How did I switch from QWERTY to DVORAK?

The journey of switching to the Dvorak layout after using Qwerty for years

Keyboard, nowadays every person uses the keyboard for their work, study, and a plethora of other things. That humble little peripheral that sits on our desks, taking up space and collecting crumbs and who knew that such a mundane device could hold the power to make or break a programmer’s workflow? The choice of the keyboard can mean the difference between lightning-fast coding and hours of frustration. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of keyboards for programmers, exploring the intricacies and quirks of the different options available and why did I switch to the DVORAK keyboard layout after using the traditional QWERTY layout for years. So buckle up, folks. It’s time to get serious about our keyboards.

As a student and a programmer, typing is an essential part of the daily routine which starts with coding and the ability to type quickly and accurately can make all the difference in your productivity. I’ve been using the keyboard, specifically for programming for several years and as someone who spends a plethora of time typing on a keyboard, I’ve always been interested in the ways to improve my typing speed and accuracy a little more. I’ve used several mechanical keyboards with various switches to boost typing speed and accuracy but I’ve found that the improvements are inconsistent or overly improved. You will simply wind up spending more money on a mechanical keyboard that is squandered.

After doing some research, I came across the DVORAK keyboard layout, which is said to be faster and more efficient than the traditional QWERTY layout. Additionally, the DVORAK layout is more ergonomic and the layout is designed to minimize the strain on fingers, hands and wrists, reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which is terrifying. As someone who spends hours typing every day, this is a crucial factor for them. DVORAK keyboard layout is a superior option for programmers and anyone who spends a lot of time typing. It’s faster, more efficient and more ergonomic than the traditional QWERTY keyboard layout. So I give it a try and I literally change my keyboard keys like the DVORAK keyboard layout.

I switched to DVORAK instantaneously and gave it a go but frankly, it was quite difficult and challenging to type on the DVORAK layout for the first time and it was like trying to find your way around a foreign country without a map. I acknowledge that switching from QWERTY to DVORAK may require a period of adjustments and time. I had to retrain my muscle memory and it definitely took some time to get used to the new layout.

In order to accomplish that, I establish a routine to type on the DVORAK layout every evening for at least an hour or more. I’ve seen a substantial improvement in my typing speed and accuracy after following and practise to the routine for two weeks. It requires patience and dedication, therefore it’s suitable for anybody who wants to master touch typing.

I no longer have to extend or strain my finger to reach frequent characters because of the layout’s intuitive design, which has made typing more comfortable and natural. I used to practise on a website called DitchQwerty, which is really helpful for practising the DVORAK layout. Since I use a split keyboard, I can say from experience that using the DVORAK layout is more comfortable than QWERTY. The typing speed using a DVORAK layout is around :

THE BENEFITS OF USING DVORAK over QWERTY

1. Faster Typing Speed
2. Increased Comfortability
3. Improved Accuracy
4. Better for Typing Code
5. Reduce Strain on Hands and Wrist

Before switching to the DVORAK keyboard layout, I had used obviously QWERTY keyboard for typing which I learned from the texting conversations and many more things. During those times, I benefited from the familiarity and widespread use of the conventional keyboard layout. The majority of keyboards are designed with a QWERTY layout which made it easier for anyone to use on any device. Moreover, QWERTY has helped me to develop muscle memory for typing quickly and accurately. Muscle memory is a crucial part of typing, and QWERTY has allowed me to develop it over the years. The things I’ve learned while using QWERTY will undoubtedly benefit me as I make the transition to Dvorak.

The QWERTY keyboard layout is a standard and popular choice among programmers. It’s what we were taught to type in school, what we used to write words and codes and what we’ve been using for years. But what if there’s a better way? What if there’s a keyboard layout that’s optimized for programming, one that would allow you to type more quickly and accurately, without having to strain your hands or wrists, and with more ease? Many programmers from all over the world have discovered that the advantages of switching from Qwerty to Dvorak are well worth the effort, despite the transition appearing to be difficult.

In conclusion, switching to the DVORAK keyboard layout has been a game changer. Compared to the QWERTY layout, it is quicker, more effective, and more comfortable. While it does take some time and effort to make the switch, the benefits are well worth it. Since I’ve been using the QWERTY layout for years, the maximum typing speed is somewhere between 125–150 WPM but after using the DVORAK layout for just two weeks, The typing speed has increased to anywhere between 50–80 WPM. The DVORAK keyboard is a superior alternative to the conventional layout because of its ergonomic design and optimised layout, and the advantages of switching are indisputable. If you are looking to improve your typing speed, accuracy, and comfort, you should consider DVORAK Keyboard Layout.