Dvorak Keyboard

[macphunky]

I have a standard keyboard remapped via software to the Dvorak layout. I tried using the information the FAQ to get it to work as a dvorak keyboard in X11, but the keymapping isnt stored in a way readable by X11. is there a way to do this?

[wheat]

Let me second that. There are a lot of us out here that use DVORAK. It's an alternate keyboard mapping used by a significant minority of American English typists. It's not a keyboard associated with another language or nationality.

DVORAK mapping is part of Mac OS X 10.2, and you set it under the System Preferences:International control panel, under the Input Menu tab.

HOWEVER, Dvorak (which is not a country or language!) is not a *.keymapping file under Mac OS X.

It's a *.bundle file, which is found under a different directory:

System/Library/Keyboard Layouts/Dvorak.bundle/Contents/Resources
/Dvorak.rsrc

Does anybody know how to get X11 to recognize Apple's setting, without resorting to a custom Xmodmap munge?

Thanks.

[Newbish]

On Nice Reinking's website (http://www.twoevils.org/html/files.php) is the solution, and it is incredibly simple.

In the X11 terminal window, use the command: xmodmap <filename> .

The target file will be a new keyboard map, which is conveniently on Mr. Rienking's site. Get two files:

dvorak.xmodmap
dvorak2qwerty.xmodmap

Both files are actually ascii text files, and the format is so simple, I'm embarrassed that I didn't think of doing this before. (I renamed the second file "undvorak.xmodmap" based on another site reader's suggestion.)

Use the first file to start the Dvorak layout, and the second one to stop it if you have to.

xmodmap dvorak.xmodmap
xmodmap dvorak2qwerty.xmodmap

I didn't really test things out to see if there are any limits. I only jumped back and forth between the two layouts, and it worked harmlessly. No need to reboot or start a new terminal at all, the effect is immediate. I'm sure if you put the above command into your shell's RC file, this will put each new terminal into Dvorak.

I hope this helps. Unfortunately, it might take a little programming or scripting to get X11 to recognize Apple's setting. Seeing as I can't program a lightbulb (on/off), I can't help you there....

[Newbish]

There is one issue you should be aware of!

If you xmodmap dvorak.xmodmap twice in a row, you will map the Dvorak layout upon itself!

This means that instead of the I key being "C," it will be turned into a "J". (Take a long hard look at the files before you run them.)

The way to fix it is to xmodmap dvorak2qwerty.xmodmap the same number of times you Dvoraked.

I won't go into how I discovered this, but I'm sure you can imagine....

<:D

[Newbish]

Okay, now I'm feeling silly.

The keyboard layout files supplied don't exactly match the Apple Dvorak implementation. Mr. Reinking kept some of the symbols such as "-" and "?" in their Qwerty positions, so he could see them on his keyboard.

To fix this, you will have to edit the two files using TextEdit, pico, nano, or emacs or BBEdit, or whatever you prefer to use.

The format is so simple, you should be able to figure out what to do fairly instantly.

Overall, the effect only works in X11, it does not effect your keyboard layout in Aqua or Darwin.

That should cover it, but I'm sure I will think of something else I forgot as soon as I post this. Sorry for the confusion.

[melchior]

does anyone know how to make dvorak the system keyboard?

for example, when beeting into single user mode it still thinks it is a qwerty keyboard...

xmodmap is obviously only for x11, but is there an equivelant?

[macphunky]

well, i know that if you have changed the root users keylayout to dvorak, then the login is dvorak. i dont know if that works for single user mode.

[melchior]

it doesn't =)

changing the root keyboard lang is kinda a necessity, if you ever want to log in =)

i figure the language is probably stored in pram or nvram (i know some other keyboard stuff is)

but i was hoping there is a hack of some sort the same as xmodmap... if someone fest this need for xmodmap, and it is a standard of x11, did no one want to do the same thing with there shell?

[wheat]

I just installed Apple X11 Open Beta 0.2.

This version simply uses the keyboard layout that is chosen in Jaguar (OS X 10.2). No more Xmodmap shenanigans.

This particular problem has been solved, although I'm sure X11 is far from 1.0 status.

[melchior]

in .1 i could right click on in the xterm window and got a drop down menu.

this doesn't work in .2 anyone know anything more about x11? how to get this?

[melchior]

repylyng to my own post, using keyboard emulation ican contral click but my 3-button mouse no longer behaves like a 3-button mouse.... since .3 that is

out of curiosity anyone know how to set the parameter "old function-keys" other than throught the contral+click?

[ArcticStones]

Does anyone know where I can actually purchase a Dvorak keyboard to plug into my PowerBook and/or G4? Is it possible to purchase a set of Dvorak keys for physically altering my PowerBook? I haven’t exactly come across such keyboards in the Apple Store. Are they expensive?

How easy is it to make the switch from QWERTY to Dvorak? I’m 46... But I do a heck of a lot of writing.

Best regards,
ArcticStones

[wheat]

I learned Dvorak around 1987 when I was 23 years old.

Up until that point I could not break 35 words per minute.

After starting Dvorak, I got up to 90 within a year. But my results are atypical. Most people who start out as proficient touch-typists in QWERTY report a 50% increase or so in speed, but they also report less fatigue, because your fingers don't travel as far to cover all the keys!

As far as finding a keyboard with the key caps laid out in Dvorak, they do exist, but I would recommend against it. I never did.

The whole point of learning to touch type in any system is to learn to type without looking at the keyboard at all.

Since I was 13 in 1978, I have never looked at the keys when typing. I look at the piece of paper I'm typing from, or I look at the computer screen.

So use the existing keyboard that you already have, and set the System Preferences: International: Input Menu tab to Dvorak or Dvorak/Qwerty (choose one and stick with it).

YOU MUST get a Dvorak touch-typing training program and work with it 30 minutes a day, every day, for at least a month. Start at the first lesson and keep working and don't skip anything.

Many programs have free trial downloads.

Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor teaches QWERTY or Dvorak. I haven't worked with it but you can check it out.

http://www.tenthumbstypingtutor.com/

[wheat]

Master Key for Mac OS X

http://macinmind.com/MasterKey/#Download

[ecsed]

I also switched from Qwerty to Dvorak. I completely agree wheat, and i sugest a few tutorials... Although... I have absolutely no idea if they are for any OS besides Windows...

Downloadable, colorful, sound and more complex tutor - http://typingsoft.com/download.htm

Easy to use and colorful test that runs in your browser - http://www.powertyping.com/dvorak/typing.html

Basic, plain and simple tutor that runs in your browser - http://gigliwood.com/abcd/abcd.html