I gave it a shot. For over a year, my laptop has been set to use the DVORAK keyboard layout. I heard it could possibly help me type faster or be more ergonomic, but at this point I’m calling it quits.
Compared to my former 71 wpm in QWERTY, my peak in DVORAK is only around 55 wpm. Of course, this is partly because whenever I use any computer other than my own, it’s in QWERTY. If there’s someone who can maintain finger fluency in two keyboard languages, they have all my respect. I’m not like that. And I’m not quite sure what my typing speed on QWERTY has dwindled down to. If there’s a potential to type faster, that’s just in ideal situations. As for any possible ergonomic benefits, that simply doesn’t matter. Switching back and forth between two keyboard layouts does not work.
Goodbye, DVORAK. I’ll miss your home-row words like “the” and “sound”. I’ll miss the lack of single-handed words. But none of my friends like you so it just won’t work out.