Computer keyboards-are they fit for purpose?

[sp1214]

Most users of computer keyboards do not possess touch typing skills (probably less than 1 % I reckon) so why is the standard a QUERTY layout?

[ACtheTROLL]

because as you said yourself ..... it's the "standard" layout.

it seems that every country in the world uses a similar "scrambled" layout.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout

I've used alpha pads (the old psion) and it was hard to use (even for a poke and hope typist like me)

there have been a few alternatives
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvorak_Simplified _Keyboard

..... sadly the most recent has the same layout / and size as a mobile phone!! aimed at the "yoof" market .... it seems not to be catching on either

[Ethel]

Learning to touch type is easy and rewarding - give it a go - there are plenty of free on line trainers.

[sp1214]

Touch typing may be OK for secretaries but most of us have something else better to do than learn to type. For a newcomer to the keyboard the Querty keyboard must be more bewildering than someone who has mastered the keys. The answer that it has always been done this way is not good enough.

[B00]

Hello splat :-)

Pssst, it's QWERTY ;-)

Do we not though, over a period of time learn to touch type due to the layout of the keyboard? What I mean is, if you notice the most used letters, the vowels, they are within easy reach of your main fingers when you use both hands.

I honestly think that, as you progress, speedwise, using a keyboard with any other formation of the letters would become difficult to naviate.

[sp1214]

Yes you are right, it is QWERTY, wouldn't make a very good typist or even secretary would I. If you were a touch typist then obviously the keyboard is well designed I grant you that, but for two finger typists like myself and millions of others is not ideal. The keyboard was never designed for 2 finger typists in mind. Like the English language it is there so we stick with it.

[jno]

the keyboard was designed so the most common letters were kept apart, so they wouldn't jam (when typed on an early typewriter) at speed. The longest word you can type with the letters on the top line is 'typewriter'.

[weeal]

lol thats like saying Car Maintenance is not easy for secretaries so please can manufacturers re-arrange the innards so as the lassies can do it easier

you wanna do something, you learn it

[bednobs]

dont agree with the letters being conveinient - what about "A" - on old typewrites you had to jam it down with your little finger!

[sp1214]

I can sympathise with you Bednobs. Especially if you suffer from Dupuytren's Contracture of the little finger.