Increase your productivity by typing faster with DVORAK

I didn't see any threads about this when I searched so I decided one is needed. Most of us are used to typing on QWERTY keyboards. There is a better way! The QWERTY layout is actually very inefficient and causes you to type slower and work harder to type. You can change the settings on your computer so that it changes layout to DVORAK instead.

Dvorak is an alternative to the Qwerty layout. It's designed to cause as little hassle as possible. The most commonly typed keys are placed under the fingers and then this makes it easier to type common combination of letters and words.

In Qwerty, approximately 31% of typing is done on the home row. In Dvorak it's 70%. The Dvorak layout also has 35% more right-hand reaches, 63% more same-row reaches, 45% more alternate-hand reaches, and 37% less finger travel.

I have known about this for a long time and I think I'm finally going to do it. They say it usually only takes a few weeks to learn. Heres is a picture of where the keys will be (you dont have to buy a new keyboard to do this):

Well, if you're used QWERTY for years you have probably got used to it and are very excellent with it. If you're just starting out, sure, but I doubt it makes that much difference. At least I don't really spend that much time writing stuff. Most of the time it's thinking what to write, or doing something completely different from typing. And yet, I write really fast using QWERTY too.

If you're interested in it, sure. But I wouldn't do it for the sake of internet marketing productivity increase, because it doesn't really affect that much.

hztaa said:

Well, if you're used QWERTY for years you have probably got used to it and are very excellent with it. If you're just starting out, sure, but I doubt it makes that much difference. At least I don't really spend that much time writing stuff. Most of the time it's thinking what to write, or doing something completely different from typing. And yet, I write really fast using QWERTY too.

If you're interested in it, sure. But I wouldn't do it for the sake of internet marketing productivity increase, because it doesn't really affect that much.

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sometimes I am typing very long documents. I also have alot of pain in my fingers and arm/shoulder from being on the computer and typing/clicking so much. dvorak should help some. also typing faster (i already type fast) will be nice.

It will decrease ur productivity for months.
Certainly if you use a QWERTY keyb with a DVORAK layout since you will always have to look at the picture to find the right keys.

I have an AZERTY keyboard and I have been typing with 2 fingers for 24 years now, and I can type faster with 2 fingers then most people with 10.

Not worth it, unless you write/code A LOT.

FuManChu said:

sometimes I am typing very long documents. I also have alot of pain in my fingers and arm/shoulder from being on the computer and typing/clicking so much. dvorak should help some. also typing faster (i already type fast) will be nice.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repetitive_strain_injury

Well i must admit I also have pain in my hands and fingers from time to time.
But well, I guess all kinds of work will have physical consequences.

If you really want to do this I would advise you to buy a DVORAK keyboard to make the transition easier.

DamageX said:

Not worth it, unless you write/code A LOT.

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i do code a lot. idk it seems worth it to me.

saxgod said:

But well, I guess all kinds of work will have physical consequences.

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Which is why work is evil.

I have got used to Qwerty layout

I would not like to shift to any other format now

I am comfortable typing at good speeds with qwerty

"""""(you dont have to buy a new keyboard to do this)""""

How else do we shift then?

FuManChu said:

sometimes I am typing very long documents. I also have alot of pain in my fingers and arm/shoulder from being on the computer and typing/clicking so much. dvorak should help some. also typing faster (i already type fast) will be nice.

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That cant be helped with keyboard layout. Get a good working chair, make sure it's adjusted to correct level and that your view to monitor is good. There is a lot of information about good position when working on computer.

Good working chair, I mean something like:



The hand things, back and softness under ass is important

What comes to your keyboard and table, make sure your hands can lay on it. Do not keep your hands in air, they will start hurting. Let them rest on the table and adjust your keyboard so that you can use it anyway. As for keyboard, the best fitting for me has been Logitech Gaming Keyboard:



Yes, it's a gaming keyboard, but it's really nice for coding and writing things, as well as ergonomic.

And for your mouse hand, DO GET silicon based mousepad like:


It is absolutely essential. I used to have tons of pain in my hand before starting to use such, even before IM career (I was nerdy as teen too). Since I started using such ten years ago, I have never had such pain. And I've only needed to replace it once, so they lasted over 5 years per one. If I remember they cost something like 20-30 euro, but are so worth it!