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Been using Dvorak full time since 2004, very happy with it, never looked back at QWERTY. I wrote a long self-interview here: https://www.nayuki.io/page/i-type-i

by nayuki 6y ago

Been using Dvorak full time since 2004, very happy with it, never looked back at QWERTY. I wrote a long self-interview here: https://www.nayuki.io/page/i-type-in-dvorak https://www.nayuki.io/page/i-type-in-dvorak One new point that I haven't worked into the article is the fact that many keyboard shortcuts require a Right Ctrl key or else they can't be done on one hand. At the same time, many laptops on the market omit the Right Ctrl key, to my utter frustration. Manufacturers need to stop messing with keyboard layouts! Even my humble 13-inch Lenovo ThinkPad X220 from year 2012 had a pretty good layout while being compact, while newer machines keep making keyboards worse despite having the same physical dimensions.

limeblack 6y ago
Most can be done with one hand on a Mac but I do know what you mean.
1MachineElf 6y ago
The X220 keyboard is the holy grail of laptop keyboards as far as I'm concerned. In addition to what you mention, it's got a big fat Escape key that's nice for vi users. This keys has shrunk on newer and competing laptop keyboards, so I've since resorted to exchanging Caps Lock for Escape. The blatant Qwerty-centrism of Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+X, Ctrl+C, and Ctrl+V is quite annoying for many Dvorak users. In my case, I was looking to cure more than RSI, so before learning Dvorak I incidentally also learned to use a left hand mouse. Combined with Dvorak, theses shortcuts are easier. They're also doubly easier with a left-hand trackball mouse, because you can hold Ctrl down with your left thumb while you control the trackball with your left index/middle fingers, and hit Z/X/C/V, all simultaneously.
- nayuki 6y ago
  Mostly agreed. Regarding X220, I also like its decently arranged block of Delete/Home/End/PgUp/PgDn keys and dedicated volume buttons (whereas other laptop keyboards may require Function Lock or Fn). And it has a Context Menu key, which I actually use; many manufacturers (including later Lenovo) think it's superfluous and silently omit it. Regarding the QWERTY-centrism of Ctrl+ZXCV, I have absolutely no problem with their Dvorak equivalents and can touch-type these shortcuts without looking at the keyboard. But I must, must, must have a Right Ctrl key to do this effectively. Just for reference for QWERTY people out there, Dvorak ZXCV is equivalent to QWERTY Slash,B,I,Period. For example, Ctrl+C in Dvorak has the same position as Ctrl+I in QWERTY. I would put my left pinky on I and left thumb (or index finger) on Right Ctrl. And I would put my right hand on the mouse to select text or files or draw.

by nayuki 6y ago

limeblack 6y ago

Most can be done with one hand on a Mac but I do know what you mean.

1MachineElf 6y ago

The X220 keyboard is the holy grail of laptop keyboards as far as I'm concerned. In addition to what you mention, it's got a big fat Escape key that's nice for vi users. This keys has shrunk on newer and competing laptop keyboards, so I've since resorted to exchanging Caps Lock for Escape. The blatant Qwerty-centrism of Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+X, Ctrl+C, and Ctrl+V is quite annoying for many Dvorak users. In my case, I was looking to cure more than RSI, so before learning Dvorak I incidentally also learned to use a left hand mouse. Combined with Dvorak, theses shortcuts are easier. They're also doubly easier with a left-hand trackball mouse, because you can hold Ctrl down with your left thumb while you control the trackball with your left index/middle fingers, and hit Z/X/C/V, all simultaneously.

nayuki 6y ago
Mostly agreed. Regarding X220, I also like its decently arranged block of Delete/Home/End/PgUp/PgDn keys and dedicated volume buttons (whereas other laptop keyboards may require Function Lock or Fn). And it has a Context Menu key, which I actually use; many manufacturers (including later Lenovo) think it's superfluous and silently omit it. Regarding the QWERTY-centrism of Ctrl+ZXCV, I have absolutely no problem with their Dvorak equivalents and can touch-type these shortcuts without looking at the keyboard. But I must, must, must have a Right Ctrl key to do this effectively. Just for reference for QWERTY people out there, Dvorak ZXCV is equivalent to QWERTY Slash,B,I,Period. For example, Ctrl+C in Dvorak has the same position as Ctrl+I in QWERTY. I would put my left pinky on I and left thumb (or index finger) on Right Ctrl. And I would put my right hand on the mouse to select text or files or draw.