The Dvorak Layout Argument

d-VOR-ak

I see a lot of ignorant posts in discussions about Dvorak, QWERTY, Colemak and other keyboard layouts. People often come to the conclusion that it’s not worth the switch, especially if you’re already proficient in a layout, but there are too many undereducated and, frankly, BIASED opinions out there by which people unwittingly allow themselves to be swayed.

Here are the FACTS (from my research – take it as you would any other person’s opinion):

* Dvorak is better for your hands than other layouts (plenty of independent user reports cite how it has helped their RSI and/or carpal tunnel, but some DO NOT benefit) and more efficient to use (this does not say anything about its potential speed benefits but read on)

* There ARE people who averaged 110+ wpm on QWERTY who then made the switch to Dvorak and did increased their speeds (usually no more than 10 wpm) – and of those who didn’t quit QWERTY completely, they can still proficiently use both layouts, though their QWERTY speeds usually slow a bit

* One week will never be enough to make the switch – from the people I’ve heard whom have made the switch it has taken 2-4+ months of practice on average to reach their QWERTY speeds on Dvorak (though more practice means faster progress) – but this is a switch to which one should be completely dedicated – you need not bother switching if you don’t want to spend time training

* It’s not for everyone. I put off learning Dvorak for YEARS because I didn’t see much of the potential benefit and I was a fast QWERTY typist already (110-120 wpm on average). Even now, my two MAIN reasons for switching were: fear of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, and the fact that I had TIME to make the switch (some summers you just don’t have a lot to do)

Das ist Das Keyboard.

Other reasons I switched include: The desire to become more of a keyboard hipster than I am right now – I use a Das Keyboard Ultimate Silent (blank keys, mechanical Cherry MX Brown key switches), the excuse to allow fewer people to use my keyboard (and possibly screw over anyone who does try to use it without my permission..), the possibility of higher wpm (which not everyone achieves, but I’m progressing faster than anyone I’ve known so I’m hopeful), and simple FRUSTRATION – I shudder knowing that the QWERTY layout is technically a modern invention and there’s basically no turning back from it, BUT IT IS BY FAR NOT THE BEST LAYOUT. I don’t care which one people think is best be it Dvorak, Colemak or another layout sent into obscurity, but QWERTY just ISN’T the best and the fact that society has forever accepted it as THE standard layout (for English) frightens me. What OTHER inventions will we see in the future that aren’t as efficient as they should be and which ones will we accept forever, despite their faults? That is one of the other reasons I switched – the world shouldn’t settle for mediocrity when something much much better comes along, but it does – so this is ONE thing I won’t settle for: a layout that isn’t tailored for the user’s hands.

Again, don’t bother switching if you have no fear of stress injuries in your future or don’t want to spend weeks and months gathering speed in Dvorak whilst losing it in QWERTY. But you SHOULD switch if you want a healthier layout and you have the time. However, I encourage those ready to learn Dvorak to keep practicing QWERTY as well – the world will never universally and wholly switch to Dvorak, and since you live in this world, you’ll want to keep your QWERTY abilities.

(Originally posted as a response here.)

Skate of Gold

So fucking gorgeous.

Eat it.

117 words

Dumbledore vs Gandalf

Last evening I stumbled across this: --------------------------------->

It is what I consider a funny Facebook argument for why Gandalf is the better of the two wizards (Dumbledore vs Gandalf). I sent this to my friend, Bill and proposed that although this person's argument was very funny and somewhat strong, I would be able to come up with an equally strong argument for why Dumbledore was better. I typed up my argument, lost my internet for the night, saved the argument, and now I'm posting it. My IMPASSIONED argument for the late Dumbledore. *WARNING: SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT READ THE BOOKS THOUGH HONESTLY YOU'VE HAD YEARS TO DO SO* 

Let's start with Dumbledore's early life. Did I mention that he was a friggen BOSS even as a kid? His dad went to prison for torturing a couple of muggle boys - badass. He turned out to be an incredibly kind kid anyway. Set his bed-curtains on fire 'cause they were un-fab and MADE IT LOOK LIKE A FUCKING ACCIDENT. Won numerous prizes during his school years, also considered the most brilliant student to ever attend the school. FUCKING HEAD BOY, BITCHES. After his MOTHER was killed he took care of his siblings LIKE A BOSS. Then his fucking LITTLE SISTER was killed in an accident/battle with his BEST FRIEND who fled the scene and he dealt with it LIKE A BOSS. Was offered Minister of Magic several times, turning it down each time (like a boss). Later defeated Grindelwald (who had the FUCKING ELDER WAND) in a duel without even having to kill him.

Harry's a horcrux? Fucking knew it.

But let's pretend those are all small things. Dumbledore was still one of only two known wizards to ever have possessed one of each of the Deathly Hallows - fucking master of death? I think so - because let's not forget that Dumbledore KNEW THE WHOLE FUCKING TIME THAT A PART OF VOLEMORT'S SOUL WAS IN HARRY POTTER. He might as well have been omniscient because he basically had the WHOLE series orchestrated. The one mistake he made was touching the ring horcrux (wanting to access the powers of the Resurrection Stone) which would then lead to an early death (earlier since Snape killed him (which, might I mention, WAS ALSO PART OF HIS FUCKING PLAN - HE PLANNED HIS OWN FUCKING DEATH! WTF?!)). And after that, every subsequent part of his plan fell right into place. Harry dies (and meets Dumbledore's spirit, who is fucking MODEST AS SHIT despite his amazingness), comes back to life and kills Voldemort with his friends (all of whom were influenced by Dumbledore in some shape or form). All a part of Dumbledore's master plan. And these are just major PLOT-related things that make Dumbledore the best. I could list other individual things like:

I do all the work..

Him single-handedly capturing all the death eaters during the battle in the Ministry of Magic (save for that bitch, Bellatrix) then proceeding to own Voldemort and make him flee (Voldemort possessed Harry after this because he wanted to see if Dumbledore would sacrifice Harry (which he actually could have done - he knew what would happen, but he had his master plan so he didn't give a fuck really)).

Can't do THIS, Harry? Useless.

He helped Harry get the (what turned out to be fake) locket Horcrux by drinking that FUCKING TORTURE JUICE and ended up saving the fucking helpless Harry afterward with a fucking CAVE full of fire. It is right after this where Dumbledore gets killed on purpose, might I remind you.

Badass.

He was a master of magic, intellectual genius, duellist, COULD in fact use Homenum Revelio both wandlessly and nonverbally (letting him detect people even under THE fucking Cloak of Invisibility), Occlumency and Legilimency expert (could see into people's fucking minds but no one could see into his), Spell Creator and master of FIRE, ALSO multilingual, potions, charms, transfiguration AND apparation expert, and just general fucking badass. Wise as fuck, BOSS, and everything in between. He even fucking gets to exist in the living world after death through his portrait. Still not convinced that he's the best?

He was gay too. BAM.