Ubuntu Tutorials

Many of you know that I’m a dvorak user. Yeah, I use that funny keyboard layout that makes others want to pull their hair out (or punch my lights out!) anytime they sit down to use my machine. It has been just over a year now and I can’t imagine switching back to qwerty. For more information on this funny layout called dvorak, check out the DVZine.org website.

One question that I get all the time is “How do I switch they keyboard mapping?”, which I thought I would answer here.

Change per Session

To change the keyboard mapping on a per-session basis (it will revert once you logout), is by using the setxkbmap utility. To switch to dvorak using setxkbmap, you would type:

setxkbmap dvorak

To switch back to qwerty layout (try) type:

setxkbmap us

System Wide

To make these changes system wide, assuming you’re using Ubuntu, you can use the following:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure console-setup

This will re-install the console-tools package, which will remap your keyboard layout if you select something different. You’ll likely want to select all the default options, other than toggling between US and Dvorak.

Disclaimer: if you set your mapping to Dvorak and can’t switch back its not my fault . Visit the DVzine website for a key mapping for help.

Since my conversion to Dvorak last week I’ve found myself needing to practice as much as possible to retrain myself on a new keyboard layout. My day to day requires quite a bit, but there are also those times when I find I just need some good old fashioned training. For that I use gtypist.

Gtypist supports both QWERTY and awesome–err, I mean, Dvorak layouts so you can practice whichever you prefer. I had used the program from time to time before my switch to test my speed and accuracy. I’m now using it for practice.

To install gtypist you’ll want to install the gtypist package using your favorite method (command line via aptitude or GUI via Synaptic).

sudo aptitude install gtypist

You can run gtypist by using that same command or offer some arguments such as those listed below.

gtypist -e % : default acceptable error percentage (0 - 100, defaults at 3%)

gtypist -s : silent mode. If you find yourself making a lot of errors it can get annoying!

This will come in handy for any of you other brave souls that want to take on the challenge. I know it really is helping me. I’m up to 60wpm on some tests after only a week of use!

So I am sure that many of you have noticed a huge lack in activity coming from this blog over the last week. I apologize for not getting anyone their daily fix, I’m working on it. Ready for the excuses? Here they come.

Last Friday I made the plunge and switched to the Dvorak keyboard layout. It has been an initial struggle but I’m making a lot of progress and my prediction is that I’ll be back to normal by two weeks. I’m actually up to 40-50 wpm average already. Not bad, considering it’s a new keyboard layout.

The quick and dirty way to switch your keyboard layout are outlined below. I suggest everyone check out the above link to see what the Dvorak is all about. My feeling is that it’s very much worth it!

In gnome you’ll want to find the following:

System > Preferences > Keyboard

afterwards you’ll want to select “Add”, find the US and add the Dvorak layout. Note: this will only change settings once you’re logged in. Using the instructions in the comic will allow you to set the global settings.

I’m sorry for the short post today but it’s still a bit slow going on typing and I don’t know the instructions for KDE.

If you switch I do have to say you’re a brave soul & it definitely bumps up your nerd-cred.

Today I decided to try out the Dvorak keyboard layout. From what I’ve read it sounds like it could improve my performance and help avoid in repetetive stress injuries, but we’ll see how that goes. I have decided to use Dvorak for the month of June and track my results. I will test myself and post results weekly on both platforms.

Current QWERTY: ~95wpm avg.

Current Dvorak: ~0