I'm having a difficult decision deciding between 2 keyboard layouts. - General

jc0481
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13-Feb-2025 16:48:54#1 I'm having a difficult decision deciding between 2 keyboard layouts.

It's between learning Colemak again and learning Dvorak. I had to switch away from Colemak a while ago because it was a big hassle to put in the flash drive with past jobs and plus not allowed at all at a few companies I worked at due to security reasons which I understand. But now that Windows 11 supports it and Windows 10 reaching EOL this year in October makes me reconsider Colemak again. Dvorak is still available more than Colemak. I hope that will change in the future.

I value typing speed more than I do comfort. Comfort comes second. I will also be programming in the future.

I hope someone can relate to my issue. If you can relate what layout did you go with and why?

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DreymaR
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13-Feb-2025 17:28:27#2 Re: I'm having a difficult decision deciding between 2 keyboard layouts.

Speed isn't strongly linked to layout, unlike comfort. The fact that the fastest typists in the world still use QWERTY should be a hint of that. You can be fast on most layouts it seems, it's more about hard work.

If you wish to discuss the merits of layouts, you should hit Discord. There's the Colemak server of course, but also the AKL (Alt Keyboard Layout) server. I have a link to their intro guide to layouts on my links page.

Dvorak may be a little more available for now, true, but it's also quite hopelessly outdated in my opinion. If you want a layout with rolls, Colemak really is a brilliant alternative with a strong following and good support. You don't seem too interested in more experimental layouts, but suffice it to say that if alternation is your thing, there are much better options for that than Dvorak these days.

As for the security issue, at my workplace I've solved that by carrying around a small USB "QUICKIE" device. It also gives me Extend which I really don't want to be without.

You could check out my BigBag for more answers and details.

Last edited by DreymaR (13-Feb-2025 17:30:32)

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jc0481
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13-Feb-2025 21:28:13#3 Re: I'm having a difficult decision deciding between 2 keyboard layouts.

DreymaR said:

Speed isn't strongly linked to layout, unlike comfort. The fact that the fastest typists in the world still use QWERTY should be a hint of that. You can be fast on most layouts it seems, it's more about hard work.
If you wish to discuss the merits of layouts, you should hit Discord. There's the Colemak server of course, but also the AKL (Alt Keyboard Layout) server. I have a link to their intro guide to layouts on my links page.
Dvorak may be a little more available for now, true, but it's also quite hopelessly outdated in my opinion. If you want a layout with rolls, Colemak really is a brilliant alternative with a strong following and good support. You don't seem too interested in more experimental layouts, but suffice it to say that if alternation is your thing, there are much better options for that than Dvorak these days.
As for the security issue, at my workplace I've solved that by carrying around a small USB "QUICKIE" device. It also gives me Extend which I really don't want to be without.
You could check out my BigBag for more answers and details.

Thanks for your response DreyMaR! You're right about the hard work with typing improving speed. I am not interested in experimental layouts. Only because of compatibility reasons. Companies don't like it when you bring in a flash drive from your house and plug it in the company's computer. The I.T. team especially hate this. But now that Colemak will be supported out of the box on Windows 11. It makes this a thing of the past.

I will switch back to Colemak! You're also right about Dvorak being outdated. Thanks again.

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DreymaR
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14-Feb-2025 11:23:10#4 Re: I'm having a difficult decision deciding between 2 keyboard layouts.

Just so we're clear: The QUICKIE device is not a flash drive, and should pose no problem to I.T. people who know their field. It uses only the HID protocol, which is safe for this purpose.

You can achieve the same with a programmable keyboard, but those are even more expensive and, more importantly for me, harder to lug around with you. Some of them seem very nice though!

https://dreymar.colemak.org/typing-tric … #usb-2-usb

As I said, I, for one, am totally addicted to having Extend layers. It's so brilliant. And not available in Windows without software or a device.

Last edited by DreymaR (14-Feb-2025 11:27:32)

*** Learn Colemak in 2–5 steps with Tarmak! ***
*** Check out my Big Bag of Keyboard Tricks for Win/Linux/TMK... ***

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