New Keyboard !!!

Yippee!!  I just got a brand-new shiny Typematrix DV2030 EZ-Reach
keyboard.

First thing I discovered when I rebooted after installing it was that
I could only type in Dvorak with the DV mode OFF !!  Turning it on
produced total nonsense and I couldn't find any of the keys.  So I
went into Control Panel and changed the layout from us-dvorak to just
plain us.  Now everything is fine.

So ...

Now I have to get used to the thing.  I'm having trouble hitting a few
keys - in particular when I go for the right shift, I frequently don't
reach far enough... and when trying for 'f', I go TOO far and hit the
center back space !

The right hand enter really only works well with the number pad - it's 
bit far away when typing alpha.  But the center enter ROCKS!!  It took
a bit to remember that it's there - my little right finger keeps
wanting to do the shifting, but I'm beginning to get over it.  Also
it's very handy to hit with my left index finger when a sentence ends
with a right hand key.

And the center back space is REALLY handy - especially right now when
I'm making so many mistakes ... the red 'delete' key is easy to find
too.  And for the first time in a couple decades, the little bumps and
ridges on the keys actually mean something. (Previously, I pulled my
keyboards apart and rearranged them, so the f and the j bumps didn't
help at all.

Despite the fact that the keyboard is smaller, it's really bigger! 
Sounds like a Tardis, doesn't it.  Having the center enter and
backspace pushes the aoeui     and     dhtns one key further apart -
I'm still getting used to seeing THREE keys between my hands when I'm
parked on the home row.

Having to use the function key to get some keys messes up some of my
autohotkey macros ...  I'll have to rework a few of those once I get
the hang of my new toy!!  Darn!  I keep hitting the \ instead of the
right shift at the start of sentences and typing me (I) hehe - once
again the center backspace comes to my rescue!!

I'm also cheating a bit on my touch typing - I'm peeking at the keys
for now, but I'm going to get over that as soon as possible.

You can go to http://www.typematrix.com/ordernew/view_2030dv.php for a
nice picture of my shiny new ultimate geek toy!!

Anyways, as you can probably tell, I been ramblin' on here just for
practice and FUN !!!!!! - guess I'll go now - I should do a speed test
and track my progress ... I'll keep you posted.

Bye for now.

Happy Typing !!!

Stu