QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ and sometimes Dvorak

Here’s something new that I learned today. I was aware that there were different keyboard layouts but some of this stuff is just plain weird. We’re all familiar with the QWERTY layout that us Americans use.

The AZERTY layout, pictured above, is commonly used in France and Belgium. The A and Q, Z and W keys are swapped and the M is moved over where the semi colon usually is on QWERTY. The number keys must be shifted to type numbers since they are used for accented characters. There’s also a AltGr key which is used for typing symbols for Pounds and what not.

The QWERTZ layout is used in Germany and Switzerland. The Z and Y keys are swapped and there’s some other keys for typing commonly used symbols.

Here we have the Dvorak layout. It is said to have been developed to speed up typing. Apparently, QWERTY was designed so that keystrokes would alternate sides of the keyboardto reduce the frequency of jams on type writers (old school!). I guess everyone just got used to QWERTY and Dvorak never gained in popularity.

And finally I leave you with this crazy ergonomic keyboard layout.

via wikipedia

Tagged: Keyboard Layouts, QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, Dvorak