hardwired dvorak keyboard?

[FinancialWar]

so I got a new job however, this time I am not allowed to configure windows keyboard layout.

So is there a hardwired dvorak keyboard (mechanical, hopefully) on the market at the moment?

Please do not recommend kinesis.

Thanks.

[FinancialWar]

thank for the reply, have you had any experience with the Qido convertor?

[sordna]

so I got a new job however, this time I am not allowed to configure windows keyboard layout.

So is there a hardwired dvorak keyboard (mechanical, hopefully) on the market at the moment?

Please do not recommend kinesis.

No Kinesis? How about Truly Ergonomic, they say it's programmable. It's shipping next week, so we'll know from reviews soon.

The Rapoo v7 might be a good option. It's programmable, according to this review:

http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1153

[SmallFry]

I'll be selling AIKON controllers soon, that would make any keyboard that you could imagine programmable...:biggrin: Hope you can find what you're looking for.

[Tony]

Can you run .exe? Dvorak assistant will help you toggle between Dvorak and Qwerty

http://sourceforge.net/projects/dvassist/

[Playtrumpet]

I'm just jealous that you have the username dvorak..

[FinancialWar]

no, it has to be on the keyboard hardware level, no messing around with softwares on the pc or OS as the techs can be really jerks and I am only new in this job.

[FinancialWar]

No Kinesis? How about Truly Ergonomic, they say it's programmable. It's shipping next week, so we'll know from reviews soon.

The Rapoo v7 might be a good option. It's programmable, according to this review:

http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1153

I might have to consider kinesis advantage, regarding to typing speed, how do you find this keyboard when compared to normal brown cherry keyboards?

and another important question, do you need OS to switch between qwerty and dvorak with the kinesis?

this listing on ebay says it requires the OS to switch between qwerty/dvorak, I was under the impression that qwerty/dvorak switch on the Kinesis advantage was on the hardware level.

[Tony]

Give the DvorakAssistant.exe for the IT guys to check it and he'll let you use it in your profile. Hopefully your line manager will help you.

[sordna]

I might have to consider kinesis advantage, regarding to typing speed, how do you find this keyboard when compared to normal brown cherry keyboards?

Well, I would say the Kinesis will allow you to type faster because less hand movement is needed. I went from flat keyboards/qwerty to Kinesis/dvorak and the overall change for me was from 80wpm to 100wpm after a few months (till I got used to Dvorak, getting used to the Kinesis took me just 2-3 days).

and another important question, do you need OS to switch between qwerty and dvorak with the kinesis?

Not at all. All programming, layout switching, etc, is done via keystrokes on the keyboard itself.

this listing on ebay says it requires the OS to switch between qwerty/dvorak, I was under the impression that qwerty/dvorak switch on the Kinesis advantage was on the hardware level.

The ebay seller doesn't know what he's talking about. All Kinesis Advantage models are dvorak switchable on the keyboard itself.

Anyway, the Rapoo v7 is mechanical and prrogrammable and supposed to hold the settings in memory, so you can program it in your home, and take it to work.

Another option is this rubber dome keyboard from Fentek: http://www.fentek-ind.com/kbdvorak2ub.htm

Fentek by the way is a great place to for Kinesis keyboards, with free shipping, and they honor the Kinesis no-risk money back guarantee.

[dorkvader]

No experience; but the company that produces it has a solid reputation.

I was considering buying one myself but the shipping charge makes me queasy.

I thought about doing a group buy but I don't know if I could even get 10 people to sign up for one.

It'd probably be just as easy (and a lot cheaper) to build one using a microcontroller.
---

If I were you, I'd talk to HR or the IT people about changing the keyboard layout in windows. I imagine the paranoid computer guys would balk at any .EXE a lot more than that. If that fails (and you do a lot of typing) you might be able to persuade them to get you a kinesis/maltron for ergonomic reasons. Failing THAT, I'd grab a new keyboard.
---

Me, I am not allowed to plug a new keyboard into the computer I use, nor change the layout or anything, so I'm out of luck.

[Tony]

True, HR dept will talk sense to IT dept and your problem will be easily solved. From IT point of view, EXE file is much more risky than just reconfig the computer.

[FinancialWar]

I'll probably just get the kinesis advantage, it has this cool factor and probably retain a lot more resell value.

[Apokalipse]

Autohotkey script:

Code: [Select]

#UseHook
Process, Priority,, Realtime
SetKeyDelay -1


; scroll lock set to on when script is active
SetScrollLockState, On
Scrolllock::
    Suspend, Permit
    Suspend
    if (A_IsSuspended == true)
        SetScrollLockState, Off
    else
        SetScrollLockState, On
    return


; qwerty to dvorak
-::[
=::]
q::'
w::,
e::.
r::p
t::y
y::f
u::g
i::c
o::r
p::l
[::/
]::=
s::o
d::e
f::u
g::i
h::d
j::h
k::t
l::n
SC027::s
'::-
z::SC027
x::q
c::j
v::k
b::x
n::b
,::w
.::v
/::z

[Kurk]

...
So is there a hardwired dvorak keyboard (mechanical, hopefully) on the market at the moment?

...

Native Dvorak keyboards should be available from Unicomp. Their SpaceSaver M (for Mac) for sure is so I guess the PC models will be, too. You'll have to call the and ask.

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/onthestick.html

[sordna]

I'll probably just get the kinesis advantage, it has this cool factor and probably retain a lot more resell value.

Good choice. There's a special model, the Advantage LF, with cherry MX red switches, but it's only available by request at Kinesis at $325. Click my sig for details. If you buy from a reseller, you'll only be able to ge the model with MX browns, but it will be cheaper. Another option is to buy it used... I think Input Nirvana may have some for sale, and they pop up on eBay now and again too.

[Kurk]

...
So is there a hardwired dvorak keyboard (mechanical, hopefully) on the market at the moment?

...QUOTE]
Unicomp's SpaceSaver models can be ordered in Dvorak layout. These are actually hard-wired (I've asked). Maybe other models can be ordered in Dvorak, too.

[Kurk]

Upon asking if one needed to change the keyboard layout in the OS for use with their Dvorak keyboards, Don Bowman from Unicomp mailed me that "Use of our Dvorak keyboard requires no key reassignment in the OS.  What you see is what you get, so to speak."
Note that this conversation was about the SpaceSaver M (for apple).

[ownerer]

I use the QIDO at work and it rocks!

[Input Nirvana]

I use the QIDO at work and it rocks!

Anything else, or is it just that simple? (hopefully just that simple)
Pros/cons/thoughts?

[Ekaros]

Tipro?

Anything with low-level programming should work.

[FinancialWar]

does anyone know where I can get the Kinesis Advantage in Australia? That eBay seller is now gone. I don't know where to get one of these in Australia for a reasonable price. All the Australian sellers are selling them for more than $AU600 which is a rip off.

[sordna]

Maybe you can contact Kinesis directly, possibly they can ship to Australia for a smaller overall cost. Another option to keep looking on ebay.com.au for a used one. I just did a search for completed listings, and saw a US seller sold one for $269 + $43 shipping which is less than half what your Australian sellers want to charge you:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-Kinesis-Advantage-Keyboard-QWERTY-Dvorak-/160382102062?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item255784aa2e

So if Kinesis doesn't ship to Australia (dunno if they do or not) chances are some of their US resellers might. You can try fentek-ind.com, amazon.com, thehumansolution.com, and others.

[FinancialWar]

thehumansolution sold out the kinesis and other US ebay sellers do not post to Australia.

My Dad is going to China in two days time, is there a retailer their?

[sordna]

No idea about China, but nevermind ebay, did you go to the actual websites I mentioned? For example if you go to thehumansolution.com they have 3 different Kinesis Advantage models, and various international shipping options.
I just tried USPS Priority International and it quoted me $51.

[FinancialWar]

Thanks sordna,

So I checked thehumansolution.com, I didn't know there were two types of kinesis advantage? One that has only Qwerty and the other version that have both Qwerty and Dvorak. Can you confirm the one with both layout is the KB500USB-QD-BLK so that I don't get the Qwerty only version.

Thanks.

[sordna]

Thanks sordna,

So I checked thehumansolution.com, I didn't know there were two types of kinesis advantage? One that has only Qwerty and the other version that have both Qwerty and Dvorak. Can you confirm the one with both layout is the KB500USB-QD-BLK so that I don't get the Qwerty only version.

Thanks.

Yeah, the one with the QD in the part number has the dual printed qwerty/dvorak keycaps. Note that all Kinesis Advantage models support qwerty/dvorak switching, if you can touch-type dvorak you don't need the special keycaps. My first Kinesis (a PS/2 Classic) had the QD keycaps, but all my later ones don't, and I happily type Dvorak without missing the QD at all.

[FinancialWar]

oh ok I get it.

So all Kinesis Advantage keyboard have qwerty/dvorak switching, only those with QD have qwerty/dvorak printed on keycaps.

yes, I do touch type (I don't think there are any dvorak users who don't), and in fact, I prefer blank keycaps, do you know if Kinesis Advantage come in blanks?

Black Kinesis Advantage in blank black keycaps would look awesome.

[sordna]

There is no model that comes with blanks, although perhaps Kinesis directly may be able to provide you with a set, just contact them. Otherwise, you can always sand or dye your keycaps, or buy after market ones. These instructions will prove useful.

[Allagion]

There is one issue, which is admittedly situational, in which a hardwired dvorak keyboard may be useful. I am in law school and most students take exams on Examsoft. Your system reboots into safe mode for the duration of the test and examsoft doesn't give a hoot what keyboard layout you prefer, you are going to type in QWERTY. There is no way to change your preferences after reboot either. Having a hardwired board, or at least the QIDO, should circumvent that issue. My professors don't care that I bring in an external keyboard to plug in to my laptop.

[FinancialWar]

I tried and return kinesis, the layout and the built quality is not by thing. Plus it is too bulky. I got the QIDO, I am going to get the Rapoo V7 as well to solve my Dvorak issue outside home.

[Input Nirvana]

We lost a family member

[Reptile]

no, it has to be on the keyboard hardware level, no messing around with softwares on the pc or OS as the techs can be really jerks and I am only new in this job.

What kind of job is this? Doesn't make sense they should let you do it.

[clickclack123]

Resurrecting this necro thread but:

the CODE keyboard at http://codekeyboards.com/, which is a rebadged WASD V2 has dip switches on the bottom that can switch it into dvorak layout.