• You are not logged in.

    vs dvorak

    • Started by countach
    • 5 Replies:
    • Reputation: 0
    • Registered: 19-Dec-2005
    • Posts: 11
    19-Dec-2005 01:40:29#1 vs dvorak

    I've been using Dvorak now for maybe a decade.  Changing layouts is very traumatic. I don't know if I should consider switching to Coleman or not. I mean, at least Dvorak is a "standard" non-standard layout. There's a dozen alternative layouts out there. Why is Coleman better than the others?

    I wonder about the similarities between Coleman and Qwerty. I can see the pragmatic benefits of having ZXCV where it is on qwerty because of the control keys used by programs. But what are the losses compared to being able to move them somewhere else?

    The page says "By grouping the vowels (except 'A') on the right hand, it reduces very long sequences of same-hand typing". Okay, so why isn't 'A' on the right hand too?

    I guess I want more assurances that before I go through the traumatic process of re-learning, that this really is the "ultimate" keyboard layout. I can see the benefits of moving the L on dvorak. I'm curious about the benefits of putting ZXCV back in the qwerty positions. But I want to know all the whys and wherefores.

    Offline
    • 0
    • Shai
    • Administrator
    • Reputation: 36
    • Registered: 11-Dec-2005
    • Posts: 423
    19-Dec-2005 01:51:43#2 Re: vs dvorak

    It's answered in the FAQ, https://colemak.com/FAQ#Is_it_worth_swi … Colemak.3F
    Placing the A on the would mean it would have to be typed with the index finger (on the 'H' or 'J' QWERTY positions), the index finger types 6 letters instead of 3, and thus greatly increase the same-finger ratio.

    Offline
    • 0
    • Reputation: 0
    • Registered: 19-Dec-2005
    • Posts: 11
    19-Dec-2005 03:36:01#3 Re: vs dvorak

    I read the FAQ, but it doesn't answer this question: How do I know that next week someone won't release YAKL (yet another keyboard layout),  that is better than this one and I have to learn again to get the best keyboard? In other words, what work have you done and how much analysis have you done that this keyboard has a decent shot of retaining its crown? And for that matter, why pick Colemak and not the other contenders listed in the FAQ?

    Offline
    • 0
    • Reputation: 0
    • Registered: 17-Dec-2005
    • Posts: 2
    19-Dec-2005 18:25:58#4 Re: vs dvorak

    Hello Countach,

    I'm more or less in the same situation as you.  At the end it's your decision.  I'm trying Colemak and I guess, in a few weeks I'll be able to make an informed decision.

    Offline
    • 0
    • Reputation: 0
    • Registered: 02-Jan-2006
    • Posts: 10
    02-Jan-2006 08:34:50#5 Re: vs dvorak

    I recently converted to asetion which was hard to do, and now im converting to colemak. I guess im used to swiching back and forth between layouts now because im learning this one pretty quickly.

    I think the best way to make Colemak a standard would be to get alot of big articles written about it and its ergonomic benifits, especially those relate to Carpal tunnel. Then convince somone on the inside to include US colemak with Windows Vista. If you can get it into windows its a standard. Is there an RSI community at Microsoft?

    Last edited by mpteach (02-Jan-2006 08:41:33)
    Offline
    • 0
    • Reputation: 0
    • Registered: 02-Jan-2006
    • Posts: 10
    04-Jan-2006 02:43:18#6 Re: vs dvorak

    It takes much longer to convert to dvorak than colemak. Qwerty might have been dead if colemak had been invented in the 30's.

    Offline
    • 0