Problems with QWERTY
- Many common letter combinations require awkward finger movements (jumping from the bottom row to the top row).
- Many common letter combinations are typed with one hand.
- Most typing is done with the left hand. With more people being right-handed, this means that most people do not use their dominant hand.
- All of these combined can slow down typing speed, increase errors, and lead to finger strain.
Dvorak Design Principles
- Letters should be typed by alternating between hands.
- The most common letters should be the easiest to type, the ones used the most frequently should be under the strongest fingers.
- The least common letters should be on the bottom row (this is the hardest to reach).
- Because more people are right-handed, the right hand should do more typing.
Practice
Here are a couple sites where you can practice Dvorak online. This is all done in your web browser, there is nothing to install:
Setting Dvorak as an Input Method (Windows 8)
Step 1: Right click on the Windows "Start" icon, then on the "Control Menu" item to open the "All Control Panel Items" window.
Step 2: Click on the "Language" option.
Step 3: On the "English (United States) language, click on the "Options" text on the right side of the box.
Step 4: In the "Input Method" section, click on the "Add an input method" text.
Step 5: Scroll until you find the "United States-Dvorak" option. Select it then click on the "Add" button.
Step 6: You can optionally remove the "US" Input Method.
Step 7: On the right hand side of the task bar, but to the left of the time indicator, you should see "ENG" text (this may differ based on how your task bar is set up). Click this text to switch between inputs (if you did not remove the "US" option in the previous step.
Setting Dvorak as an Input Method (Windows 7)
Step 1: Click on the "Start" icon, then click on "Control Panel."
Step 2: Click on the "Change keyboards or other input methods" text in the "Clock, Language, and Region" section.
Step 3: Click on the "Change keyboards..." button.
Step 4: Click on the "Add..." button.
Step 5: Find and check the "United States-Dvorak" option. Then click on the "OK" button.
Step 6: (Optional) Select the "Advanced Key Settings" tab, then click on the "Change Key Sequence..." button to configure how to switch between input methods.
Click "OK" until you return to the "Control Panel" window.
Common Problems
Problem: "I share a computer with others who use QWERTY!"
Solution 1: Use separate windows accounts
Solution 2: Teach them how to switch between input methods
Problem: "Now the controls for all of the games I play look messed up!"
Example: The keyboard layout for "Blades Of Time." What type of messed up configuration is this?
(this problem depends on the game, the keys are mapped to Dvorak, but are shown on a QWERTY keyboard)
Solution 1: Use a separate windows account for gaming that has the default input set to QWERTY
Solution 2: Manually switch the input method before launching the game (unless you are playing "The Typing of the Dead" of course).
Solution 3: Take some extra time when configuring your key bindings to determine how each game handles the Dvorak keyboard layout (it tends to vary from game to game)
Problems That may not Have Easy Solutions
Problem: Trouble-shooting computer issues for friends and family (QWERTY keyboard users) is more difficult.
I run into this problem from time to time, but it may not be an issue for everybody. A lot of issues can be fixed by mostly using the mouse anyway. If any typing is needed I just have to look at the keyboard.
Problem: You will have to re-learn keyboard shortcuts (they were designed for the QWERTY keyboard and may seem awkward in the Dvorak layout).
This depends on how much you use keyboard shortcuts. For me it was just something that I adapted to over time.
Problem: Some public computers (such as those at libraries) will not allow you to change the keyboard layout.
This one will also vary based on your computer usage habits.
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