4 ms·

As a long time Dvorak user, I'm always baffled by people wanting visual Dvorak layouts and physically rearranging their keycaps (which is a really bad idea on m

by Taywee 3y ago

As a long time Dvorak user, I'm always baffled by people wanting visual Dvorak layouts and physically rearranging their keycaps (which is a really bad idea on many keyboards, with cap angle differing by row). Dvorak really speeds up touch typing (edit: hypothetically, or at least makes it more comfortable). If you're looking at your hands while typing, just use qwerty. Dvorak won't help you. You can use Dvorak regardless of what letters are printed on the keycaps.

cge 3y ago
For some reason, typing non-word-phrase passwords, especially unfamiliar ones, on a keyboard without being able to see the correct keycaps often seems challenging, even though I can touch type very well for text and for programming. It feels like there is some aspect of typing something that requires a character-by-character rational thought process to type that interrupts an instinctive memory of where each character is located. With that said, having Dvorak keys on my laptop would make the keyboard unusable or very difficult to use for a large number of other people, and so even if one were offered, I'd be unlikely to buy it. Even for many people who touch type well, I think having keycaps that are wrong when one does glance at them is something that takes some experience to get used to, and a Dvorak user typically has that experience, whereas a Qwerty user usually doesn't.
pr0zac 3y ago
I mean yeah, but learning a new layout is a lot easier when the keycaps match. Also if someone who only knows qwerty has to use your computer for whatever reason they can still hunt and peck vs it being completely impossible.
- rgoulter 3y ago
  > but learning a new layout is a lot easier when the keycaps match I'd suggest learning a new layout is easier on an entirely different keyboard, so as to minimize confusing the fingers' motor memory. > who only knows qwerty has to use your computer for whatever reason they can still hunt and peck vs it being completely impossible. Hunting for keys on an unfamiliar layout is impractical. In my experience, just switch the layout from Dvorak to US International, if you're using Dvorak and someone else wants to use your laptop.
- Taywee 3y ago
  Learning to touch type any layout, either when first learning to type or learning a new layout, is seriously hampered by ever looking at your hands. You should use a layout chart and navigate the keyboard by touch. There's a reason that most actual typing education uses blank keyboards or keyboard covers that hide the letter printings. If somebody who only knows qwerty uses your computer, you should switch the keymap to qwerty for them, not force them to try to navigate an unfamiliar layout. Every major OS makes it very easy to switch keymaps.
rgoulter 3y ago
> which is a really bad idea on many keyboards, with cap angle differing by row Even when keycaps have uniform profile, the 'F' and 'J' keycaps will often have bumps on them. These are the 'homing keys', so that it's easier for the fingers to return to home row.

by Taywee 3y ago

cge 3y ago

For some reason, typing non-word-phrase passwords, especially unfamiliar ones, on a keyboard without being able to see the correct keycaps often seems challenging, even though I can touch type very well for text and for programming. It feels like there is some aspect of typing something that requires a character-by-character rational thought process to type that interrupts an instinctive memory of where each character is located. With that said, having Dvorak keys on my laptop would make the keyboard unusable or very difficult to use for a large number of other people, and so even if one were offered, I'd be unlikely to buy it. Even for many people who touch type well, I think having keycaps that are wrong when one does glance at them is something that takes some experience to get used to, and a Dvorak user typically has that experience, whereas a Qwerty user usually doesn't.

pr0zac 3y ago

I mean yeah, but learning a new layout is a lot easier when the keycaps match. Also if someone who only knows qwerty has to use your computer for whatever reason they can still hunt and peck vs it being completely impossible.

rgoulter 3y ago
> but learning a new layout is a lot easier when the keycaps match I'd suggest learning a new layout is easier on an entirely different keyboard, so as to minimize confusing the fingers' motor memory. > who only knows qwerty has to use your computer for whatever reason they can still hunt and peck vs it being completely impossible. Hunting for keys on an unfamiliar layout is impractical. In my experience, just switch the layout from Dvorak to US International, if you're using Dvorak and someone else wants to use your laptop.
Taywee 3y ago
Learning to touch type any layout, either when first learning to type or learning a new layout, is seriously hampered by ever looking at your hands. You should use a layout chart and navigate the keyboard by touch. There's a reason that most actual typing education uses blank keyboards or keyboard covers that hide the letter printings. If somebody who only knows qwerty uses your computer, you should switch the keymap to qwerty for them, not force them to try to navigate an unfamiliar layout. Every major OS makes it very easy to switch keymaps.

rgoulter 3y ago

> which is a really bad idea on many keyboards, with cap angle differing by row Even when keycaps have uniform profile, the 'F' and 'J' keycaps will often have bumps on them. These are the 'homing keys', so that it's easier for the fingers to return to home row.