Re: Copy of GOrDon's press release to news syndicates

You are totally missing the spirit of the movement.  People are not stupid.  They already realize that they will have to get used to the new layout. But the promise is that they will certainly increase their speed in almost no time at all.      

But the fact that still rules the day is the one about how many miles hands have to move in a day. 16 to 20 miles for Qwerty versus one mile or less for Dvorak.  That is a physical fact.  I am betting that the difference in movement mileage will rule the day and encourage most people to switch.


--- In [email protected], "S Bjornstad" <sobjornstad@...> wrote:
>
> I'm glad you are trying to promote Dvorak, but I'm afraid you may be making some incorrect claims that will end up giving Dvorak bad press instead.
> 
> 
> > 95% of all the people look at the keys as they type. By switching their keyboards from Qwerty to Dvorak they can Instantly 
> > type faster. Why?
> 
> First of all, I'm not sure if this statistic is accurate. But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that it is. More importantly, I think any claims of "instantly" typing faster are simply silly. Changing keyboard layouts takes time-- even if you've only switched two keys, you *will* type slower temporarily.
> 
> > ...we have to understand how and why the current keyboard that is used around the world was developed. The Qwerty or 
> > Universal keyboard came into existence in 1873. It was invented by a man named Sholes. The purpose of the arrangement of
> > the keys in the manner that they were arranged was to slow down the hands of the typists whose hands were too fast for the 
> > machines of that time.
> 
> This is not quite correct, by most historical accounts anyway. Sholes was indeed attempting to prevent his machines from jamming, but was not intending to slow down typists. His design did end up creating an inefficient and poor keyboard, to be sure, but he was not directly intending to do this. The effect remains the same, but it still makes me annoyed to see people telling this account.
> 
> > So the bottom line is that for more than 95% of all Qwerty keyboardists a switch away from Qwerty to Dvorak won't change 
> > anything in the way they type. They will still be looking at the keys as they type. 
> 
> You have made the (incorrect) assumption that this is a binary situation--either someone touch-types or they stare across the keyboard hunting down individual keys. The majority of people who do not touch type (once again, assuming that your statistic is correct), have at least some familiarity with the keyboard and know at least the general area of the keys they're trying to hit. 
> 
> > But switching to Dvorak will double or triple their typing speed instantly as they continue to look at the keyboard as they > hunt and peck. For information on how to switch your computer's operating system from Qwerty to Dvorak and to purchase > keycap labels for $1.99 see the resources page at YesWeCanDvorak.com.
> 
> Claiming doubling or tripling of speeds is simply silly. That is the kind of speed increase someone who has never used a keyboard before would get upon learning to touch-type--and that doesn't happen instantly, it takes time. A good typist who switches to Dvorak is probably lucky to get a 20% increase, much less a doubling or tripling of speed. (Say you were hunt-and-pecking at 25WPM, which is probably a conservative estimate for many. You would be claiming that these people could suddenly type 60-70WPM, which is simply absurd.)
> 
> Once again, I thank you for trying to promote Dvorak, but I think making claims that cannot possibly be fulfilled is just going to upset people rather than helping. I hope you might consider correcting some of this information.
> 
> 
> --- In [email protected], "Gregory G" <gregory@> wrote:
> >
> > Just sent the following press release to every news syndicate in New York City. And I updated LightoftheWorld.com to include a video about Dvorak and links where people can purchase the Dvorak labels.
> > 
> > For immediate release
> > Contact: Gregory GOrDon 954-532-0408 
> > 
> > 95% of all the people look at the keys as they type. By switching their keyboards from Qwerty to Dvorak they can Instantly type faster. Why? 
> > 
> > The Dvorak keyboard arrangement allows for faster typing by putting the most used letters in the English language under the most agile fingers, in the best possible position. In order to understand the true value of this invention, we have to understand how and why the current keyboard that is used around the world was developed. The Qwerty or Universal keyboard came into existence in 1873. It was invented by a man named Sholes. The purpose of the arrangement of the keys in the manner that they were arranged was to slow down the hands of the typists whose hands were too fast for the machines of that time.
> > 
> > Sholes placed the most used letters far enough apart that this no longer became a problem. Later, with the faster typewriters and today with super fast computers, that is no longer a problem. Still, the keyboard that was designed to slow down two fingered typists, is the standard that we use. Although there are numerous reasons to use the Dvorak the fact that GOrDon uses to convince people to switch is this: In an eight hour day of typing a typists hands can move back and forth from row to row a total of from sixteen to twenty miles on the Qwerty keyboard. On a Dvorak keyboard the figure is less than one mile. 
> > 
> > So the bottom line is that for more than 95% of all Qwerty keyboardists a switch away from Qwerty to Dvorak won't change anything in the way they type. They will still be looking at the keys as they type. But switching to Dvorak will double or triple their typing speed instantly as they continue to look at the keyboard as they hunt and peck. For information on how to switch your computer's operating system from Qwerty to Dvorak and to purchase keycap labels for $1.99 see the resources page at YesWeCanDvorak.com.
> > 
> > For more information see: http://LightoftheWorld.com ;
> > 
> > 
> > --- In [email protected], "Gregory G" <gregory@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Fears about a backlash from Qwerty typists is unfounded in the facts surrounding the actual numbers of people who actually touch type and the History of the Qwerty keyboards.
> > > 
> > > Fewer than 5% of all of the people who use keyboards actually touch type. 95% still do some version of hunt-and-peck.
> > > 
> > > And in the history of Qwerty is the fact that the Qwerty was made to slow down the hands of people who use two fingers to hunt and peck. 
> > > 
> > > Sholes the man who invented the Qwerty keyboard in 1873 was faced with a problem. The mechanical keyboards of the time were so slow that people who used two fingers to type kept jamming the machines so he deliberately put the most used letters as far apart as possible. This solved his problem. Touch typing was not even invented until the 1920's. 
> > > 
> > > So the bottom line is that for more than 95% of all Qwerty keyboardists a switch away from Qwerty to Dvorak will speed up their typing instantly as they hunt and peck. That presents a totally different scenario.
> > > 
> > > As soon as people hear that they won't have to do anything except what they are already doing and that their typing speed will increase I imagine that they will want to switch on their own as most people who read my book have reported to me.  And most of them wanted to switch and learn the keyboard well enough to touch type.
> > > 
> > > I have listened to the members of this group and am going to make sure to go slow with my recommendations for the inevitable switch to Dvorak.
> > > 
> > > First I am going to recommend removing the obstacles to typing on a Dvorak by employers, schools and testing centers.
> > > 
> > > Next I am going to recommend requiring dual labelling of all keyboards sold in the United States. The only people who will be using Qwerty who are the tiny minority of Qwerty touch typists.
> > > 
> > > Labels for the Dvorak keyboard are on sale for $1.99 in my Amazon.com affiliate store found on the resources page at: http://YesWeCanDvorak.com
> > > 
> > > 
> > > --- In [email protected], "Gregory G" <gregory@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > What most people don't know about me is that I passed the test for entry into Mensa (certified genius).  The comment I hear the most from people who read my book whether they agree about me or not is that they are going to switch from Qwerty to Dvorak.        
> > > > 
> > > > "Let people learn about Dv however they might, and let them adopt it if they wish. Dvorak's had long enough to catch-on, and it hasn't yet. I doubt its plight will be seriously redirected by any one person - whether their influence is perceived as positive or negative."
> > > > 
> > > > He is correct. By myself I will have no effect. That is why I am coming to this group for help.  I have started a forum of my own at http://YesWeCanDvorak.com currently there are two discussions going on.  One for experienced Dvorakers and one for those who have just started.
> > > > 
> > > > I am asking any and all members to post their Dvorak experience in the forum.  Please share your story.  How you found out about Dvorak, stories on the learning process, stories on incompatability, whatever you want to share especially concerns about me and my sanity.
> > > > 
> > > > The story of how I became involved with Dvorak is shared on the about me page of http://YesWeCanDvorak.com
> > > > 
> > > > Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday is on February 6th. I own http://RonaldReaganBirthday.com It is sure to be a highly searched term.  I am seeking interviews and am already booked for one that day. The hook is that the shootings in Arizona have changed how I feel about breaking into Reagan's home.
> > > > 
> > > > Timing is everything.  
> > > > 
> > > > --- In [email protected], Joey Mink <joeymink@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Dvorak is a keyboard layout, and a person is a person.  We have no control
> > > > > over associations people make when two completely unrelated things are
> > > > > juxtaposed.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Let people learn about Dv however they might, and let them adopt it if they
> > > > > wish.  Dvorak's had long enough to catch-on, and it hasn't yet.  I doubt its
> > > > > plight will be seriously redirected by any one person - whether their
> > > > > influence is perceived as positive or negative.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Sorry, but I had to chime-in after this flood of e-mails.
> > > > > 
> > > > > On Wed, Jan 19, 2011 at 1:08 PM, S Bjornstad <sobjornstad@>wrote:
> > > > > 
> > > > > > I agree. While he probably has good intentions, people are going to call
> > > > > > him crazy, and associate Dvorak with people like him.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --- In [email protected], accessys@ wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > yeah,  he could do much more harm than good for Dvorak... (won't comment
> > > > > > > on his other stuff)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Bob
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > On Wed, 19 Jan 2011, weiszguys wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:23:27 -0000
> > > > > > > > From: weiszguys <weiszguys@>
> > > > > > > > Reply-To: [email protected]
> > > > > > > > To: [email protected]
> > > > > > > > Subject: [altkeyboards] Gordon's gone bye bye
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I think the cause of Dvorak can only be harmed by people like Gregory
> > > > > > Gordon.  I'm listening to his radio appearance right now.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > He claims to be the second coming of Christ.
> > > > > > > > He ran down a street naked claiming to be wearing the emperor's new
> > > > > > clothes.
> > > > > > > > He broke into Ronald Regan's home as a "publicity stunt".  Regan, of
> > > > > > course, is the anti-Christ.  His being dead is no problem.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I suggest we no longer acknowledge any of his posts here.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ------------------------------------
> > > > > >
> > > > > > To Post a message, send it to:   altkeyboards@
> > > > > > To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to:
> > > > > > altkeyboards-unsubscribe@! Groups Links
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>