Why do we still use qwerty keyboards?

[Phoenix Arrow]

Ooooookaaaaay.
When you learn how to touch type, you keep your index fingers on the F and J keys and the fingers alongside. The letters are arranged so that letters that are commonly used together would be typed using different fingers.
Take M and N, They're both commonly used letters, so you put them on the index finger, but you put them next to each other because you rarely use them in a row. Your little fingers have the least control so you put them on the punctuation marks and low budget letters like Q and Z.
Basically, it's for speed of typing. I learnt how to touch type and my writing speed is 80+ words a minute. I kind of adapted it though, like I use the right fingers on the right buttons but I keep my fingers off the keyboard unless I'm pressing something. Find it more comfortable.

 

[YuheJi]

I love how people say that obsolete systems should stay because they are used to them.

Thank God that you didn't have the say in whether motor cars should become the new norm.

Then what do you think should replace QWERTY? Are the benefits of DVORAK honestly enough for the entire population to make a switch?

 

[Acidwell]

After researching it I realized it was because typewriters would jam a lot with a ABC layout so QWERTY was designed to minimize this. Now escapist, I for one can say I have never used a typewriter and am pretty sure they aren't a common occurrence at this point.

Actually I'm fairly sure the keys are arranged to make typing commonly used words faster.

Anyways, point is, we're all used to it.

Actually, its an urban myth - the jamming one, anyways. As for QWERTY being faster, meh, its probably as fast as any other layout once you get used to it.

No its not an urban myth: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QWERTY . Second sentence.
OT: I'd say the main reason it hasnt been changed is that it would cost way to much to re-educate everybody who can use a qwerty keyboard. Also there haven't been any studies that show huge benefits from Dvorak

 

[PunchClockVillain]

I tried switching to DVORAK once, but it was too hard to unlearn the QWERTY setup. I'm guessing its just been used for so long that we'll keep using it, because no one likes to disrupt the status quo.

 

[lolandrew4]

Familiarity

 

[Bassman_2]

Have you tried making words with those graphing calculators? It takes me forever to find all the letters becausze I am not used to it anymore.

 

[Shurikens and Lightning]

OT: I'd say the main reason it hasnt been changed is that it would cost way to much to re-educate everybody who can use a qwerty keyboard. Also there haven't been any studies that show huge benefits from Dvorak

Everybody has been saying this would cost too much. To me, keyboards are not government regulation. I could and probably will now, go on ebay and get a DVORAK keyboard and not get arrested. Its not government, its not the keyboard manufacturers, its us. If we all start buying new keyboards or pressing companies to invest in research we will stick with this system.

 

[Chunko]

Today I saw my little cousin typing on the keyboard in frustration. She does know her alphabet but still hasn't learned how to properly type. In frustration she asked me why do we still have QWERTY keyboards, and to that I had no real response.

After researching it I realized it was because typewriters would jam a lot with a ABC layout so QWERTY was designed to minimize this. Now escapist, I for one can say I have never used a typewriter and am pretty sure they aren't a common occurrence at this point.

While it would be a hard change I feel that it would help in the long run. Gaming might have some troubles since we all are used to WASD to move but I think we can adjust. You do see ABC layouts on many devices nowadays but many keyboards still stick with this confusing system.

Does the escapist have an answer for this?

EDIT: I have noticed most of you are saying stuff that had to do with typewriters. Let us not forget that another thing QWERTY was famous for is slowing us down when we type. Is that a good thing? This is the 21st century using a 19th century technique on a obviously obsolete system. I believe we need a change to take advantage of computers and not typewriters.

I'm pretty sure that QWERTY keyvboards are designed to be more efficient for typing with computers aswell. For example, try typing "W.A.S", the letters are close to eachother because it is a common word.

 

[Raticate5]

If we were to change now, it would be like having USA instantly change to the metric system, or have England drive on the other side of the road.

The US never changes.

That's largely why we have so many problems. Quick sudden changes would fix a numerous set of problems but people in the US are too dramatic about it.

OH NOES I MIGHT HAVE TO LEARN A NEW SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENT! Yeah...and then you'd be on par with the rest of the world AND be using a much more efficient system.

Yea, it's ALL our fault. And where the hell are you from, Mr. Perfect?

First of all, theultimateend, you are generalizing people who live in the US. Not everyone in our country is a narrow minded blockhead as the stereotype goes.

Secondly, change doesn't happen because you work on little things like that AFTER you fix the bigger problems. Basically, when The US isn't in a recession, doesn't owe 7+ trillion to China, isn't fighting stupid wars, etc, is when those annoying problems like the system of measurement, and which sport is called football will be dealt with.

 

[Lexodus]

I went on an ABC keyboard when I was in France. All I can say is, fuck that. Fuck it sideways, with all manner of sharp and pointy objects.

 

[Headless Zombie]

C-m ypfcbi yr n.apb Ekrpat ajygannfv

I mean.

I'm trying to learn Dvorak actually.

 

[Snotnarok]

I can't imagine a redesigned keyboard selling too well, that might be the cause for it. This is the standard, this is what's familiar, this is what people buy and support. To change a format means millions, or billions relearning how to type because another keyboard format might be better isn't a sound idea.

 

[Acidwell]

OT: I'd say the main reason it hasnt been changed is that it would cost way to much to re-educate everybody who can use a qwerty keyboard. Also there haven't been any studies that show huge benefits from Dvorak

Everybody has been saying this would cost too much. To me, keyboards are not government regulation. I could and probably will now, go on ebay and get a DVORAK keyboard and not get arrested. Its not government, its not the keyboard manufacturers, its us. If we all start buying new keyboards or pressing companies to invest in research we will stick with this system.

It would cost too much, most people who learn to type do it so they can use it in a job, 99% of companies if not 100% have qwerty keyboards and that is why typing schools & courses teach it.
It would cost the companies a lot of money to replace every keyboard as well as retrain every employee. There would be no point in people learning dvorak because the only place you would use it is at home and i dont really see the point of being more efficient whenever you are relaxing.

Also a lot of programs would have to change their keyboard shortcuts. Have you seen Ctrl-C or Ctrl-V on those things.

 

[jimduckie]

it is standard format that works as for lame xbox 360 uses ABC which is dumb, of course the worse is ps3 's other keyboard opition

 

[likalaruku]

I have some kind of memory disability that prevents me from remembering where the keys are.

I use the computer every day since 1995, & I've only memorized my hotkeys & about 2-6 letters, depending on how awake I am. I can still type pretty fast for someone who still has to look at the keys.

 

[Go Fighting In The War Room]

We've been used to it before keyboards. Typewriters we're like this, and we just stuck with that format.

 

[Major_Tom]

I use QWERTZ.

 

[Mr. Purple]

We aren't going to change something that everyone is used to. And there is order to the madness. And abc layout would make typing more difficult and weird.