Go wussboy! 

:-)

hey wussboy, it's more challenging to switch from Dvorak to Colemak, but it's possible. Good luck.

You use the Windows install? In that case, I think I can guarantee you with 99.9% certainty that your computer worries stem from another source entirely. That install is based on the standard layout dll method which doesn't cause trouble. The only potential trouble I can envision would be if your work computer has a test for changes installed by your boss - but such a test ought to revert changes, not crash the comp!

At any rate, you could use the AutoHotKey-on-a-stick method instead if you're more comfortable with running Colemak from a USB stick than with installing it on your work comp (and your company allows this).

I wouldn't registry remap a work computer!

But yeah, don't use any old version. You want the new stuff, made with MSKLC 1.4, optimized for processor type and whatnot. The only "beta" thing about the "beta", ttbomk, is that it doesn't remap the CapsLock key for you. Again, something I'm not entirely sure I'd do on a work comp - but if you want it then you can do it yourself with KMapper or just merge the .reg file in the installers.

Hmmm...I just rebooted after installing the 1.1 beta and had no issues.  Now, if someone can tell me how to remap just the capslock, we'll be in business!

Edited:

Clearly I'm an idiot.  I have the backspace remapped now.  So far every thing seems okay...other than my WPM has dropped by 85%!  :(

I'll keep people posted.

Well, it has been 2 weeks now, and I just did 28 wpm on the typing test.  That's up from 19 at the beginning.  I haven't practised at all, other than just being at work.  I really should practice...  Oh well.  Strangely, I do better when I don't look at the screen or keyboard.  I'm actually better with my eyes shut!

I think I stopped being annoyed at myself around 45 WPM, but that should be quite individual I guess.

I'd recommend playing a typing game like Typing of the Dead: That loosened me up a lot, at least. If you can do 44 WPM, you should be ready for such a game. Much slower, and the game will be too hard to enjoy properly even if the difficulty settings are adjustable. But around there, it should be about right.

If you don't like a zombie theme, just play Typer Shark for free (or buy the more snazzy version) at PopCap games.

Hi,

I type close to 9 hours a day (though i have long breaks every month) using qwerty.
I just hate QWERTY.

So I searched for alternative keyboard layouts.
Initially I found Dvorak, and started learning it.
But in about three days, I found that Dvorak too has some limitations while switching over from qwerty.
Especially the punctuation keys, which I often use.

Then I searched for other layouts. And I got Colemak.

I'm using the exe file provided by Ryan in his website http://www.ryanheise.com/colemak.exe to change the layout.
I use CAPS LOCKS a lot. Now i use sticky keys to overcome that issue.

Hi,
It works so well. Now I'm carrying your version in my USB everyday. It's been very useful to me. I had little frustration when I was using sticky keys to overcome the issue of CAPS LOCK. Now I got rid of it and I'm completely satisfied using colemak everywhere.

Thanks mate.

Glad to hear you're doing well!

The B key is in a horrible position. Some people have as much trouble with J but for me it's always been the B that caused the most trouble. Until I switched it one letter to the left and put my VK_102 in the middle. Now I'm very happy with hitting both B and V. You'll have to use a board that has a key to the left of Z for this to be feasible, obviously.

The only downside I've noticed is that a couple of times when using unmodified QWERTY boards I've hit Ctrl-X instead of Ctrl-C and such. But in these days of liberal Undo policies that's not been a problem.

Nice to join you all.

wussboy,
I'm glad to here that things have gone well for you in the transition.
I switched to Dvorak 10 years ago and I've been much happier than using Qwerty. It took me a solid month going cold turkey to switch - that looks like it was about your timeline with Colemak as well.
At some point, I'll probably try Colemak and see what happens. After reading some of the posts, I'm very interested and it looks like there are some definite advantages. I can never remember where the brackets, the plus and equals sign and so forth are in Dvorak.
It would be nice if Colemak was a standard option in Windows. Having to do something custom on all the computers that I use could be a challenge.

Have a nice day.

PS. I was doing an install of Ubuntu Hardy Heron and I noticed the Colemak keyboard layout above Dvorak. I wondered what Colemak was, looked it up and found you all.