Mark. wrote:
> I was wondering how long it takes most people to convert to a Dvorak
> layout? I'm debating switching......Also debating switching to a more
> ergonomic keyboard like the Fingerworks Touchstream at the same time.
When I first learned dvorak, I was on around 180 keystrokes the minute
after a week, estimate two hours each day, learning dvorak on linux with
ktouch. Then I figured out, that the layout could be better and worked
on a new layout founding on my knowlegde of most used letters in german
and english language, I have from cryptography.
The most used keys I got on the mainline of the keyboard, the most
followed keys dispersed to the hands and then to the following
"drumming" pattern of fingers.
I called that the NEO layout. This layout has some in common with
dvorak, more in common with meyer (1964) and Hartmut Goebels layout and
has a yet unmatched statistics on most often words typed on the
mainline, most often typed bigrams and overall matching words on the
mainline. Together it should be statistically difficult to improve and
if, then not with much effect.
When I learned on that keyboard I was faster after a shorter time. The
layout was especially designed for the german language, but
statistically it is not the great difference to the english. The english
language has become more and more importand even for the native german
speaking people, so the importance of "th" and other english bigrams
were calculated in.
After only two days of four hour training I was at over 200 keystrokes a
minute. The typing is feelable smoother even than on dvorak, so I
switched. I guess you can write up to speed factor 1.3 over dvorak (even
in english language) but that is only a very intuitive number. The
proving keystroke-simulator is not longer on schedule because I think,
the statistics should speak for themself and I don't put more work on this.
Pity is, that I got up to this time no Windows XP-Driver ready, because
I have to figure out how this is done on Windows. On Linux I got layout
ready on my homepage for free download and a ktouch learning lesson too.
(widely after DIN Schreibmachinenkurs)
I still have to work on the WinXP-Driver and have a better driver on my
computer for linux, that is not a subclass of dvorak (like that on my
homepage). If there is out anyone who could give me a hand with this, I
would be happy.
For those of you, who are interested, but can't read german
(autotranslation/altavista works?), I can shortly point out some
statistics.
75 words of german language writable on qwertz
1400 words on german language writeable on dvorak
1600 words on de_ergo (meyer)
3600 words on neo
Statistics on the most 207 used german words you'll find on that page.
On the english language the statistics are nearly as good, but I don't
remember the values now. I just checked that out and it was still very
much better than any existing layout.
By founding on cryptographic statistics the resulting layout is
certainly not my work alone but the result of heavy statistic and
ergonomic work of others before me, including Dvorak himself, who I owe
greatest respekt for his work. I simply done what anyone could have done
after all this. It was not much work anymore.
Homepage: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://pebbles.schattenlauf.de" target="_blank">http://pebbles.schattenlauf.de</a>
Hope I could help a bit. There are some reports on the internet of
people who switched the layout to dvorak and they match with the
experience of the people in this newsgroup. Even switching back to
qwerty on a computer without dvorak is reported as no problem, just a
minute to "map back".
greetings Hanno<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
>> Stay informed about: Dvorak: How long to convert? 
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