If it was an obviously better layout across various metrics, the world would have switched by now.
I don't believe this "worse is better" non-sense. Quality does break through eventually.
I don't believe this "worse is better" non-sense. Quality does break through eventually.
But I'm pretty sure my typing needs as a programmer in 2023 are different from the typing needs of a telegraph transcriber in 1879.
I've been a Dvorak typist for 15 years. I can tell you, without reservation, that Dvorak is a better fit for my work. Dvorak is smooth and comfortable. I can stay in the zone for longer stretches of time.
Nonetheless, Qwerty's killer feature is that it's familiar. Historically familiar. That's enough to keep Qwerty on top.
There's a cycle here: Existing people type QWERTY, so they buy QWERTY keyboards, so they teach kids QWERTY, so they buy QWERTY keyboards, so they teach their kids QWERTY, and so on.
I use Dvorak. https://www.nayuki.io/page/i-type-in-dvorak