Agreed that there is room for more optimization and DVORAK isn’t the end-all be-all of keyboard layouts. I still use QWERTY myself so saved this research for others in the comments.
So, I didn’t comment on this earlier, but I continue to think about it. If you aren’t taking your own advice on this issue, how strongly do you believe it? Is there a good reason for others to take it?
I mean, it makes great sense for people who find typing effortful or start developing RSIs to switch to colemak or qgmlwy. But the impression I get is that happens to a minority of keyboard users, and thus switching before you develop any troubles is a lot of preventative effort with low chance of payout.
For example, I memorized the qgmlwy layout in about a day, but found that whenever I typed with it it was a constant battle to manually force the qgmlwy layout instead of using the muscle memory of qwerty. I suffered through my 7 wpm for a few days before I decided that it was more important to do my work at a reasonable pace than switch keyboard layouts.
I don’t see a reason to try again (until I start developing a RSI), and so am hesitant to recommend to other people that they try (though I’m willing to point out superior alternatives to dvorak). Am I seriously underestimating my chances of developing a RSI, or is this indicative of a wider trend that optimizing without math is, well, premature?
[edit] I should also say, I’m much more willing to spend money than time on ergonomics, and keyboard layouts are very much a time thing, not a money thing.
That was not actually my own advice but was added to the article at the suggestion of my roommate, a DVORAK proponent.
I don’t type professionally or very much in the scheme of things, so am not particularly concerned about my risk of developing RSIs from typing specifically. I’m still intrigued by Colemak so think I’ll actually give that a try this upcoming week.
So, I didn’t comment on this earlier, but I continue to think about it. If you aren’t taking your own advice on this issue, how strongly do you believe it? Is there a good reason for others to take it?
I mean, it makes great sense for people who find typing effortful or start developing RSIs to switch to colemak or qgmlwy. But the impression I get is that happens to a minority of keyboard users, and thus switching before you develop any troubles is a lot of preventative effort with low chance of payout.
For example, I memorized the qgmlwy layout in about a day, but found that whenever I typed with it it was a constant battle to manually force the qgmlwy layout instead of using the muscle memory of qwerty. I suffered through my 7 wpm for a few days before I decided that it was more important to do my work at a reasonable pace than switch keyboard layouts.
I don’t see a reason to try again (until I start developing a RSI), and so am hesitant to recommend to other people that they try (though I’m willing to point out superior alternatives to dvorak). Am I seriously underestimating my chances of developing a RSI, or is this indicative of a wider trend that optimizing without math is, well, premature?
[edit] I should also say, I’m much more willing to spend money than time on ergonomics, and keyboard layouts are very much a time thing, not a money thing.
That was not actually my own advice but was added to the article at the suggestion of my roommate, a DVORAK proponent.
I don’t type professionally or very much in the scheme of things, so am not particularly concerned about my risk of developing RSIs from typing specifically. I’m still intrigued by Colemak so think I’ll actually give that a try this upcoming week.