12/09/02: The Dvorak Keyboard Configuration

[juju]

I think i've settled on a keyboard. I'd like to have this one, but since I don't have $300, I'm instead going to go with this one.

It's pluses are:

• it's a fixed-split keyboard
• it's black
• the arrow keys are right
• the insert/home/pageup keys are right
• opportunity to "stick it to the man" and not buy microsoft

Plus, if my measurements are right, it should fit in my keyboard tray. I haven't ordered it yet, as i'm still training on the dvorak layout. But I think i'm going to go with the Belkin.

[juju]

Although, i'm definitely going to be watching ebay for a cheap black kinesis. It's just so cool! And my thumbs definitely need more work.

[Tobiasly]

You can get that Belkin about ten bucks cheaper at a few other sites...

[juju]

Thanks, Tob. My order has been placed!

Also, I learned something. Apparently, changing someone's keyboard setup is one of the most disturbing and disruptive things than you can do to a person's computer. Usually they seem to think I won't be able to change it back. As if I get off on going around ruining people's computers!

[Whit]

     Really? Hmm, I seem to remember you telling me a story about changing a lady's "My Computer" icon to "Hal-9000"... Which it still was a year later. As I recall she had no idea that you had done it, no idea why it had changed whatsoever. Even told you it kind of creeped her out.
     Not that that "ruined" her computer, but it was still a random and, appearantly, disruptive change. Personally, of course, I think it's pretty funny.

[juju]

Yeah, that was Rita's computer. It was only disruptive to her because she was't smart enough to know how to change it. :)

[MaggieL]

.

[Whit]

     Heh, it's her fault 'cause she's to dumb to figure it out? I love that logic. Not at all condesending. Tee-hee...!

[juju]

I just got the new belkin in, and it's so awesome looking! It doesn't have the ugly red and white belkin sticker on the bottom right, as is depicted in the picture on the website. It still says belkin, but the design is much more low-key, and flows better with the overall look of the keyboard. And it's not a sticker, either. It's just white print, like what's on the keys.

It also has very sturdy rubber grips on the bottom. This keyboard isn't going anywhere when you set it down. It really stays put while you're typing on it. I know that most keyboards have rubber grips, but these are much better than any i've ever seen.

The little flip-up supports on the bottom are on the side closer to you, not the side farther away from you. This gives the keyboard a negative tilt, and there's evidence to show that typing on a keyboard with a negative tilt produces less strain in the wrists! Nifty, eh?

Also, for some strange reason I can type much faster on this keyboard, even though i'm just now using it. I think it's because I've been having real confusion between the 'x' and 'b' keys, which are where 'b' and 'n' are on a qwerty keyboard. Putting an inch between these two keys for some reason helps me remember which hand i'm supposed to use to get to it.

[juju]

Just an update, I'm still using the Dvorak keyboard layout. I've been getting gradually better throughout this entire time, but I'm still slow. Although I hate to make excuses, this is the primary reason why I've neglected my forum for so long, Those long, magnificent posts that I've been so fond of in the past seem pretty daunting now. In fact, they're now hours-long excursions. That's also why whenever I made comments in the regular forums, they were always very short. Now you know!

I've worked up to a tolerable speed now, though, and I feel pretty good about it. I don't have to look at the keyboard to type, so I just have to work on speed (and a little accuracy). And truth be told, typing long posts is probably the best thing for this. :)

For the record, here's the keyboard I got. Probably not the best angle, as you can't see how it rises up in the middle. But it's hard to show off the 3d-ishness of something in a 2-dimensional picture.

[elSicomoro]

Ummm...juju, if you're using Dvorak, why are all the letters still in the Qwerty formation?

[slang]

Mr Juju, could you please post a picture of the keyboard that is a little bigger and easier to see?

[juju]

Originally posted by sycamore
Ummm...juju, if you're using Dvorak, why are all the letters still in the Qwerty formation?

Because, I want to force myself to learn to touch type, not hunt and peck. When I had the physical keys rearranged, all I did was look at the keyboard all the time. I discovered that that isn't the best way to learn.

Originally posted by slang
Mr Juju, could you please post a picture of the keyboard that is a little bigger and easier to see?

I've had some problems with that, but I'll give it another go. Perhaps I'll try cleaning the lens of my camera. My pictures have all come out very blurry recently.

[slang]

I was just razzing you Juju. The pic was a bit bigger than normal.

[juju]

Oh. :)

Everything seems tiny at 1280 x 1024.