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Ask HN: Is it worth switching to a Dvorak keyboard?
I'm a web developer, so the majority of my typing is PHP code. I've read multiple times that a Dvorak keyboard layout is more efficient than Qwerty. Is it worth making the switch?
- wrinklz 18y agoWeb development is best practiced in the Python framework Django, on an Apple MacBook Pro with the Dvorak keyboard using the TextMate editor. Left-handed, of course. (Just kidding about Django, Rails will do as well.)
- stanley 18y agoHaha, thanks for the advice. Was the learning curve steep? (referring to Dvorak, of course).
- johnm 18y agoNaw, it's way wacko different and relatively hard to switch back to a QWERTY when you need to. Check out the Kinesis Ergo Contoured keyboard instead, http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/ http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/. While it looks daunting, it's easy to pick up and it's surprisingly easy to switch back and forth to a normal QWERTY keyboard.
- ScottWhigham 18y agoI made the switch about 6 wks ago due to oncoming CTS. It's tough to do, for sure - I type slower today, no doubt - but my wrists hurt less. If productivity is your main goal, I just don't think switching would help. Let's say that someone tells you that a Dvorak keyboard can helkp you type 5% faster. Fine - but it will take 4-6 months to get to that point and, during that adjustment period, you will have have been 5% less productive.