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DVORAK.TXT
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1996-01-30
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THE HISTORY OF DVORAK KEYBOARD LAYOUTS
--------------------------------------
Dvorak keyboard layouts are based on designs created by August Dvorak, a
professor at the University of Washington during the 1930s and 1940s. Dr.
Dvorak studied the way people type standard English, and determined the
most common letter combinations. He then designed new keyboard layouts to
maximise efficiency (by placing common letters on the home row), reduce
fatigue, and make the stronger fingers of the hands do most of the work.
These layouts, now called Dvorak or simplified keyboards, were initially
developed for two-handed typists. Following World War II, Dvorak layouts
were developed for typists who use the right or left hand alone.
SOME FUNNY AND SAD FACT OF QWERTY KEYBOARD
------------------------------------------
It is well known that the QWERTY keyboard was designed by Christopher
Sholes to slow typists down, to prevent them from jamming the keys in old
manual typewriters.
It is surprised that part of the QWERTY layout was driven by the decision
to place all of the letters in the word "typewriter" on the top row so that
salesmen wouldn't have to hunt and peck.
INSTALLING A DVORAK KEYBOARD LAYOUT FOR MS-DOS OR MS-WINDOWS
------------------------------------------------------------
The MS-DOS Supplemental Disk provides the DVORAK.SYS file. This
file supports the Dvorak keyboard layouts for two-handed and
single-handed typists who use MS-DOS 6.
To install a United States (US) Dvorak keyboard layout for MS-DOS:
1. Run the Setup program included with the Supplemental disk files.
For example, if your Supplemental disk files are on a floppy
disk for drive A, insert the disk in drive A, and change to
that drive by typing the following at the command prompt:
A:
To run the Setup program, you need to specify the drive and directory
to which you want to install the files. For example, if you want to
install the files on drive C in a directory called SUPP, type
the following at the command prompt:
SETUP C:\SUPP
Follow the instructions on your screen.
2. Copy the DVORAK.SYS file to the directory that contains your
MS-DOS files. For example, if the file is in C:\SUPP and your
MS-DOS files are contained in C:\DOS, type the following at
the command prompt:
COPY C:\SUPP\DVORAK.SYS C:\DOS\DVORAK.SYS
3. To begin using one of the new keyboard layouts, type the
appropriate command (as shown in the table below) at the MS-DOS
command prompt and press ENTER.
Keyboard Layout Command
---------------------------------------------------------
Two-handed Dvorak KEYB DV,,C:\DOS\DVORAK.SYS
Right-handed Dvorak KEYB RH,,C:\DOS\DVORAK.SYS
Left-handed Dvorak KEYB LH,,C:\DOS\DVORAK.SYS
To load one of these keyboard layouts automatically when your computer starts,
include the appropriate KEYB command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. The KEYB
command should be placed after a PATH command that includes your MS-DOS
directory. If your AUTOEXEC.BAT file includes the win or dosshell command,
make sure the KEYB command comes before the WIN or DOSSHELL command.
Once you have loaded one of the Dvorak layouts, you can easily switch between
the Dvorak layout and the U.S. standard layout.
* To switch back to the U.S. standard layout, press CTRL+ALT+F1.
* To switch to the Dvorak layout, press CTRL+ALT+F2.
* To disable the United States (U.S.) Dvorak keyboard layout
for MS-DOS
* To disable the United States (U.S.) Dvorak keyboard layout
for MS-DOS, delete the line with the KEYB command from your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
If you are using Windows 3.1, the Dvorak layout is a part of the operating
system.
To activate the Dvorak layout in Windows, follow these steps:
1. Go to the Control Panel
2. Select "International"
3. Select "Country = US"
4. Select "Language = English (American)"
5. Select "Keyboard = US Dvorak"
The first time you do this, you may be asked to insert an installation
disk. This is one of the disks that came with Windows (or with your computer,
if Windows was preinstalled).
TURNING TO USE THE DVORAK KEYBOARD LAYOUTS
-------------------------------------------
Essentially, the Dvorak keyboard is a style of typing. Actually, you don't
really have to buy an actual Dvorak keyboard. You are going to type in the
Dvorak typing style, the most efficient typing style.
Dr Dylan James recommended against labelling your keys,
but rather to print out the layout and keep the piece of paper next to you as
you type. This is what a Dvorak typing teachers wanted you to do in the first
place (if you join a class) and it really works. This is a very effective way
to help you resist the temptation to look at the keyboard.
Before you decide to turn to Dvorak keyboard, there are some realistic things
you have to think about, and then sort them out.
If you are a secretary, or a professional typist using computer, you or your
colleague may have to spend several minutes to install a Dvorak drive program,
since by default, most computer system present as a QWERTY system. No matter
how a little trouble in the very beginning, just think about the benefits that
will come several weeks later, more efficiency, more money, less tiredness, less
typing injury, more joy. My advice to anyone considering switching is to
choose a non-stressful week or two in which maximum typing speed isn't
required. This will keep you from temporarily switching back when you get
frustrated, which would wreak havoc with your learning.
If you are a boss and want your staff work more efficiently, you are the right
person to encourage them to turn to the Dvorak keyboard. Maybe they are very
busy at the moment, learning to type Dvorak may consume many hours, so, you
may choose a non-stressful week to start to promote the Dvorak.
If you are a student, and just can use network computer in the school, it may
be hard for you to install a Dvorak program to the computer system. You may
have to ask the administrator of the network to install it. If you can ask
some comrades, it may be much easier.
If you are a person who have to always go around various computer system and
type a lot, it may be a big trouble for you to ask various managers to install
Dvorak drive program, forge the Dvorak as I did.
If you always stick on the same platform, say, you are a home computer user,
the Dvorak will be your best choice to save typing time, then you can play
more games, play more with your family members.
--------------------------------------
Here, I thank Mr Dan Wood who provided an excellent course in Dvorak.
Zijian Huang
30 January 1996