Qwerty Keyboards

[Hopkirk]

Am I alone in thinking these are just plain stupid?

[grasscarp]

Too true nungate. Like you I was taught to type. The keys were blank so you had to learn where everything was.

[nungate]

happy days...................

[tenrec]

The most commonly used letters are placed towards the centre of the keyboard for your index fingers. The less used letters are round the edge for your little fingers, with the other letters for the other fingers are in between. Touch typing rules!!

[HowardKennitby]

Some time ago this was addressed by the Dvorak(sp) layout which, I believe, was faster for those properly taught to use it. Other options are the QWERTY but split into 2 halves and curved.
I am still on standard layout; I can't touch-type but am better than 2 fingers.

[lankeela]

has dad had fag? This is one of the first things we were taught to type (without the question mark of course!) using just the middle row before learning other letters up and down the keyboard. I like to show off in the library when I know people are watching how quickly I can type!

[MarkRae]

As has been mentioned, there are alternatives: http://en.wikipedia.o...k_Simplified_Keyboard

[Jan1957]

Reminds me of learning to type at school when I lived in Australia. We had to do it to music and my favourite was the William Tell Overture. Used to make me laugh though.

[bookbinder]

As a matter of interest, the German keyboard is slightly rearranged to accommodate German characters:
http://symbioticpubli...anKeyboardLayout.html

[suechu]

Thanks for the link, Jonnyboy, I managed 76 wpm (with 4 mistakes however) on a notebook keyboard (i.e. cramped).

As I'm starting back at work next week this has given me confidence boost!