Initial Dvorak Layout

Model 01 Layouts
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Let me break out the main design features from my earlier post:

  1. Every 105-key international keyboard (regardless of language) has 48 printable non-whitespace keys. This fits perfectly into two 6x4 blocks. This means that all printable non-whitespace characters in any standard language mapping can be fitted into in the first layer of a model 01, half under each hand.

  2. All other keys are fitted either under the thumbs, on the six spare keys in the centre of the keyboard or in the embedded layer.

  3. An embedded keypad is under the right hand, in a home position, and a WASD-style navigation block under the left, again in a home position.

  4. The number keys are scrolled to the left by one when compared to a kinesis. This is actually more natural for touch typists, because it better matches the stagger on a traditional keyboard (e.g. there is a school of touch typing where 6 falls under the left hand). This has two added benefits:

  • The two keys to the right of “0” do not have to be moved
  • The function keys F1-F12 can be located intuitively in the embedded layer.

  1. A pc-105 keyboard has an “international key” to the left of Qwerty “Z”. This is retained in situ, as are the keys to the right of “0”, “P” and “;”. These are used quite commonly in international keymaps and there is no compelling reason to move them. The remaining keys (Qwerty “]”, “`”, and “”) are placed as close to their pc-105 positions as possible. This minimises confusion and should help to maximise adoption. (The only key that ends up in an “unusual” position is “”)

  2. It looks like the centre two thumb keys on each hand are the ones that most closely correspond to the large kinesis thumb keys, in which case these should be used for space, backspace, and shift (and possibly enter). The remaining keys (Ctrl, Alt, Cmd, Esc, Return, Tab) are fitted in central positions.

(I find that only one thumb shift key is necessary on my kinesis, but I appreciate that others will probably want one on each side.)

I will keep updating the original post as I add bits and pieces to the embedded layers.