apple news/media reports
12/27/2006, 10:40am, EST
Wednesday, December 27th
MacBook owner opts for Dvorak layout
One enthusiastic Apple owner has physically modified his MacBook keyboard to utilize the Dvorak keyboard layout. Seeking the more modern Dvorak layout -- which is faster than the antiquated QWERTY style still in widespread use today -- resulted in the exchange of several keys using a standard mini screwdriver to produce the desired effect, according to Newlaunches.com. Most modern operating systems -- including Apple's Mac OS X -- ship with built-in support for the Dvorak keyboard layout to accommodate customers who need or desire a faster means of typing text on a regular basis. The original QWERTY keyboard layout was invented in the 1860s by newspaper editor Christopher Sholes in Milwaukee, who also invented the modern typewriter. The aged QWERTY typing style was engineered to place the most frequently-pressed keys as far apart as possible to prevent mechanical bars in original typewriters from becoming entangled with one another, ultimately slowing down typing speed.
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I gave Dvorak a whirl but found that any increase in typing speed was completely killed by the much longer reaches for standard keyboard shortcuts. I guess I just don't type enough to make it worthwhile.
It is quite possible to map the keyboard so you have Dvorak layout for typing, and keep some of the command-key equivalents in the same place as in Qwerty, if you really want to.
Dvorak really can make for greatly reduced effort if you type a lot, I've used it off and on since 1980. (It's not a practical option if you have to use employer-supplied machines at work, unfortunately.)
We'll see eye, pen, voice or telekinetic inputs before DVORAK is widly adopted.
Think back to the early 90s when the US was going to change to Metric to be like the rest of the world. Never happened. Even England is split 50/50 on Old English measurements and metric. Simply put: It may be great for some folks, but it isn't going to become mainstream.
More power to the modder, he's ensured no one will touch his laptop.
When I first switched to Dvorak, I put those stickers on my keys so I could see which key was which, but I quickly got used to them and began touch typing and haven't needed those stickers since.
The main advantage of Dvorak is that it's easier on the hands since you don't have to reach as much. It helps prevent fatigue in the forearms and carpal tunnel syndrome.