Dvorak Progress
Dec, 2008 (2008-12-31 19:35)
So far, things are progressing very quickly. In my first fifteen minute session, I was able to memorize a, o, e, r, m, n, t, i, u, and s. I also get several other keys right at least 50% of the time. So my first impressions:
- this may not be as much suffering as I thought
- it’s really comfortable — almost no finger travel
- balances letter combinations between fingers/hands very well
- punctuation and symbols will take getting used to
- seems like U and I should be reversed
(I typed this in dvorak at roughly 8 wpm — not bad for 15 mins worth of drilling)
Inkblot
8 Jan 09 at 12:04 pm
I switched to dvorak for a bit back in Dec – but I whimped out and switched back again because I want to do it with a proper dvorak keyboard so I can look at the keyboard :S
And going from 85wpm to 20wpm at a time when I had a writing deadline was not so fun.
I really like the dvorak layout too, though – for the reasons you say. It’s great. I really should stop being a wuss and just do it…
wulf
8 Jan 09 at 3:59 pm
I think that getting a dvorak keyboard is a good way to go. Here’s a great one, though on the pricey side: http://www.typematrix.com/ezr2030/
I have stuck with using qwerty for work and just doing 30 minutes a day in dvoraak on keybr.com’s typing tutorial.
It’s going very well and it’s much less frustrating than just killing my typing ability for a month. I also haven’t experienced the frustrations others report by switching between the two layouts constantly, since it’s fairly isolated exposure.
My plan is, when I get up over 30wpm, to make the complete switch.
I’ve also been considering switching on weekends or other plans once my speed is up to avoid frustration.
wulf
8 Jan 09 at 4:04 pm
Also, rather than looking at the keyboard, I’ve had good success printing dvorak and putting it _above_ my monitor. That makes me keep my eyes off my hands and also makes it very quick to switch between looking at what I’m typing and the diagram.