Dvorak Simplified Keyboard

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Dvorak Simplified Keyboard (pronounced /'dvoræk/) is a keyboard layout patented in 1936 by Dr. August Dvorak, a professor of Education at the University of Washington, and William Dealey as an alternative to the more common QWERTY layout. It has also been called the Simplified Keyboard or American Simplified Keyboard, but is commonly known as the Dvorak keyboard or Dvorak layout. The Dvorak keyboard layout became easier to access in the computer age. Currently, all major Operating Systems (such as Apple Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux and BSD) ship with Dvorak keyboard layout in addition to the standard QWERTY layout. DSK has failed to displace the QWERTY standard.

Contents 1 Overview 2 Original Dvorak layout 3 Modern operating systems 4 Resistance to change 5 One-handed versions 6 Other languages 7 World record 8 See also 9 References 10 External links 10.1 Typing tutors with Dvorak support 10.1.1 Freeware 10.1.2 Online 10.2 Dvorak tools 10.3 Comparison to QWERTY 10.4 Controversy 10.5 Foreign language layouts

[edit] Overview

The Dvorak layout was designed to address the problems of inefficiency and fatigue which characterized the QWERTY keyboard layout. The QWERTY layout was introduced in the 1860s, being used on the first commercially-successful typewriter, the machine invented by Christopher Sholes. The QWERTY layout was designed so that successive keystrokes would alternate sides of the keyboard so as to avoid jams. Some sources also claim that the QWERTY layout was designed to slow down typing speed to further reduce jamming.^[1]

With improvements in typewriter design, key jams became less of a problem. However, when the electric typewriter was introduced in the 1930s, typist fatigue became more of a problem and, consequently, interest in the Dvorak layout increased.

Dvorak studied letter frequencies and the physiology of people's hands and created a layout to adhere to these principles:

• It is easier to type letters alternating between hands.
• For maximum speed and efficiency, the most common letters and digraphs should be the easiest to type. This means that they should be on the home row, which is where the fingers rest, and under the strongest fingers.
• Likewise, the least common letters should be on the bottom row, which is the hardest row to reach.
• The right hand should do more of the typing, because most people are right-handed.
• It is more difficult to type digraphs with adjacent fingers than non-adjacent fingers.
• Stroking should generally move from the edges of the board to the middle. An observation of this principle is that when tapping fingers on a table, it is easier going from little finger to index than vice versa. This motion on a keyboard is called inboard stroke flow.

The layout was completed in 1932 and was granted U.S. Patent 2,040,248  in 1936. It was designated an alternate standard keyboard layout by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 1982; the standard is X3.207:1991 (previously X4.22-1983), "Alternate Keyboard Arrangement for Alphanumeric Machines". The original ANSI Dvorak layout was available as a factory-supplied option on the original IBM Selectric typewriter.^[specify]

In 1984, the Dvorak layout had an estimated 100,000 users.^[2]

[edit] Original Dvorak layout

The layout standardized by the ANSI differs from the original or "classic" layout devised by Dvorak. Today's keyboards have more keys than the original typewriter did, and other significant differences existed:

• The numeric keys of the classic Dvorak layout are:

7 5 3 1 9 0 2 4 6 8

• In the classic Dvorak layout, the question mark key [?] is in the leftmost position of the upper row, while the slash mark key [/] is in the rightmost position of the upper row.
• The following symbols share keys (the second symbol being printed when the SHIFT key is pressed):
  • colon [:] and question mark [?]
  • ampersand [&] and slash [/]
  • comma [,] and semicolon [;]

Modern U.S. keyboard layouts almost always place semicolon and colon together on a single key and slash and question mark together on a single key.

[edit] Modern operating systems

According to Microsoft, versions of the Windows operating system including Windows 98 and Windows NT 3.51 and higher have shipped with support for the U.S. Dvorak layout [1]; users of earlier Windows versions must download a free update from Microsoft to use the layout.

Many operating systems based on UNIX, including OpenBSD, FreeBSD, Plan 9, and most GNU/Linux distributions, can be configured to use either the U.S. Dvorak layout or the UK/British Dvorak Layout.

Apple brought new interest to the Dvorak layout with the Apple IIc, which had a mechanical switch whereby the user could switch back and forth between the QWERTY layout and the ANSI Dvorak layout. Since about 1998, beginning with Mac OS 8.6, Apple has included the Dvorak layout with Mac OS. In Mac OS X, the option of a Dvorak layout that switches to Qwerty when the Apple key is pressed preserves the ease of Copy/Paste and other shortcuts.

[edit] Resistance to change

Although the Dvorak layout is the only other keyboard layout registered with ANSI, and is provided with all major operating systems, attempts to convert universally to the Dvorak layout have not been met with success. The failure of the Dvorak layout to displace the QWERTY layout has been the subject of some studies, and considerable debate.

However, in considering resistance to the adoption of the Dvorak layout, different segments of the market (non-typists, typists, corporations and manufacturers) differ in the extent, nature and motivation of their resistance. Furthermore, the influence of these factors on the different segments of the market have changed over time, following changes in technology and awareness of Dvorak as an alternative keyboard layout. Resistance factors mitigating against adoption of the Dvorak layout have included these:

1. Failure to demonstrate an overwhelming inherent superiority in speed, economy of effort, and accuracy - noting that the significant issue here is the demonstrability. There have been very few studies done on the relative efficiency of each of the keyboard layouts, and those studies have been criticised for failing to adhere to rigorous academic standards.
2. Failure to achieve "awareness" in the general population of the existence of the Dvorak layout prior to the publication of Barbara Blackburn's achievement of 212 wpm using a Dvorak keyboard in the Guinness Book of Records in 1985. More widespread knowledge only came about in the mid 1990s when PCs started to incorporate the Dvorak layout as an option.
3. Failure to overcome an investment in competence in the QWERTY layout made by an overwhelmingly large number of typists and typist trainers prior to the advent of the Dvorak layout. This investment once established, and thereafter maintained by the typewriter manufacturers, has proved the most powerful influence up until the 1990s. Typing training in schools and secretarial colleges is usually done on the QWERTY layout because it conforms both with the expectation of industry, and because it reflects the competence of the teachers or trainers. It is possible^[3], but not common, for typists competent in the QWERTY layout to train themselves in the Dvorak layout, simply because the emphasis in typing has traditionally been on speed and accuracy. The only widely accepted superiority of Dvorak layouts is in the area of very high speeds that the bulk of typists do not aspire to, nor are expected to achieve. A reduction in efficiency while learning the Dvorak layout further mitigates against its adoption by typists already competent using QWERTY (and the organisations that employ them). Notably with the advent of self-teach typing programs on PCs the degree of influence that the QWERTY layout has in formal training is reducing, as nearly all of these programs come with Dvorak layout options.
4. Failure to persuade large typewriter manufacturers to produce significant volumes of typewriters equipped with Dvorak layouts. It would be sufficient to argue that the manufacturers were responding to the large user base of the QWERTY layout, rather than giving regard to the plausible but unproven assertion that typewriter manufacturers had a vested interest in ensuring that typists could not type faster than the machines could respond mechanically. The advent of PCs created the opportunity to use computer programs to change the value that was registered when a particular key on the keyboard was pressed. By the mid 1990s the Dvorak layout was an installable option on most computer systems. Touch typists proficient in using the Dvorak layout, in common with all touch typists, do not need to look at keyboards, and hence could set a PC to operate using Dvorak mode while using keyboards manufactured and labelled in the QWERTY layout. A traditional QWERTY-layout typist will however find this keyboard almost impossible to use, as nearly every key they press will result in a different value being registered by a PC than they expect. Some Dvorak-layout typists have noted this provides some degree of security against unauthorised use of their PCs. Others, however, physically modify their keyboards to match the Dvorak layout. On many modern operating systems, it is possible to switch keyboard layouts "on the fly," without the installation of additional software or reconfiguration. "On the fly" switching is very convenient if a computer is shared by users accustomed to different layouts: without it, a person who types on another person's machine may see gibberish on the screen.
5. Incompatibility between the two keyboard layouts on computers, where keys are assigned additional functions within software programs. In some cases related additional functions are assigned to keys which are physically proximate on the QWERTY layout, but which are no longer physically proximate when using the Dvorak layout. the Unix text editor vi uses the keys H, J, K and L to cause movement to the left, down, up, and right, respectively. With a QWERTY layout, these keys are all together under the right hand home row, but with the Dvorak layout they are no longer neatly together. In many video games, keys W, A, S and D are used for arrow movements, as they are arranged in an inverse-T position in a QWERTY layout. In Dvorak layout, this is no longer true. Keyboard shortcuts in GUIs for undo, copy, cut and paste operations are Ctrl + Z, C, X, and V respectively; conveniently located in the same row in the QWERTY layout, but not on a Dvorak layout. Some of these issues can be overcome with programming solutions, but it adds a layer of complexity to using some computer applications with the Dvorak layout.
6. Poor OS integration with foreign languages. For example, on Windows XP, one can use the Japanese IME to type Japanese, but only in QWERTY, even if Dvorak is otherwise specified as the default keyboard layout.
7. Some confusion regarding which of the keyboard layouts designed by August Dvorak is the "real" Dvorak layout. This arose in part due to the existence of, in addition to the standard layout, layouts for left-handed (only) and right-handed (only) use. Also, while Dvorak specified a particular layout for the number sequence at the top of the keyboard, many implementations of the Dvorak layout retain the '1,2,3...9,0' arrangement.

An appreciation of the strength of the resistance factors (particularly the investment in typewriter manufacturing) suggests that the Dvorak layout would need to have been significantly superior to the QWERTY layout in order for the former to displace the latter in widespread use in the past. Logically, if the Dvorak layout was inherently at least as – or more – efficient as the QWERTY layout then we should see an increasing rate of use as resistance factors (such as lack of awareness, non-programmable machines, and one-style formal training) become less powerful. Unfortunately there are no surveys or studies looking at the rate of use of the Dvorak layout over time.

A discussion of the Dvorak layout is sometimes used as an exercise by management consultants to illustrate the difficulties of change. The Dvorak layout is often used as a standard example of network effects, particularly in economics textbooks, the other standard example being the competition between Betamax and VHS. These examples (particularly QWERTY) are used to demonstrate that inferior technologies sometimes succeed because they get locked-in to the market. Stanley J. Liebowitz and Stephen E. Margolis, two economists who have investigated these claims in several academic and popular papers, argue that the actual evidence in these cases does not support a claim of market failure or vendor lock-in; as they put it, "the claim that Dvorak is a better keyboard is supported only by evidence that is both scant and suspect," ^[4] but the validity of these suppositions have been called into question. ^[5]. All sides of this arguments suffer, however, from a lack of well designed studies on the relative strengths of the Dvorak and QWERTY layouts, and of surveys of the rate of use of the Dvorak layout over time.

Besides the Dvorak layout, there are other alternative keyboard layouts, such as Colemak. However, none of these alternative layouts has become widely used.

[edit] One-handed versions

There are also Dvorak arrangements designed for one-handed typing, which can provide increased accessibility for those who have difficulty with typical keyboards. Other users enjoy the ability to simultaneously type and control a mouse. Separate arrangements have been designed for each hand.

Note: The layouts depicted above are available under Microsoft Windows. There is another layout that is slightly different, where the numbers form three columns.

[edit] Other languages

In addition, Dvorak-based keyboard layouts have been created for languages other than English.

An implementation for Swedish, known as Svorak [2], places the three extra Swedish vowels (å, ä and ö) on the leftmost three keys of the upper row, which correspond to punctuation symbols on the English Dvorak layout. These punctuation symbols are then juggled with other keys, and the Alt-Gr key is required to access some of them.

Another Swedish version, Svdvorak by Gunnar Parment, keeps the punctuation symbols as they were in the English version; the first extra vowel (å) is placed in the far left of the top row while the other two (ä and ö) are placed at the far left of the bottom row.

The Swedish variant that most closely resembles the American Dvorak layout is Thomas Lundqvist's sv_dvorak, which places å, ä and ö like Parment's layout, but keeps the American placement of most special characters.

The Norwegian implementation (known as "Norsk Dvorak") is similar to Parment's layout, with "æ" and "ø" replacing "ä" and "ö".

A Finnish DAS keyboard layout [3] follows many of Dvorak's design principles, but the layout is an original design based on the most common letters and letter combinations in the Finnish language. Matti Airas has also made another layout for Finnish. Finnish can also be typed reasonably well with the English Dvorak layout if the letters ä and ö are added.

There are some non standard Brazilian Dvorak keyboard layouts currently in development. The simpler design (also called BRDK) is just a Dvorak layout plus some keys from the Brazilian ABNT2 keyboard layout. Another design, however, was specifically designed for writing Brazilian Portuguese, by means of a study that optimized typing statistics, like frequent letters, trigraphs and words.^[6]

The most common German Dvorak layout is the German Type II layout. It is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. There is also the NEO layout [4] and the de ergo layout [5], both original layouts that also follow many of Dvorak's design principles.

There are also French [6] and Spanish [7] layouts.

[edit] World record

As of 2005, Barbara Blackburn is the fastest typist in the world, according to The Guinness Book of World Records. Using a Dvorak Simplified Keyboard, she has maintained 150 words per minute for 50 min, 170 word/min for shorter periods of time, and has been clocked at a peak speed of 212 word/min. Blackburn failed her typing class in high school, first encountered the Dvorak layout in 1938, quickly learned to achieve very high speeds, and occasionally toured giving speed-typing demonstrations during her secretarial career.

[edit] See also

• Alternative layouts
• Keyboard layout
• QWERTY
• Touch typing
• Velotype
• Maltron keyboard
• Repetitive strain injury
• Path dependence

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• DvZine.org - A website advocating the Dvorak layout with a webcomic zine
• The Dvorak Keyboard - A Brief Primer - by journalist Randy Cassingham
• The Dvorak Keyboard and You - More information about the Dvorak keyboard and how to switch
• Introducing the Dvorak Keyboard - with many additional links, including information on many methods of reconfiguring your computer (various OSs) to use Dvorak
• Make Mine Dvorak -- An MSN Slate (magazine) editorial.
• Photograph: August Dvorak and typing class at University of Washington, Seattle (November 14, 1932)
• Doomtech.net's guide to learning Dvorak, including instructions on installing both English and Norwegian Dvorak on Linux, Windows and Mac OS X.

[edit] Typing tutors with Dvorak support

[edit] Freeware

• DvorakNG - A free, open-source typing tutor for Linux.
• Dvorak7min - A free, open-source typing tutor for Linux.
• TypeFaster - A free, open source typing tutor for Windows.
• Stamina Typing Tutor 2.5 - Freeware typing tutor for Windows
• KP Typing Tutor for DOS - Freeware version for MS-DOS
• KTouch - Another free, open-source typing tutor for Linux. This software is part of the KDE Educational suite.

[edit] Online

• A Basic Course in Dvorak - by Dan Wood
• A Basic Course in Dvorak (split into individual lessons) - by Dan Wood (split by Jeff Bigler of MIT)
• A Basic Course in Dvorak (with words per minute timing and accuracy rate) - by Dan Wood (functionality by Ned Friend)
• An Online Course in Dvorak - You don't need to change your layout to Dvorak to use this. It's also available in twenty languages.
• PowerTyping - Flash-based Online Typing Tutor for Qwerty and Dvorak. Includes typing games.
• Hebrew Keyboard Tutor - Shows several keyboard layouts -- good for comparing various keyboards

[edit] Dvorak tools

• QWERTY to Dvorak converter - a Java applet that will convert the input in real time and test your typing speed
• Qwerty to Dvorak Online Converter - a little real-time input converter that works through simple JavaScript
• Online Qwerty to Dvorak Converter - another javascript tool that includes basic text editing features (IE only)
• QWERTY to Dvorak converter - Use this to convert already-typed blocks of text
• Dvorak Assistant - Free Windows utility to toggle Qwerty/Dvorak without administrative access or modifying system settings
  • Quicker Access to Dvorak Assistant - Short, easy-to-remember links that are helpful when using public computers
• Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator to design one's own layout
• Dvorak with Qwerty-based Ctrl Key Support - Dvorak keyboard layout that reverts to QWERTY for Ctrl Key shortcuts, thereby solving some compatibility problems

[edit] Comparison to QWERTY

• Dvorak vs QWERTY Tool - A tool to compare the efficiency of Dvorak, QWERTY and Colemak
• Qwerty/Dvorak Typing Analyzer - Accepts typed and pasted content.
• Dvorak and Qwerty Finger Movement Distances - Accepts typed and pasted content
• Words Possible on Dvorak and Qwerty Home Rows
• Dvorak vs. Qwerty - A comparison of the two keyboard layouts
• Barbara Blackburn, the World's Fastest Typist
• Peter Klausler ran an evolutionary algorithm with startling results
• Keyboard Compare Applet for Dvorak and Qwerty Keyboards (on Jon A. Maxwell's site)

[edit] Controversy

• The Curse of Qwerty by Jared Diamond provides the traditional story of the history of the typewriter including the claim of superiority of the Dvorak keyboard.
• The Fable of the Keys - Article by Liebowitz and Margolis questioning the Dvorak keyboard's superiority.
  • The Fable of the Fable - Web page questioning the credibility of Fable of the Keys.
• Typing Errors - Article in Reason Magazine by Liebowitz and Margolis alleging evidence against the Dvorak layout's superiority.
  • Cassingham letter Letter to the editor of Reason Magazine by Randy Cassingham criticizing the claims made by Liebowitz and Margolis.
  • Market failure again? an article of Gene Callahan in defense of the free market, stating that the Dvorak-technology was not technologically superior.
• QWERTY and Path Dependence (EH.Net Economic History encyclopedia)

[edit] Foreign language layouts

• Finnish DAS layout
• Finnish Matti Airas layout
• SHIAR.org, Spanish, German, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish and Esperanto Dvorak layouts
• New Zealand/Aotearoa Māori Dvorak layout
• UK, United States-International, and US One-Hand Latin-9 Dvorak layouts for Windows.
• A UK Dvorak layout for Mac OS X 10.2 and up.
• A proposal for a Hebrew optimized layout
• Hungarian Dvorak layout (offline)
• Another Hungarian Dvorak layout with installation instructions
• Thomas Lundqvist's Swedish Dvorak layout
• Spanish Dvorak layout Included into the new Linux distributions like dvorak(es). Derived from a normal qwerty keyboard.
• Dvorak international extended layout Adds dead key support and all characters available in the US-international layout to US-Dvorak without breaking anything.