Dvorak Keyboard?

Wonkylegs

HI

I listened to a very interesting prog. last night on radio Four with Stephen Fry, it was all about the qwerty keyboard and it was very interesting.

they did mention that there are other keyboards out there which can help rest hands more, and in particular one called the Dvorak keyboard.

I did a search and had a look on the net and it turns out that quite a few people use it, and was wondering if anyone here has used it?

thanks
WOnky

woodbon

Hi,
I have seen the type of keyboard that is in two bits or rounded and the fingers are in a more natural position. Sort of if you hold your hands up to the keyboard, they are not stressing the joints so much. I haven't tried one, as it looked difficult to me, used to my old fashioned type and at the time I was OK, so had no need.

If you google office equipment aids or keyboard aides something like that you may get a wider number of outlets for specialised equipment. I'd play around with google, like that and see what you get. Otherwise of course you can talk to an occy therapist. Hope you find what you want! Love Sue

Wonkylegs

HI Sue,

reading back what I put I realise that I didn't explain myself very well :oops: :oops: :oops:

what is different about the other system is that the letters themselves are arranged differently on the keyboard, making some letters easier to reach, and changing the way that your fingers work. they suggest that the dvorak keyboard layout tends to alternate the use of each hand, meaning that each hand gets a rest - helping people with hand problems

I know the kind of keyboard you mean with the split sides - I am typing this using an ergonomic keyboard like that, which has the qwerty layout.

maybe I am the only one to wonder if it makes any difference how the letters are arranged

chris7

Hi Wonky

Just looked in here as I thought you were learning to play the piano! :?

That does sound interesting though. I wonder if it does make a difference? They must have trialed it on people who did find the normal keyboard difficult I would imagine, so there must be something going for it.
How did we end up with qwerty in the first place? Sorry I am asking more questions here.

As a fortunate member of this forum who does not have any problems with my hands and learned to touch type, I must say the idea of a different layout is almost too scary to imagine! :shock:

Will be interesting if anyone does have any experience of using it and found it helpful.

Chris

frogmorton

Hi Wonks

I reckon it sounds like a really good idea!

Mind as Del says it would take some etting used to. You would think it would be introduced worlwide to 'save' people's hands wouldnt you?

Having said that i do like the sound of the dragon softwear myself....

Love

Toni xx

skezier

Hi Wonky,

For me it might be too complicated to have a different lay out cus I have struggled so much with learning to use this type and well I think had I had one of those first it would be easier but from here.... I hate to think what trouble I might have :oops:

Good luck though if you go down that road and it does make more sense really but in my case the letters are always going to be a problem...... Slurps and ((( ))) Cris xx

woodbon

Hi, I think I have heard of the type of keyboard you mean. I think that the idea is brillient, my only problem would be having typed using the old qwerty keyboard, it sounds a bit frightening to have to learn a whole new system, but if you'r new to keyboard use then it may be the one to go for. I suppose it would be finding out how to try one out, for long enough to get a proper feel of it.
Love Sue

lindalegs

chris7 wrote:

Hi Wonky

How did we end up with qwerty in the first place? Sorry I am asking more questions here.

Chris

Hi Chris,

The layout of the Qwerty keyboard is that the most commonly used letters are supposed to be within easy reach. Hence the middle section and middle row are the commonest letters. That's what I was taught in secretarial college many moons ago.

Luv Legs

chris7

Thanks for the explaination Legs and Del re the QWERTY thing.

Was wondering and can see both are true. How I remember being in a room with forty of us learning to type. :shock: So noisy!!
Yes Del the keys on the old typewriters did stick sometimes when you hit the keys too fast. At least we don't have that problem on computers.

thanks again.
Chris x

livinglegend

lindalegs wrote:

The layout of the Qwerty keyboard is that the most commonly used letters are supposed to be within easy reach. Hence the middle section and middle row are the commonest letters. That's what I was taught in secretarial college many moons ago.
Luv Legs

The commonest letter in the English language is the letter E, which is not in the middle section or row. Neither are, in order of common frequency in the Concise Oxford Dictionary, the letters E, A, R, I, O, T.

Delboy got it right, as the 'qwerty' layout was designed to slow down typists who's speed of typing jammed the early key arms. Also, salesmen as a demonstration of ease of use, could type the word 'typewriter' very quickly using just the top row of keys.

Joseph 8)

lindalegs

livinglegend wrote:

The commonest letter in the English language is the letter E, which is not in the middle section or row. Neither are, in order of common frequency in the Concise Oxford Dictionary, the letters E, A, R, I, O, T.

Delboy got it right, as the 'qwerty' layout was designed to slow down typists who's speed of typing jammed the early key arms. Also, salesmen as a demonstration of ease of use, could type the word 'typewriter' very quickly using just the top row of keys.

Joseph 8)

Damn wait till I find my teacher .....she told me porkies all those years ago :shock:

chris7

Well we live and learn legs. :?

Chris x

woodbon

I thought it was the most commonly used keys thing, I'm not sure where I got that from - just one of those things, I suppose.
Love Sue

lindalegs

woodbon wrote:

I thought it was the most commonly used keys thing, I'm not sure where I got that from - just one of those things, I suppose.
Love Sue

You probably had the same teacher as me then Sue :roll:

lindalegs

chris7 wrote:

Well we live and learn legs. :?

Chris x

Yep, right there Chris - though I question the key sticking theory because the keys weren't in the same order inside the typewriter as they are on the keyboard ......but I'm saying that in a whisper so as not to upset the boys ....shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Luv anonymous XX