Alternative Keyboard Layouts

The traditional QWERTY keyboard layout has passed into global use with barely an eyebrow raised. But just think about it for a second: why lay out the keyboard in such a peculiar way? The QWERTY arrangement is a hangover from the days of manual typewriters, a keyboard layout designed to slow typers down and prevent mangling of the delicate mechanism. This is not a problem for modern devices, so maybe it is time to consider alternative keyboard layouts.

Dvorak simplified keyboard

Designed in 1936 by educational psychologist August Dvorak, the Dvorak layout set out to overcome the problems of the QWERTY keyboard. The result is an arrangement that reduces finger travel, increases the word-per-minute rate and benefits from reduced errors. It might take a little getting used to, but the benefits make it worthwhile.

Colemak

Colemak is a possible solution for those unwilling or unable to completely leave behind the old QWERTY layout. It seeks to balance an improvement in typing speed and reduction in typing errors with a shallower learning curve.

NEO

The NEO keyboard layout is a user-driven solution based on the needs of non-English speaking typers. The arrangement of letters suits German speakers down to the level, but English speakers still find that the NEO layout has considerable advantages over QWERTY.

Chorded keyboards

Several alternative keyboard layouts completely dispense with the old 10 by three arrangement and seek to put the keys in positions more suited to the human hand. With as few as four keys, chorded keyboards rely on several keys pressed at once to render the correct letter. This approach particularly suits anyone wanting to avoid repetitive strain injury.

There are an incredible number of keyboard layouts, some designed to suit non-English speakers and some designed to undo the harm of the outmoded QWERTY layout. People do not have to stick with QWERTY when there are so many useful alternatives.