I Switched to Dvorak (the chronicles of a layout change)

[Boink]

An an experiment, I decided to take the plunge by changing my keyboard layout to test if (once you get used to it) Dvorak is really faster than QWERTY.

I've been using this layout for all of 20 minutes now and my first impressions are rather mixed.

I can honestly see how this layout can be faster: my fingers rarely leave the home row for more than one letter at a time and almost never stretch to reach further off keys. That said, I was reduced to "hunt and peck" for a while and I need to look almost constantly at the keyboard to ensure I don't mistype. Breaking muscle memory is hard! I'll post my typing test scores at the end of the day for both layouts.

 

Do any of you use Dvorak? When did you make the switch? How long did it take to adjust?

 

 

[ZetZet]

The problem with switching to dvorak is you have to know both because when you leave your house every other device uses qwerty.

[Wauthar]

Did you just swap the keys on your keyboard or got a new one altogether? I just recently heard about Dvorak and while I think it is interesting, I don't think I will switch to it any time soon (if at all)

[EpIcPoNaGe]

The concept of switching to dvorak reminds me of this video by smartereveryday: 

 

[Jade]

Unless you memorize both, which I simply can't/couldn't do with DVORAK, you're in a world of hurt, since at home it'll be dvorak, everywhere else you might use a keyboard is qwerty. Don't wanna lose the 100+ WPM speed I have on QWERTY.

[Boink]

Did you just swap the keys on your keyboard or got a new one altogether? I just recently heard about Dvorak and while I think it is interesting, I don't think I will switch to it any time soon (if at all)

 

I just switched the keys

Unless you memorize both, which I simply can't/couldn't do with DVORAK, you're in a world of hurt, since at home it'll be dvorak, everywhere else you might use a keyboard is qwerty. Don't wanna lose the 100+ WPM speed I have on QWERTY.

I plan on using both: QWERTY on my desktop and Dvorak on my laptop. Plus my typing speed on QWERTY is pretty slow anyway.

[doits]

I played typing games when I was younger with my hands covered, nothing ups WPM like practice. How did you change your layout? I've heard people talk about, but just never wanted to spend the time on fixing what is adequate.

[King Oriax]

I switched to Dvorak in my 9th grade typing class because everyone was required to take it, I already typed at 90wpm with 99 accuracy so I had fun, I got up to 120wpm with 96 accuracy, but gaming was awkward to do and I ended up switching back, It took me about 2 weeks of exclusive Dvorak with spending about 30 minutes each day just typing up writing prompts for me to get an A in that class. I wish you luck on your quest to convert!

[MrNoFro]

I know this is an old thread, but I need some help.  I want to switch to DVORAK as well, but when I change to DVORAK in windows settings, it will still be in QWERTY.  I use the Logitech G710+, and I already checked the Software it comes with.  Can any of you think of another block that could be keeping it as a QWERTY keyboard?