Dvorak FAQ

How can I keep QWERTY shortcuts?
How can I install Dvorak layout in Windows?
What can I do if I need to use somebody else’s computer or to work in the Internet café?
Where can I buy a Dvorak keyboard?

How can I keep QWERTY shortcuts?

If you want your keyboard shortcuts to still use Qwerty so that editing would be easier and so that your computer games would work without having to switch keyboard driver all of the time, you can do the following.

Install Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator
Run it, and open an existing keyboard layout with the key mapping that you want. Modify if need be.
For each key in turn, right click on it, select properties, tick on the advanced view tick box. Change the scan code field to be the same as the scan code field for the same key on a qwerty keyboard layout (it helps to load a second instance of Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator to help you do this.)
Build and install.
Select the new keyboard layout through 'text services and input languages' in the Control Panel.

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How can I install Dvorak layout in Windows?

Windows XP

Select Start → Control Panel.
Click Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options.
Click Regional and Language Options.
Select the Languages tab.
Click Details.
Click Add.
Select United States-Dvorak (or Left- or Right-handed), then click OK.
If you want it to be default, select United States-Dvorak again in the Default input language pull-down.
Click OK to close the control panel.

Windows 2000

Select Start → Settings, and then select Control Panel
Open the Regional Options panel.
Select the Input Locales tab.
Under Installed input locales, click Add.
Under Keyboard layout/IME, select United States-Dvorak (or Left- or Right-handed); then click OK.

Windows 95, 98, and NT 4.0

Go to Start → Settings → Control Panel
Open Keyboard.
Click the Languages tab
Select your language
Select Properties.
Select US Dvorak.

For other systems or more detailed instructions see mwbrooks.com/dvorak/dos.html.

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What can I do if I need to use somebody else’s computer or to work in the Internet café?

Try Dvorak Anywhere. You can do all the typing in Dvorak regardless of the keyboard layout installed on your current computer. Moreover, you can save the page offline and use it any time there is a need.

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Where can I buy a Dvorak keyboard?

If you are hundred percent sure that you need it, here are a few sources:

Ergonomic Dvorak keyboards are not at all cheap. However, don’t fall for low-price keyboards. It is really strange to bother to master a new keyboard layout for the comfort’s sake and choose a low quality or uncomfortable keyboard.

If you would like to save money, just consider a more economic way—to use transparent stickers on a good ergonomic keyboard.

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