the wasd setup for moving anything. I’ll give it a try over the summer as I’ll be less likely to use public keyboards :)

ben's avatar

Yeah, games and certain things like (Copy/Paste) take some adjustment… but I haven’t had any real sticky points. Though I don’t really play video games anymore (too busy with Fluther). Most things are customizable these days… plus it’s not a problem to switch back to QWERTY if there’s a reason, I just don’t find that I need to.

Skyrail's avatar

Maybe I guess in games I can just change the keys in there so whatever replaces WASD in Dvorak. Thanks for the tips and info I wouldn’t mind trying it out :)

Skyrail's avatar

I tried it with labels on the keys and oh man my head hurts lol. I’ll try it for a week or two over summer when I have more time. Oh man. I’m out of breath.

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