Dvorak Keyboards

Dvorak keyboards are, essentially, and alternative to the standard QWERTY keyboard layout. Augustus Dvorak patented the keyboard in 1936 after having studied both letter frequencies and the physiology of the human hand.

In a sense, the argument of whether to type on a Dvorak keyboard or a QWERTY keyboard is similar to the United States’ argument of whether to go metric or stick with feet and inches. No, the Dvorak keyboards are not an international standard like the metric system (after all, they are made specifically for typists of the English language). But, like the metric system, one of our main arguments against them is that we are too used our current system, the QWERTY keyboards.

Perhaps you may disagree on the reasons for the popularity of the QWERTY key layout the over Dvorak key layout. Put before you completely take a side as to which key layout is better, read over some of the general cons and pros of Dvorak keyboards sited by opponents and proponents of the design:

Learning – While Dvorak is easier to learn than QWERTY for new typists, it can be difficult for those already trained to use the QWERTY system to switch over.
Speed – Many people can achieve higher words per minute when using the Dvorak key layout, but others have trouble making the switch from the QWERTY layout, and they never regain their full speed.
Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) alleviation

- Because the most commonly used letters are in the home row, you do not need to unnaturally extend your fingers to reach them: your hands do not have to move around as much to type common words.
- The common letters are more evenly divided between the two hands. Therefore, it is less likely that just one hand will be used to type certain words (like the sentence, “Sara grew great trees.”)
- The Dvorak key layout forces the strongest fingers to do the majority of the work.
- Keep in mind that there are other methods for preventing and alleviating RSI (and if you already have a bad case of RSI, simply using a Dvorak keyboard may not be the most effective solution) – this key layout is better for prevention than treatment. Some people choose to use the Dvorak key layout in addition to another form of treatment.
Home row – Because the home row is composed of the letters most used in the English language, it can be more fun to learn to type on a Dvorak keyboard: more real words can be practiced, just by learning the home row. Also, the least commonly used letters are on the bottom row, the hardest row to reach.
Right hand – Dvorak keyboards are slightly geared more to right-handed people than left-handed people, since the majority of people are the former. The right hand is therefore forced to do a slight majority of the typing.
Convenience – There are multiple situations where using a Dvorak key layout is not as convenient as using a QWERTY. Of course, most of these situations would be completely alleviated if the Dvorak key layout became the standard, rather than the exception. Here are some inconvenient situations that can affect the usability of a Dvorak key layout:

- If you are constantly switching computers (even going to the library to use its computers could be a problem).
- If your computer is not compatible with Dvorak key layout software (and/or if you do not want to purchase a Dvorak keyboard).
- If you share a computer with someone who prefers QWERTY (of course, some computers have programs that make it easy to switch back and forth).
- If you use and depend on certain software keyboard commands that you have memorized based on their position, not on the letter.
Accuracy – For the most part, the accuracy in typing with a Dvorak key layout is similar to that of using QWERTY. The exception, perhaps, being the accuracy of someone who has recently made the switch. Both layouts have certain words (and letter combinations) that are sometimes difficult.