Dvorak keyboard
Most of us are only familiar with one layout of keyboard and that's the one all computers seem to be coming with. It is called "QWERTY", because that how first row of letters starts. But is it the most efficient design for typing? The answer is resounding - NO.
The origin of QWERTY layout is bit anecdotical, but true.
Back in the times when typewriter was being invented, the letters were affixed at the end of long levers connected to typing keys. When typist hit the key, the lever rose and hit the roller over the ink tape and paper and the letter was imprinted on the paper. However, as the typists became more skilled and typed faster, the mechanical parts couldn't keep up and the levers were hitting each other, jamming the typewriter. Therefore the inventors changed the keyboard layout, spreading the most used letters far from each other, thus slowing the typists down. And that is what we have inherited and what we have until today.
But there are more efficient layouts, i.e. Dvorak's keyboard (named after the guy who designed it). The most used letters in English alphabets are grouped together on so called home row, minimizing the distance fingers have to travel. Here is the layout:
If you brave enough to retrain yourself on Dvorak's keyboard you will most likely type faster, but also more comfortably and with less strain on your hands thus reducing the danger of Carpal tunnel syndrome and other health problems related to typing.
Posted bellow are link to several websites giving you more insight into history of keyboard development, but also useful info how to got the Dvorak's keybeard and how to train yourself on it. We will return to this subject and post more relevant information for those interested.
Btw - this text was typed on Dvorak's keyboard :)