Hmm.. I've decided to start learning Dvorak. For those who don't know, Dvorak is an alternate keyboard layout to Qwerty. As most should know, Qwerty was designed to slow typists as the typewriters then couldn't process letters as fast. Thus, Qwerty causes inefficiency and fatigue in typists. There have been studies to prove that Dvorak is faster and more efficient, but there have also been critics that said that these studies are not academically rigorous, blah blah. However, it is worthwhile to note that the world record for the fastest typing speed is 212 wpm, and is recorded on a Dvorak keyboard.
A Dvorak keyboard layout.
Apparently, those already familiar with the Qwerty keyboard will take some time to convert to the Dvorak keyboard (quite common-sensical, really). And I guess I'm quite proficient w/ Qwerty. I think my max typing speed recorded (with those online typing tests) is around 110-120wpm, which really is not bad, I think. According to Wiki:
"An average
typist reaches 50 to 70 wpm, while some positions can require 80 to 95 (usually the minimum required for dispatch positions and other typing jobs), and some advanced typists work at speeds above 120."
Hm.. My speed is close to double that of an average typist, and it qualifies me for positions that require fast typing, and I'm almost at the "advanced typists" level. Muahahaha. Not bad eh?
I'm not really sure about typists' fatigue, injuries, etc., since I don't really type that much anyway, but I do notice that when I'm typing, especially at high speeds, there may be some awkward keystroke combinations that causes many mistakes. Perhaps this can be solved with Dvorak?
I guess if my typing speed really increases significantly, it would have been a worthwhile investment (of time and effort). But I won't know till I try, right? So I'll give it a try. If my typing speed really improves quite significantly (at least >150), I guess I'll recommend it to other people? Lol.... I think it's nice to learn new skills when I'm young, because they say that learning is easier when you're young, right? So might as well.... (:
