Ditch QWERTY – Your Hands Need Colemak
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As for the ergonomic argument, it doesn't seem like the claims made (assuming they're true) have a huge effect on your health (again, you're almost never typing for a continued period of time). You might achieve 50% more key-hand alternation (is that metric even useful?), but when you're typing twenty words at a time, that doesn't come out to very many.
And in the end you have to deal with QWERTY anyway, every time you use a foreign computer.
That said, there's no real reason why QWERTY is intrinsically good either, other than that it's "good enough", and happens to be the standard.
In addition to that, a strong pragmatic point for sticking with QWERTY is that most keyboard shortcuts in editors and other tools are designed with QWERTY in mind.
That said, I really do prefer typing in dvorak. You can feel the difference in number of off-home key presses -- it shows up in your wrists. The difference isn't subtle. "This is a test sentence" has 1 off-home keypress in dvorak and 13 in qwerty. This effect is pronounced enough that passwords, names with foreign spellings, and other types of entropic text are noticeably more awkward to type in dvorak (versus in qwerty, where all text "feels" roughly the same to type). Again, dvorak may not make much of an objective difference as far as health or WPM are concerned, but the feel is enough to make the inconvenience worth it to me.
EDIT: I see the post below me mentions keyboard shortcuts. They were the biggest sticking point for me and they remain the largest compatibility hassle when I have to use a qwerty computer. I would rate the frustration of having to think about shortcuts just slightly below the frustration of having to work with UIs that don't support emacs editing shortcuts, FWIW.
As a Dvorak user, I came to this thread happy to discuss the pros and cons (I usually chime in on these threads). But it bothers me that the top the thread is someone who is so close-minded. Plus its obvious that you have never learned dvorak, so it also bothers me that you got any upvotes at all.
I typed on Sholes keyboards (and typewriters) since the 70s. My typing speed averaged between 135-170 words per minute in US English.
I attempted Dvorak for about a day but the layout is not good for a Unix user as some of the digraphs are pessimal.
When I switched to Colemak, I had a tremendous amount of difficulty undoing 35 years of various habits, good and bad. My first month, I probably averaged about 10wpm. I sent a lot of very short emails and was frequently frustrated.
Finally, my speed became "reasonable" and then I made an even more useful switch. Why bother with changing around the keys on keycaps that are still arranged as if they are driving levers through an inked ribbon onto paper? I looked for "matrix" keyboards and bought a Truly Ergonomic.[1] Aligning the keys with my fingers, wrists, and forearms makes a lot more sense than continuing to follow old design constraints that are harmful for a large number of people.
Now I'm back to typing at a speed where I don't have to wait for words to appear on the page (any more than usual). It's much more comfortable and it's comfortable for a much longer period of time.
As for going to foreign computers, a) it's optimizing for the uncommon case, and b) Colemak is supported by almost every major OS and takes less than a minute to switch on Arch, Windows, or OS X. I do miss it on the iPhone or iPad on-screen keyboard, but it's supported on external keyboards.
[1] I'm not sure I'd buy it again as even the "silent" model is too loud for me. In addition, some of the punctuation keys are in annoyingly odd places and need to be remapped. A number of even more extreme ergo keyboards drop the staggered key layout as well.
I've known two people who repeatedly claimed typing speed doesn't matter - and they put their money where their mouths are! I'd be surprised if either could do even 50WPM.
It accounts for reach and alternation. I just added Colemak in response to this discussion, and from the texts I include in the distribution (some public domain from archive.org), it looks like Colemak is better on reach, Dvorak is better on alternation, and they both spank QWERTY for substantive texts[1].
It's just a quick experiment, I'd love to hear input on methodology.
[0] https://github.com/bak/keyboard_battle
[1]
texts/alice_underground.txt:
colemak:
alternation_effort: 29962
reach_effort: 29403
raw_score: 59365
dvorak:
alternation_effort: 24476
reach_effort: 30312
raw_score: 54788
qwerty:
alternation_effort: 32118
reach_effort: 51842
raw_score: 83960
texts/declaration_of_independence.txt:
colemak:
alternation_effort: 2725
reach_effort: 2469
raw_score: 5194
dvorak:
alternation_effort: 2237
reach_effort: 2693
raw_score: 4930
qwerty:
alternation_effort: 3049
reach_effort: 5129
raw_score: 8178
texts/gullivers.txt:
colemak:
alternation_effort: 100074
reach_effort: 97327
raw_score: 197401
dvorak:
alternation_effort: 81836
reach_effort: 103371
raw_score: 185207
qwerty:
alternation_effort: 110812
reach_effort: 181778
raw_score: 292590
texts/qbf.txt ("the quick brown fox..."):
colemak:
alternation_effort: 9
reach_effort: 22
raw_score: 31
dvorak:
alternation_effort: 13
reach_effort: 21
raw_score: 34
qwerty:
alternation_effort: 11
reach_effort: 30
raw_score: 41 texts/index.html:
colemak:
alternation_effort: 799
reach_effort: 1100
raw_score: 1899
dvorak:
alternation_effort: 695
reach_effort: 1166
raw_score: 1861
qwerty:
alternation_effort: 779
reach_effort: 1490
raw_score: 2269
texts/grunt.js:
colemak:
alternation_effort: 4243
reach_effort: 5588
raw_score: 9831
dvorak:
alternation_effort: 3510
reach_effort: 6226
raw_score: 9736
qwerty:
alternation_effort: 4577
reach_effort: 7373
raw_score: 11950
So yes, lower numbers are better, however I do not have the research to be able to say that a lower raw number is always better. It's entirely possible that alternation matters much, much more than reach---or vice versa---such that a truly meaningful "aggregate score" would involve a multiplier instead of just summing the two.
The best we can say is that, assuming less reach and more alternation are good, Colemak is better on reach, and Dvorak is better on alternation.
I actually suspect that's a fallacy. When you learn & use something new, it's actually confusing when it's similar to something else. I have no issue with typing either Qwerty or Dvorak, but Azerty, where only a few keys are different from Qwerty, drives me nuts.
"Easy to learn – Allows easy transition from QWERTY. Only 2 keys move between hands. Many common shortcuts (including Ctrl+Z/X/C/V) remain the same. Typing lessons available."
But if you have to switch between two layouts regularly then you definitely want something completely-distinct rather than something close-but-not-quite.
It seems like colemak is in the awkward position where you wouldn't even consider it unless you're already comfortable with qwerty, but you're also in a position to stop using qwerty entirely and switch all your keyboard layouts.
Believe it. Go to carpalx's key swaps page ( http://mkweb.bcgsc.ca/carpalx/?partial_optimization ). Make the first change on their list - swap K and E - and use the new layout until your brain gets used to the swap. Once you're comfortable, make the next swap.
Once you've made about 7 swaps you're on a layout that's on par with both Dvorak and Colemak, and you never had to waste a single hour in typing trainers.
Each swap takes me about five hours of typing over about 3 days to get used to. I imagine if your job has you typing all the time, your day-count will be lower. I have currently swapped E/K and O/J, and this post has reminded me to swap F/T as well.
There are plenty of keyboard remappers available for windows and osx, and it's not difficult to do yourself in linux either.
Thoughts on changing keyboard layouts:
1) If you're gonna do it, I agree with this article, touch typing = #1 priority. You're not going to see a colemak keyboard, most likely.
2) QWERTY actually seems to work pretty well for big thumbs on a small screen. I don't use tablets, so I don't know the state of affairs on Android or iOS keyboard layouts. This has notably not been a problem for me, even though I was initially concerned about using BlackBerrys (oh 2005 me..)
3) IRC/Instant Messaging are a massive way to learn how to type because you'll prioritize learning words that you type often, and natural patterns for you.
4) Buy a better keyboard if you're gonna go to this effort for your hands. I swear by my Kinesis Advantage Pro.
This process is frustratingly slow, but after ~3 weeks of going cold turkey, I have not once switched back. I was even a sysadmin for 1000's of desktops in labs, and it took 2 seconds to switch them to dvorak and back.
Finally, while we're at it, if your company offers ergonomic consulting, DO IT! You'll be amazed how much more comfortable your typing is when you've fixed how you sit, your monitor height, and your keyboard tray.
From TFA:
The keys in Colemak are scientifically arranged with the following goals in mind:
...
Typing should alternate between the hands for greater speed and comfortI did find this page[1] on the wiki, and it appears that Colemak does way better than QWERTY, and worse than Dvorak. However, this was a test devised by a Dvorak advocate.. so it may be biased as well.
[1]: http://colemak.com/wiki/index.php?title=Hand_alternation
i have an kinesis advantage pro too, hence i am wondering why you are using a keyboard tray and which one?
maybe you could answer two problems i can see with dvorak: a) home row changes. isn't this a big problem in vim, as in, you have to re-map basically every shortcut (otherwise you are basically de-dvoraking) b) wouldn't you need different dvorak layouts for different tasks? ruby needs different keys on the homerow than java, which is different to plain english which is then different to plain german etc
thank you
I don't remember which one, it's a huge flat thing that just looks like a big surfboard. I can try to find out later.
Why I use it is simple: when sitting with correct posture, the distance between my eyes and my resting hands is further than just using my desk allowed. The keyboard tray lowers the keyboard further without having to lower the entire desk and raising the monitor to a comical height.
> a) home row changes. isn't this a big problem in vim, as in, you have to re-map basically every shortcut (otherwise you are basically de-dvoraking)
I found an easy solution for this, see the bottom of my vimrc: https://github.com/codemac/config/blob/master/vimrc
noremap d h
noremap h j
noremap t k
noremap n l
noremap k d
noremap l n
noremap j t
noremap ^Wd ^Wh
noremap ^Wh ^Wj
noremap ^Wt ^Wk
noremap ^Wn ^Wl
inoremap ^] ^[A
inoremap ð ^N
> b) wouldn't you need different dvorak layouts for different tasks? ruby needs different keys on the homerow than java, which is different to plain english which is then different to plain german etc
You must answer the question for yourself: How much english vs. ruby vs. java do I type?
For me? most of my variables are English based, and all my symbols ()[]@$& etc.. are all in different places on a Kinesis keyboard anyways.
There may be a case for specialized layouts, but I think the amount of English that is keyed far outweighs any specialization.
One thing people say is that Dvorak is supposed to reduce errors, but having all of the vowels right next to each other and all of the most common letters in the most common places actually means that it is fairly common for me to write a different real word than a clear misspelling, which plays havoc with auto-correct and spell checkers. And yes, Android can be set up with a Dvorak keyboard using Anysoft keyboard and the alternative us layout extension.
I will never get over the fact that 'ls' are both letters for your right pinky, very annoying for you Unixers.
On top of this, as a heavy vi user, the main navigation keys are no longer on the home row for either Colemak or Dvorak, which means I either need to make my editing far less efficient, or remap nearly every key.
I have had many very intelligent people attempt to explain the switch to Dvorak to me, and never heard a good reason to invest the time. I am curious if folks invested the same amount of concentrated time improving their QWERTY skills (relative to the amount of time folks spend learning a new layout) if there would be a similar speed improvement.
I sometimes consider changing layouts but it all comes back to that one simple statement. I don't touch type and I still hit the 120 WPM sweetspot on QWERTY - but I feel that any benefit of Dvorak/Colemak would be wasted if I didn't also learn to touch type.
I fear it would be a lot of work for no discernible benefit other than geek cred.
I literally never had the thought, "If only I could type faster, I could get this done more quickly..."
I think few slow typists would have had that literal thought either. I know I never did as I approached up to my ceiling of about 70wpm.
If you're a heavy vi user, it's probably not worth it, but if you weren't and you did a lot of typing it might be worth it to see if it helps with comfort. Also, what's wrong with the fun of trying new things?
It's sort of like the much-talked-about switch to reverse scrolling in OS X. You may think it's a big deal, but your brain makes the adjustment, and it just doesn't matter. Your vi editing efficiency should be pretty nearly unaffected. It might be very fractionally slower, since the navigation keys aren't on the home row, but .. I never notice it at all. It's definitely not far less efficient.
Not arguing that you should switch, incidentally. I could also touch type 100+ wpm on QWERTY. I never regained my original speed after switching. That's very common for very fast typists. If you don't put systematic effort into speed training, you'll lose some speed for switching. Not that it's that big of a deal.
I mainly program and email at work, and Colemak was my recommended keyboard by the analyzer listed in here. Loving the layout, feels easier on the hands, and a big plus for me is my most used keyboard shortcuts remain the same seeing as the bottom row is almost identical.
Negatives is I find it hard to switch back to qwerty on demand on foreign computers where colemak isn't set. Have to resort to hunt/peck, but hey at least any keyboard you come across will be labeled correctly.
I'm planning on going back to qwerty for a week sometime and then keep using it occasionally to keep in fresh to try to get around the issue of using other computers.
My recommendation? Start with it at home with the basics where productivity won't matter much, once you have the basics down where you know where each key is you just are slow/inconsistent to it switch work over. I then saw a rapid increase by using it so much. The layout is great! :) And if you might run into other computers try to keep QWERTY up with using it occasionally.
Oh, and it will piss off others who use your computer, so make sure you have separate profiles set up at home so it's not a language bar war. Wife and I used to just both use the one account.
I had a burst of ergonomic problems that made me switch. I have had zero problems since, and I work just as many hours.
I can recommend colemak.
I learned it by typing a novel from an author I wanted to learn writing style from (Murakami, pinball 1973). Took me maybe a month.
Now I want to switch to Colemak :/
This is from a German that runs everything with a qwerty US english layout, because Germany uses a crappy qwertz layout where really every interesting character for programmers leads to pain and suffering to compose. What I get ~reasonably~ fine from US qwerty:
@{}[]~`/\|;':"
That's my measurement for any keyboard layout I'd be willing to try: If these letters are hard to type I cannot be bothered to switch, even if I certainly do type more prose than the chars above.
Bottom line: I get to use Colemak all the time that I want, and I never have a problem with mobile devices. Win-win!
During that transition period you do not have to use Colemak exclusively. You're practicing a new motor skill, and the returns on such practice diminish rapidly after an hour or so per day.
Once you've learned Colemak, you will have to use QWERTY for just a short time each day to make sure you keep those neural pathways from decaying. I did not do this, and I regret it. I do alright on a QWERTY keyboard though; it just slows me down a bit. On a mobile device, it really doesn't make any difference, since the letters are in front of my eyes.
The first layout was a simple minded alphabetical layout which jammed, so QWERTY was designed to let typists go fast AND not have the mechanical stuff jam up.
This is promising, mostly because unchanged x, c, v keys.