Alternative Keyboard Layouts

kingofpenguins · 26 Sep 2008, 11:11 AM

Just wondering, does anbody here use an alternative keyboard layout, like Dvorak, Colemak, etc.? About 18 months ago, I made the switch to Dvorak, and never looked back, until yesterday, when I started learning Colemak.

So, which layout do you use?

Now, I just spent a ton of time typing this in Colemak, so you better vote and reply.

Chipper · 27 Sep 2008, 12:29 AM

I used to use Dvorak at a previous employer. When I got to my current employer, we were in the process of moving from dummy terminals to PCs. Unfortunately, I had to revert to QWERTY but then never made the switch back again to Dvorak.

Colemark looks interesting -- I'd be curious to see the comparison studies between Colemark & Dvorak.

janusz · 27 Sep 2008, 12:40 AM

From Colemac's FAQ:

Quote:

Who should learn Colemak?
....
Journalists, bloggers or anyone that needs to type in time-critical situations
....

Now I know that blogging is time-critical

kingofpenguins · 27 Sep 2008, 04:42 AM

Well, I voted for Dvorak, because it is the layout that I know the best, even though I am learning and using Colemak right now.

robert@fm · 27 Sep 2008, 08:35 AM

If I switched to Colemark (or however one spells it), would I then be able to get proficient enough to use IRC without having to resort to e. e. cummings mode as I usually do?

kingofpenguins · 27 Sep 2008, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert@fm

If I switched to Colemark (or however one spells it), would I then be able to get proficient enough to use IRC without having to resort to e. e. cummings mode as I usually do?

I don't know... unlike Dvorak, Colemak keeps the xcv keys in the same positions as qwerty, so you can still easilly copy-paste.

David · 27 Sep 2008, 10:01 AM

Question: If you wanted to change your keyboard layout, you would switch the keyboard type (in the O/S settings) and then re label (or replace) the keys. Is that correct? Or would you actually buy a new keyboard.

How would you switch the keyboard on a VT 100 dumb terminal I wonder?

kingofpenguins · 27 Sep 2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Question: If you wanted to change your keyboard layout, you would switch the keyboard type (in the O/S settings) and then re label (or replace) the keys. Is that correct? Or would you actually buy a new keyboard.

How would you switch the keyboard on a VT 100 dumb terminal I wonder?

With computers, you only have to change a setting in the software. Windows, Mac, the X Windows System, and *NIX all let you make the change through a menu or command. Although you can relabel or switch the actual keys, this is not necessary, and the creator of Colemak (as well as many others) actually recommends against it.

But I'm not quite sure about dumb terminals, so you may have to do some research on that yourself.

Adam Lachlan · 1 Oct 2008, 05:48 AM

I've always used Querty, and never entertained the idea of anything else - I'd find it too confusing.

Adam Lachlan · 1 Oct 2008, 05:49 AM

*Qwerty...

Lockwood · 14 Oct 2008, 08:34 PM

I found it so hard to (barely!) master qwerty that to change would do my head in

robert@fm · 14 Oct 2008, 11:26 PM

It's not an alternative layout (it's qwerty), but I like the Trust KB-1500 USB keyboard I bought for my laptop a few days ago; not only does it look cool with the blue backlight shining through the keys (it can be switched off during the day when it's not needed), but it's usable in the dim light conditions in which I often find myself -- in fact, I can even use it in total darkness, whereas before I had to tilt the screen forward so I could see the keyboard in its light.

Handy, because my bedside light sometimes shines in my eyes and makes the laptop awkward to use.

The KB-1500 also works a lot better than the built-in keyboard.

David · 14 Oct 2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert@fm

It's not an alternative layout (it's qwerty), but I like the Trust KB-1500 USB keyboard I bought for my laptop a few days ago;

It looks interesting Robert. Having checked it out though, I find that it only works with Windows Vista, XP, or 2000.

Bamb0 · 6 Sep 2021, 06:07 AM

I use QWERTY

I dunno if I could do it on any other

I have always wondered why the keys are laid out as they are instead of a,b,c,d,e,f,g.............

I reckon THAT would be hard also......

View Poll Results: Layout?
Qwerty (or a variant)	9	90.00%
Dvorak	1	10.00%
Colemak	0	0%
Other (post which one)	0	0%
Voters: 10. You may not vote on this poll

26 Sep 2008, 11:11 AM	#1
kingofpenguins Essential Contributor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 265	Alternative Keyboard Layouts Just wondering, does anbody here use an alternative keyboard layout, like Dvorak, Colemak, etc.? About 18 months ago, I made the switch to Dvorak, and never looked back, until yesterday, when I started learning Colemak. So, which layout do you use? Now, I just spent a ton of time typing this in Colemak, so you better vote and reply. Last edited by kingofpenguins : 26 Sep 2008 at 11:20 AM.

27 Sep 2008, 12:29 AM	#2
Chipper Master of the @ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Greenbelt, MD (USA) Posts: 1,279	I used to use Dvorak at a previous employer. When I got to my current employer, we were in the process of moving from dummy terminals to PCs. Unfortunately, I had to revert to QWERTY but then never made the switch back again to Dvorak. Colemark looks interesting -- I'd be curious to see the comparison studies between Colemark & Dvorak.

27 Sep 2008, 04:42 AM	#4
kingofpenguins Essential Contributor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 265	Well, I voted for Dvorak, because it is the layout that I know the best, even though I am learning and using Colemak right now.

27 Sep 2008, 08:35 AM	#5
robert@fm The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 4,681	If I switched to Colemark (or however one spells it), would I then be able to get proficient enough to use IRC without having to resort to e. e. cummings mode as I usually do?

27 Sep 2008, 10:01 AM	#7
David Ultimate Contributor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Canada. Posts: 10,355	Question: If you wanted to change your keyboard layout, you would switch the keyboard type (in the O/S settings) and then re label (or replace) the keys. Is that correct? Or would you actually buy a new keyboard. How would you switch the keyboard on a VT 100 dumb terminal I wonder?

1 Oct 2008, 05:48 AM	#9
Adam Lachlan Master of the @ Join Date: May 2002 Location: UK Posts: 1,004	I've always used Querty, and never entertained the idea of anything else - I'd find it too confusing.

1 Oct 2008, 05:49 AM	#10
Adam Lachlan Master of the @ Join Date: May 2002 Location: UK Posts: 1,004	*Qwerty...

14 Oct 2008, 08:34 PM	#11
Lockwood Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 39	I found it so hard to (barely!) master qwerty that to change would do my head in

14 Oct 2008, 11:26 PM	#12
robert@fm The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 4,681	It's not an alternative layout (it's qwerty), but I like the Trust KB-1500 USB keyboard I bought for my laptop a few days ago; not only does it look cool with the blue backlight shining through the keys (it can be switched off during the day when it's not needed), but it's usable in the dim light conditions in which I often find myself -- in fact, I can even use it in total darkness, whereas before I had to tilt the screen forward so I could see the keyboard in its light. Handy, because my bedside light sometimes shines in my eyes and makes the laptop awkward to use. The KB-1500 also works a lot better than the built-in keyboard.

6 Sep 2021, 06:07 AM	#14
Bamb0 The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,370	I use QWERTY I dunno if I could do it on any other I have always wondered why the keys are laid out as they are instead of a,b,c,d,e,f,g............. I reckon THAT would be hard also......