Thoughts on Alternative Keyboard Layouts

I first heard of the Dvorak keyboard layout around the spring of 2011. For those who do not know, it is a keyboard layout created in the 1930's as an alternative to the popular QWERTY layout.

I was intrigued, and pondered switching from QWERTY. How hard would it be after typing QWERTY for roughly 25 years? In the spring of 2012, I was also contemplating switching editors, and decided that if I was going to switch keyboard layouts, it would be better to do that before learning new keyboard bindings as well, so in April 2012 I made the jump.

I spent a few hours learning Dvorak, but I had growing concerns that the common key bindings for things like Copy, Cut, Paste, Quit, etc. wouldn't be convenient on Dvorak. Who knows, because I switched to learning Colemak instead, which kept those common keys in the same place as QWERTY. Also, since only 17 keys are moved from their QWERTY position for Colemak, I thought it might have a lower learning curve.

I started learning Colemak using Master Key. Initially I continued doing QWERTY for work during the day, but after only a few days, I went all in with Colemak. The period of severe productivity limitation lasted about 2-3 weeks for me. At the end of 3 weeks, I could work without too much frustration, but it wasn't until about 7 weeks before I hit speed parity with what I was previously typing with QWERTY.

Eventually I leveled off at about a 10-15% increase in speed over QWERTY. I was hoping for more. But I did notice that my hands rarely felt cramped anymore after a long day at the keyboard. On the downside, I've completely lost the ability to type QWERTY, and while modern operating systems allow for relatively easy switching between layouts, you don't always have control over the computer you are typing on.

People will ask from time to time if I'd do it if I had it to do all over again. It is a tough call. But here is a list of thoughts I have on the matter:

• If you are learning to type for the first time or suffering physical pain from typing, definitely consider a QWERTY alternative. You will be at a much lower risk of repetitive stress injury.

• If you are considering switching simply for speed, it may or may not be worth it. Sure 10-15% sounds good, but I think it depends what kind of typing you do. If you are a professional typist then that increase is very much worth it; as a software developer, much of my time is spent thinking rather than typing.

• If you are looking for productivity increase as a programmer, there are other places to look first before looking at keyboard layouts. Minimize mouse use, master your editor of choice, use text expansion software, etc. If you mastered those, then by all means consider keyboard layout.

• If you frequently find yourself typing on keyboards you don't control, either stick with QWERTY, or try to master the skill of switching between layouts (something I have not been able to do).

• Colemak may not be easier to learn than Dvorak for QWERTY typers, despite those who claim it is. This probably varies from individual to individual. For me, similarity to QWERTY caused me to frequently slip back into QWERTY mindset while making the transition.

• It may be easier to maintain acceptable skills on QWERTY with Dvorak than with Colemak for the same reason just mentioned above.

• Currently, there is more hardware solutions for Dvorak, though I do not think hardware solutions are necessary.

• Currently, iOS does not allow you to switch out the default keyboard for a Dvorak or Colemak keyboard (to the best of my knowledge). This is inconvenient, but not a deal breaker for me, as it isn't touch typing to begin with.

• If still stuck between what layout to learn, consider using a layout analyzer (such as this one) with real samples of common things you type.

The bottom line is I probably would not switch if I had it to do all over. Or, if I did, then I'd most likely consider some version of Dvorak rather than Colemak. Though having not seriously tried Dvorak, I can't stress enough that it is possible Colemak was indeed the better decision. And I don't have any serious regrets. If using an alternative layout is something you want to do, and Colemak looks the most interesting to you, then go for it, you won't suffer any serious consequences; you may, just like me, decide that the benefits don't exceed the hassles by enough margin to warrant the effort.