-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA512 On 9/27/07, Kenneth Burgener <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello all, > > I have recently decided that I would like to invest the time in learning > the Dvorak keyboard layout, to help reduce such things as Carpal Tunnel > Syndrome. I am curious to find out who here uses the Dvorak keyboard, > and what tips and tricks they have found to make the switch easier?
Good for you. The Dvorak layout has saved me from pain and loss of a couple fingers. :) > The issues I have stumbled upon are: > > 1. Solutions needed for both Windows and Linux environments. I live in > both a Windows and Linux world so it is important to find solutions for > the following problems that work in both. Both OS's have the Dvorak layout available. Go to the International settings for either to add keyboard layouts. A quick way to change in Linux is setxkbmap -rules xfree86 -model pc105 -layout dvorak -variant basic setxkbmap -rules xfree86 -model pc105 -layout us -variant basic or just setxkbmap -layout [us|dvorak] > > 2. Lack of keyboards. The few Dvorak keyboards I have found are all > $100+, and I have yet to find an "ergonomic" shaped Dvorak keyboard. > The most common Dvorak keyboard I have found is the TypeMatrix 2030, > but it is not ergonomic. For now I have settled upon using Windows > "Local - Dvorak" feature, and Linux alias/xmodmap/loadkeys solutions I > have found. Don't buy a new keyboard relabeled for Dvorak, just change the layout. > > 3. Location based keys: Cut/Copy/Paste/Undo or Vi's 'hjkl'. Vi's 'hjkl' > movement keys are no much of an issue for me, as I use the arrow keys > provided on all modern keyboards, but for the die hard Vi purists, this > may be a rather irritating point. For me Cut/Copy/Paste/Undo being the > "ZXCV" positions is very convenient, especially since they are one > handed, and you can use the mouse while performing these actions. > Switching to Dvorak breaks this convenience. Any one familiar with a > good solution? This is user-dependent. Some people remap cut/copy/paste, others (like myself) use the same key combinations (ctrl-x; ctrl-c; etc.). The same is true for vim. > > I have also heard > of a Programming Dvorak layout. Anyone had any experience with these > layouts? Can't help you there. > My final comment is when I refer to an "ergonomic" style keyboard, I > don't just mean one that "bumps" out. I have also seen "separated > halves" style keyboards, which I think work as well. Anything to give > more distance between the two hands. The Dvorak layout is inherently "ergonomic." The stresses associated with using the Qwerty layout are significantly reduced even on straight/standard keyboards. --- Colby Williams -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.6 (GNU/Linux) iQEVAwUBRvvbouy+Nn4pThDhAQoJrAf/cDG6k0RKQQLSN81OqQyYIF9DT3QanbVp 5a+hLovhKm1obwC9+KWxSUwI76aPupyAy+MWjHuS7DPxoph68A2EpGbqAJoTbVqW P/0Q9GqFCiZ8O9kzjD1i6Z6DlJRte5NFhjS1v02Cj6YxtOPC1Cqg/DlPFidYruM5 q7SA53sKD4ggEwJt04pYfPLcSR1v30JR0wbtfsHolf4S1GDYaJLKk7ZhzUuyCWeQ sfFq6otI4G9U5rORmhkBRqk3brpOo6/trvpW3eCFvv47gf4WYbN8dOF/hG0o8MgG 6YvBsM4J7btvz4/pB+fwMZQE8Ce7aMnJRXhYDk6w0175G0hUq65sBQ== =hPFe -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- /* PLUG: http://plug.org, #utah on irc.freenode.net Unsubscribe: http://plug.org/mailman/options/plug Don't fear the penguin. */
