Why are computer keyoards not in alphabetical order?

[commonsense]

My 6 year old son recently asked me why a keyboard is set out the way it is, and not organised into alphabetical order??

[elginred]

Apparently it's something to do with the letters we use most often, bein in an easier position to type with.

[sn�gged]

http://www.stupidquestionsanswered.com/answere d/keyboards.htm

[commonsense]

Many thanks guys

[elginred]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_keyboard

[Schutzengel]

The layout of the keyboard is in the order it is, to make it easier for the typists to reach the most used letters with the minimum of movement. Typists use both hands in sequence, and if the layout was in alphabetical order, it would be more difficult, and one hand would be doing more work than the other. Some childrens keyboards are laid out alphabetically, as children tend to type with just one finger. I think this is a mistake, as it is then more difficult to learn to touch-type properly as they grow up when they need the skills for school, university, or work. Hope this helps.

[beso]

Actually the keyboard is layed out less then optimally. Back in the says of typwriters the letters were on mechanical arms that flicked up when the keys were pressed. However they would jam if two were raised at the same time.

The keyboad was adjusted to prevent rapid sequences from being keyed too easily. For example the sequence ed uses the same finger preventing their likely collision if they had been typed with different fingers.