Comments on: Is the Dvorak keyboard layout faster than QWERTY? http://dossy.org/2006/01/is-the-dvorak-keyboard-layout-faster-than-qwerty/ Everything that comes out of Dossy, from the strange to the banal. Wed, 16 May 2012 14:29:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Ronnie http://dossy.org/2006/01/is-the-dvorak-keyboard-layout-faster-than-qwerty/comment-page-1/#comment-327361 Ronnie Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:14:47 +0000 http://dossy.org/archives/000216.html#comment-327361 Hi guys, I typed on a qwerty -- a lot -- for about a decade after finishing school, never breaking the 100wpm barrier. Then I had to have hand and wrist surgery (unrelated to typing). After the surgery, I couldn't type on a qwerty anymore without nagging, distracting pain, so I switched to dvorak. I was up to about 90wpm in two to three months, and now my regular rate of typing is as follows: Emails: about 155 wpm More formal typing: about 140 wpm Typing tests (which use random words): about 110 wpm The typing tests drastically underestimate my speed because my brain doesn't process nonsense combinations well -- in other words, I type things that make sense a lot faster than I type things that don't. So, overall, this is an increase of over 50% from my old qwerty speeds. I had the surgery on alternate hands, so I also learned to type the one-handed versions. (I sometimes use them on one hand while I drive with the other hand -- don't tell anyone. It's still safer than using a cell phone while driving!) I can type about 55-60wpm on the right-handed layout, and about 40wpm on the left-handed one. Once you've learned one of these, the other is pretty simple: they are mirror images of each other, except for the annoying fact that "s" and "r" (two very common letters) are NOT mirror-imaged. So, basically, the deal is this: If any of you all get carpal tunnel issues, then it's your own god-blessed fault for not switching to Dvorak (on which your fingers travel something like 1 inch for every 10-20 inches they'd travel on qwerty). Hi guys,
I typed on a qwerty — a lot — for about a decade after finishing school, never breaking the 100wpm barrier. Then I had to have hand and wrist surgery (unrelated to typing).
After the surgery, I couldn’t type on a qwerty anymore without nagging, distracting pain, so I switched to dvorak. I was up to about 90wpm in two to three months, and now my regular rate of typing is as follows:
Emails: about 155 wpm
More formal typing: about 140 wpm
Typing tests (which use random words): about 110 wpm
The typing tests drastically underestimate my speed because my brain doesn’t process nonsense combinations well — in other words, I type things that make sense a lot faster than I type things that don’t.

So, overall, this is an increase of over 50% from my old qwerty speeds.

I had the surgery on alternate hands, so I also learned to type the one-handed versions. (I sometimes use them on one hand while I drive with the other hand — don’t tell anyone. It’s still safer than using a cell phone while driving!)
I can type about 55-60wpm on the right-handed layout, and about 40wpm on the left-handed one. Once you’ve learned one of these, the other is pretty simple: they are mirror images of each other, except for the annoying fact that “s” and “r” (two very common letters) are NOT mirror-imaged.

So, basically, the deal is this: If any of you all get carpal tunnel issues, then it’s your own god-blessed fault for not switching to Dvorak (on which your fingers travel something like 1 inch for every 10-20 inches they’d travel on qwerty).

]]> By: John http://dossy.org/2006/01/is-the-dvorak-keyboard-layout-faster-than-qwerty/comment-page-1/#comment-327094 John Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:24:43 +0000 http://dossy.org/archives/000216.html#comment-327094 Well said Geoffrey Hughes. I think that those who disagree that Dvorak is superior are merely responding largely in part due to bias. In fact, I had that very same bias for years, even when so far as to insist that QWERTY was better than Dvorak... of course, after a few years of one of my best friends telling me to try Dvorak. I gave it a shot. After a month I had it down, but because of school and such I gave it up. Then about 3 years ago from this day, I decided I would give a shot at it again, but that not only would I give it a shot but I would practice BOTH, so I could easily type with either... and now, I can, fluently. I can alternate between QWERTY and Dvorak with no issues and type damn fast. Faster with Dvorak I must say though. I've had work place training with QWERTY too, when I was at college and the best I could get with tons of practice was something like 55-65 wpm, and that was with a fair bit of mistakes, having correct said mistakes. With Dvorak I achieve much higher speeds than this. I can type almost everything my university professors say in lectures now with Dvorak. Let go of your bias, give it an honest try, and I think most will find, it's rather advantageous to use Dvorak. It also reduces pain in wrists, which I always got with QWERTY, that I don't get with Dvorak. Well said Geoffrey Hughes. I think that those who disagree that Dvorak is superior are merely responding largely in part due to bias. In fact, I had that very same bias for years, even when so far as to insist that QWERTY was better than Dvorak… of course, after a few years of one of my best friends telling me to try Dvorak. I gave it a shot. After a month I had it down, but because of school and such I gave it up. Then about 3 years ago from this day, I decided I would give a shot at it again, but that not only would I give it a shot but I would practice BOTH, so I could easily type with either… and now, I can, fluently. I can alternate between QWERTY and Dvorak with no issues and type damn fast. Faster with Dvorak I must say though. I’ve had work place training with QWERTY too, when I was at college and the best I could get with tons of practice was something like 55-65 wpm, and that was with a fair bit of mistakes, having correct said mistakes. With Dvorak I achieve much higher speeds than this. I can type almost everything my university professors say in lectures now with Dvorak. Let go of your bias, give it an honest try, and I think most will find, it’s rather advantageous to use Dvorak. It also reduces pain in wrists, which I always got with QWERTY, that I don’t get with Dvorak.

]]> By: Jon http://dossy.org/2006/01/is-the-dvorak-keyboard-layout-faster-than-qwerty/comment-page-1/#comment-327093 Jon Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:23:41 +0000 http://dossy.org/archives/000216.html#comment-327093 Well said Geoffrey Hughes. I think that those who disagree that Dvorak is superior are merely responding largely in part due to bias. In fact, I had that very same bias for years, even when so far as to insist that QWERTY was better than Dvorak... of course, after a few years of one of my best friends telling me to try Dvorak. I gave it a shot. After a month I had it down, but because of school and such I gave it up. Then about 3 years ago from this day, I decided I would give a shot at it again, but that not only would I give it a shot but I would practice BOTH, so I could easily type with either... and now, I can, fluently. I can alternate between QWERTY and Dvorak with no issues and type damn fast. Faster with Dvorak I must say though. I've had work place training with QWERTY too, when I was at college and the best I could get with tons of practice was something like 55-65 wpm, and that was with a fair bit of mistakes, having correct said mistakes. With Dvorak I achieve much higher speeds than this. I can type almost everything my university professors say in lectures now with Dvorak. Let go of your bias, give it an honest try, and I think most will find, it's rather advantageous to use Dvorak. It also reduces pain in wrists, which I always got with QWERTY, that I don't get with Dvorak. Well said Geoffrey Hughes. I think that those who disagree that Dvorak is superior are merely responding largely in part due to bias. In fact, I had that very same bias for years, even when so far as to insist that QWERTY was better than Dvorak… of course, after a few years of one of my best friends telling me to try Dvorak. I gave it a shot. After a month I had it down, but because of school and such I gave it up. Then about 3 years ago from this day, I decided I would give a shot at it again, but that not only would I give it a shot but I would practice BOTH, so I could easily type with either… and now, I can, fluently. I can alternate between QWERTY and Dvorak with no issues and type damn fast. Faster with Dvorak I must say though. I’ve had work place training with QWERTY too, when I was at college and the best I could get with tons of practice was something like 55-65 wpm, and that was with a fair bit of mistakes, having correct said mistakes. With Dvorak I achieve much higher speeds than this. I can type almost everything my university professors say in lectures now with Dvorak. Let go of your bias, give it an honest try, and I think most will find, it’s rather advantageous to use Dvorak. It also reduces pain in wrists, which I always got with QWERTY, that I don’t get with Dvorak.

]]> By: Geoffrey Hughes http://dossy.org/2006/01/is-the-dvorak-keyboard-layout-faster-than-qwerty/comment-page-1/#comment-327092 Geoffrey Hughes Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:03:22 +0000 http://dossy.org/archives/000216.html#comment-327092 I'm sorry "Dossy", but both the original blog post and your subsequent follow ups are FULL of illogic and irrelevance. So much so that I had to write a (this) comment and just couldn't let it slide. A lot of utter nonsense. If you can't see why Dvorak is CONSIDERABLY better than Qwerty, then you Sir are holding a ridiculously heavy bias on your shoulders. A bias so big that it's restricting your view. I shan't begin to call you out on particulars as I simply don't have the time (but moreso because it's clear all opposing points of view are falling on deaf ears). I will, however, answer your question: "Is the Dvorak keyboard layout faster than Qwerty?" Yes. Indisputably. Good day. PS. I've never used Dvorak, nor has Qwerty ever beaten me up and stolen my lunch money (what I'm getting at is that I'm impartial). I’m sorry “Dossy”, but both the original blog post and your subsequent follow ups are FULL of illogic and irrelevance. So much so that I had to write a (this) comment and just couldn’t let it slide. A lot of utter nonsense.

If you can’t see why Dvorak is CONSIDERABLY better than Qwerty, then you Sir are holding a ridiculously heavy bias on your shoulders. A bias so big that it’s restricting your view. I shan’t begin to call you out on particulars as I simply don’t have the time (but moreso because it’s clear all opposing points of view are falling on deaf ears).

I will, however, answer your question: “Is the Dvorak keyboard layout faster than Qwerty?” Yes. Indisputably.

Good day.

PS. I’ve never used Dvorak, nor has Qwerty ever beaten me up and stolen my lunch money (what I’m getting at is that I’m impartial).

]]> By: john mcvirgo http://dossy.org/2006/01/is-the-dvorak-keyboard-layout-faster-than-qwerty/comment-page-1/#comment-327003 john mcvirgo Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:14:25 +0000 http://dossy.org/archives/000216.html#comment-327003 "To overcome the problem of invisible jamming, Sholes applied antiengineering principles with the goal of slowing down the typist and thus preventing the second bar from jamming the falling first bar" Well, that isn't true. He was only concerned about common pairings of letters being adjacent to one another on the keyboard. Have a look at "The Fable of the Keys" http://www.utdallas.edu/~liebowit/keys1.html. “To overcome the problem of invisible jamming, Sholes applied antiengineering principles with the goal of slowing down the typist and thus preventing the second bar from jamming the falling first bar”

Well, that isn’t true. He was only concerned about common pairings of letters being adjacent to one another on the keyboard. Have a look at “The Fable of the Keys” http://www.utdallas.edu/~liebowit/keys1.html.

]]> By: Jon Snow http://dossy.org/2006/01/is-the-dvorak-keyboard-layout-faster-than-qwerty/comment-page-1/#comment-327001 Jon Snow Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:56:03 +0000 http://dossy.org/archives/000216.html#comment-327001 http://discovermagazine.com/1997/apr/thecurseofqwerty1099/article_view?b_start:int=0&-C= Great article which explains why QWERTY is so commonly used, and tells you why it's not better than Dvorak. http://discovermagazine.com/1997/apr/thecurseofqwerty1099/article_view?b_start:int=0&-C=

Great article which explains why QWERTY is so commonly used, and tells you why it’s not better than Dvorak.

]]> By: Jon Snow http://dossy.org/2006/01/is-the-dvorak-keyboard-layout-faster-than-qwerty/comment-page-1/#comment-327000 Jon Snow Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:55:01 +0000 http://dossy.org/archives/000216.html#comment-327000 I would like to add that Barbara could type 212wpm.... yet you cite these low 140wpm and 160wpm speeds in contrast? I would like to add that Barbara could type 212wpm…. yet you cite these low 140wpm and 160wpm speeds in contrast?

]]> By: Jon Snow http://dossy.org/2006/01/is-the-dvorak-keyboard-layout-faster-than-qwerty/comment-page-1/#comment-326999 Jon Snow Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:13:42 +0000 http://dossy.org/archives/000216.html#comment-326999 Also, I wanted to add that I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome brought on by excessive typing with QWERTY... Whenever I use Dvorak I have no paid, and the inflammation in my wrists does not happen whereas my wrists become inflamed whenever I use QWERTY for any fair length of time. So Dvorak is not only faster, but more ergonomic and as such healthier in that it reduces the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. And did I mention the world record holders for fastest typing use Dvorak? I mean, if that isn't enough proof, what is? Also, I wanted to add that I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome brought on by excessive typing with QWERTY… Whenever I use Dvorak I have no paid, and the inflammation in my wrists does not happen whereas my wrists become inflamed whenever I use QWERTY for any fair length of time. So Dvorak is not only faster, but more ergonomic and as such healthier in that it reduces the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. And did I mention the world record holders for fastest typing use Dvorak? I mean, if that isn’t enough proof, what is?

]]> By: Jon Snow http://dossy.org/2006/01/is-the-dvorak-keyboard-layout-faster-than-qwerty/comment-page-1/#comment-326998 Jon Snow Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:09:12 +0000 http://dossy.org/archives/000216.html#comment-326998 Hi, I am a former user of QWERTY, used it my whole life up until about 5 or 6 years ago. Some background info, I am almost 26 years old, started using computers at age 4 or 5 and typing. In my late teens a friend told me about the Dvorak layout, I dismissed all his claims for a few years, refusing to accept that QWERTY, the standard, could have any flaws... I mean... it was the standard after all and must be the best if It's standard... I tried learning Dvorak, it was a hassle and as a teenager I didn't have the patience... but when I was around 20, I gave it a shot again, after learning about the world record holders for typing speed having used Dvorak, and my QWERTY speed really not being much more than 60wpm, after using it for a good 15 years.... so I gave it a shot... 1 month later, my typing speed had exceeded QWERTY... I would like to comment on the word WERE... I have experimented several times, and I must say, I can type Were, faster with Dvorak, why? Because you are inclined to accidentally type werew using QWERTY, whereas with Dvorak, there is an alternation, and in fact I have tested this over and over and found it is faster with Dvorak. Also, when I went to College, I was forced (about 3 years ago) to learn to type fast with Qwerty, so for 8 months I gave up Dvorak, because my college degree required it of me, as I was studying IT and we had to have a minimum typing speed which was set highish... I only ever achieved around 55wpm in those 8 months... but I can type MUCH faster with the Dvorak layout as I discovered when I got pissed off over my speed with Qwerty... now, I use Qwerty AND Dvorak, as my job and university education facility require Qwerty to be used sadly... I type all my essays and papers and such with Dvorak though and I must say it is very fast. I find that Qwerty is too Awkward and uncomfortable to use, I always found that even before Dvorak... But I get great speeds with Dvorak. Hi, I am a former user of QWERTY, used it my whole life up until about 5 or 6 years ago. Some background info, I am almost 26 years old, started using computers at age 4 or 5 and typing. In my late teens a friend told me about the Dvorak layout, I dismissed all his claims for a few years, refusing to accept that QWERTY, the standard, could have any flaws… I mean… it was the standard after all and must be the best if It’s standard… I tried learning Dvorak, it was a hassle and as a teenager I didn’t have the patience… but when I was around 20, I gave it a shot again, after learning about the world record holders for typing speed having used Dvorak, and my QWERTY speed really not being much more than 60wpm, after using it for a good 15 years…. so I gave it a shot… 1 month later, my typing speed had exceeded QWERTY… I would like to comment on the word WERE… I have experimented several times, and I must say, I can type Were, faster with Dvorak, why? Because you are inclined to accidentally type werew using QWERTY, whereas with Dvorak, there is an alternation, and in fact I have tested this over and over and found it is faster with Dvorak. Also, when I went to College, I was forced (about 3 years ago) to learn to type fast with Qwerty, so for 8 months I gave up Dvorak, because my college degree required it of me, as I was studying IT and we had to have a minimum typing speed which was set highish… I only ever achieved around 55wpm in those 8 months… but I can type MUCH faster with the Dvorak layout as I discovered when I got pissed off over my speed with Qwerty… now, I use Qwerty AND Dvorak, as my job and university education facility require Qwerty to be used sadly… I type all my essays and papers and such with Dvorak though and I must say it is very fast. I find that Qwerty is too Awkward and uncomfortable to use, I always found that even before Dvorak… But I get great speeds with Dvorak.

]]> By: glen stewart http://dossy.org/2006/01/is-the-dvorak-keyboard-layout-faster-than-qwerty/comment-page-1/#comment-290670 glen stewart Mon, 13 Jun 2011 05:45:48 +0000 http://dossy.org/archives/000216.html#comment-290670 whoa, nevermind, I just found a Dvorak online, doesnt look anything like iPad's... apparently the iPad gives you the Dvorak option, without actually giving you the KEYBOARD. no right-click, no arrows, and now a fraudulent Dvorak... nice whoa, nevermind, I just found a Dvorak online, doesnt look anything like iPad’s… apparently the iPad gives you the Dvorak option, without actually giving you the KEYBOARD. no right-click, no arrows, and now a fraudulent Dvorak… nice

]]>