On Sat, 30 Apr 2005 at 13:02 -0600, Stuart Jansen wrote:
> On Sat, 2005-04-30 at 11:42 -0700, y ml2 wrote:        
> > Can I work most optimal in most programming jobs with dvorak?  (Is
> > there any risk to learn   programming with dvorak?)
> 
> Using Dvorak in the work place can be a major hazard. Every time a
> co-worker tries to type on your keyboard and discovers it has been
> remapped, he will be filled with an insane urge to beat you with your
> own keyboard.

Are you sure that's the reason? ;-)

> I know we have the some Dvorak users on the list, so I'll let that
> tell you how wonderful it is. But just in case they don't...

Ah, now we're objectifying Dvorak users. :-)

> But just in case they don't, let me remind you how long it took to
> learn to touch type qwerty. 

Bzzzt, bad argument. Think of how long it took you to learn to program,
and then how long it took to learn cool programming language of the week
by comparison. Make no mistake, with diligent effort you will learn
dvorak quicker than you learned qwerty. If you never learned to touch
type, well now is a good time and if Dvorak is a motivator then by all
means do it.

> You will be hit by an initial slow down while you learn a new mapping. 

Yes. Take this into account.

> Afterwards, you'll still have to know qwerty for when you use another
> person's keyboard.

I don't think this is a problem. I play the piano, the organ, and the
computer keyboard. I never get them confused. I know a bit of dvorak,
and while I sometimes revert back to qwerty when typing dvorak (I'm not
_good_ at dvorak (yet)), I rarely have the opposite problem.

> Myself, I already type faster than I can think. Just doesn't seem
> worth it.

Which is exactly why I haven't learned dvorak yet. We programmers use
the keyboard differently from, say, secretaries. We generally get to
this point where we type faster than we can think of things to type. So,
if you're just in it for the speed, unless you're a genius that dreams
up code at 200wpm, or your qwerty skillz are only 15wpm, just stick with
what you know. 

On the other hand, if you are interested in the health benefits of
dvorak, and like to annoy your coworkers, then dvorak may be right for
you.

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