======================================================================
Microsoft(R) Product Support Services Application Note (Text File)
GA0650: DVORAK KEYBOARD LAYOUTS
======================================================================
Revision Date: 3/96
1 Disk Included
The following information applies to Microsoft MS-DOS(R), Windows(R),
Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT(R), and Windows 95 (see below for
version numbers).
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| utility DISKCOPY is appropriate for this purpose]; 3) All |
| components of this Application Note must be distributed together; |
| and 4) This Application Note may not be distributed for profit. |
| |
| Copyright 1996 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. |
| Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows NT are registered |
| trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. |
| |
| Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. |
| This document was created using Word for Windows. |
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This Application Note applies to MS-DOS 5.0, 6.0, 6.2, 6.21, or 6.22,
Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups 3.1 or 3.11, Windows NT 3.1, 3.5,
or 3.51, and Microsoft Windows 95.
INTRODUCTION
============
Microsoft distributes Dvorak keyboard layouts that make the most
frequently typed characters on a keyboard more accessible to people
who have difficulty using the standard "QWERTY" layout. There are
three Dvorak layouts: one for two-handed users, one for people who
type only with their left hand, and one for people who type only with
their right hand. The left- or right-hand keyboard layouts can also be
used by people who type with a wand.
The enclosed disk includes files that provide new keyboard layouts for
Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0, 6.0, 6.2, 6.21, or 6.22, Windows 3.1, Windows
for Workgroups 3.1 or 3.11, Windows NT 3.1, 3.5, or 3.51, and
Microsoft Windows 95.
This application note explains how to install these layouts and
restore your original layout. It also provides illustrations of the
layouts.
WHAT IS A KEYBOARD LAYOUT?
==========================
A keyboard layout is a map or a definition of how keys are laid out on
your keyboard. The keyboard layout you use is determined by software
in your computer. The letters on your keys indicate the standard
layout for your keyboard. There are many different keyboard layouts in
use throughout the world. The one you ordinarily use depends on the
country you are in or the language you use.
Dvorak Keyboard Layouts
-----------------------
Dvorak keyboard layouts are based on designs created by Dr. August
Dvorak, a professor at the University of Washington during the 1930s
and 1940s. Dr. Dvorak studied the way people type standard English,
and determined the most common letter combinations. He then designed
new keyboard layouts to speed up typing and reduce fatigue. These
layouts, now called Dvorak or simplified keyboard layouts, were
initially developed for two-handed typists. Following World War II,
Dvorak layouts were developed for typists who use the right or left
hand alone.
INSTALLING A DVORAK KEYBOARD LAYOUT FOR MS-DOS
==============================================
This Application Note provides the Dvorak.sys file. This file supports
the Dvorak keyboard layouts for two-handed and single-handed typists
who use MS-DOS 5.0, 6.0, 6.2, 6.21, or 6.22.
To Install a United States (U.S.) Dvorak Keyboard Layout for MS-DOS
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1. If you received a disk with this Application Note, insert the disk
in the appropriate floppy disk drive.
If you downloaded this Application Note from an online service,
skip to step 2. This procedure assumes that you have already
downloaded and extracted the compressed file.
2. Copy the Dvorak.sys file from the GA0650 disk or from the folder
containing the file you downloaded from an online service to your
MS-DOS directory by typing the following command at the MS-DOS
command prompt and pressing ENTER:
copy <drive>:\dvorak.sys <destination>
where <drive> is the floppy disk drive containing the GA0650 disk
or the folder containing the file you downloaded from an online
service and <destination> is the drive and directory where your
MS-DOS files reside. For example, if you inserted the GA0650 disk
in drive A and your MS-DOS directory is called DOS and is on drive
C, type the following line at the MS-DOS command prompt and press
ENTER:
copy a:\dvorak.sys c:\dos\dvorak.sys
3. To begin using one of the new keyboard layouts, type the
appropriate command (as shown in the table below) at the MS-DOS
command prompt and press ENTER:
Keyboard Layout Command
Two-handed keyb dv,,c:\dos\dvorak.sys
Right-handed keyb rh,,c:\dos\dvorak.sys
Left-handed keyb lh,,c:\dos\dvorak.sys
To load one of these keyboard layouts automatically when your computer
starts, include the appropriate KEYB command in your Autoexec.bat
file. The KEYB command should be placed after a PATH command that
includes your MS-DOS directory. If your Autoexec.bat file includes the
WIN or DOSSHELL command, make sure the KEYB command comes before the
WIN or DOSSHELL command.
Once you have loaded one of the Dvorak layouts, you can easily switch
between the Dvorak layout and the U.S. standard layout. To switch back
to the U.S. standard layout, press CTRL+ALT+F1. To switch to the
Dvorak layout, press CTRL+ALT+F2.
To Disable the United States (U.S.) Dvorak Keyboard Layout for MS-DOS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To disable the United States (U.S.) Dvorak keyboard layout for MS-DOS,
open the Autoexec.bat file (with a text editor such as MS-DOS Editor),
delete the line with the KEYB command, save the file, and restart your
computer.
INSTALLING A DVORAK KEYBOARD LAYOUT FOR
WINDOWS 3.1 OR WINDOWS FOR WORKGROUPS
========================================
This Application Note provides the Kbdusr.dll and Kbdusl.dll files.
These files support the Dvorak keyboard layouts for Windows 3.1 or
Windows for Workgroups 3.1 or 3.11 users who type with the right hand
or left hand alone. Windows already includes the U.S. Dvorak keyboard
layout for users who type with two hands.
NOTE: If you use MS-DOS-based programs with Windows, you must install
the Dvorak layouts for MS-DOS in order to get Dvorak support for those
programs. For instructions, see the previous section, "Installing a
Dvorak Keyboard Layout for MS-DOS."
To Install the U.S. Dvorak Keyboard Layout for Two-Handed Typists
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1. Run Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, double-click the International icon. The
International dialog box appears.
3. In the Keyboard Layout box, click US-Dvorak.
4. Click OK.
To disable the two-handed Dvorak layout and restore your original
layout, follow the steps in the preceding procedure. In step 3, choose
your original layout.
To Install a U.S. Dvorak Keyboard Layout for Single-Handed Typists
------------------------------------------------------------------
1. If you received a disk with this Application Note, insert the disk
in the appropriate floppy disk drive.
If you downloaded this Application Note from an online service,
skip to step 2. This procedure assumes that you have already
downloaded and extracted the compressed file.
2. If you want to use the right-handed Dvorak layout, copy the
Kbdusr.dll file to the Windows\System folder on your hard disk. If
you want to use the left-handed Dvorak layout, copy the Kbdusl.dll
file to the Windows\System folder on your hard disk. You can do
this by typing the following command at the MS-DOS command prompt
and pressing ENTER:
copy <drive>:\<progname> <destination>
where <drive> is the floppy disk drive containing the GA0650 disk
or the folder containing the file you downloaded from an online
service, <progname> is Kbdusr.dll for the right-handed layout or
Kbdusl.dll for the left-handed layout, and <destination> is the
drive and folder for the Windows\System folder.
For example, if you inserted the GA0650 disk in drive A and your
Windows folder is called Windows and is on drive C, type one of
the following commands at the MS-DOS command prompt:
copy a:\kbdusr.dll c:\windows\system\kbdusr.dll
-or-
copy a:\kbdusl.dll c:\windows\system\kdbusl.dll
If you are using a shared copy of Windows that is installed on a
network server, copy the file to your private Windows folder.
3. Use a text editor, such as Notepad, to open the System.ini file in
the Windows folder.
4. Find the section that begins with the following line:
[keyboard]
5. Within the [keyboard] section, find the following line:
keyboard.dll=
6. Depending on which keyboard layout you want to use, type
KBDUSL.DLL or KBDUSR.DLL after the equal sign (=). When you are
finished, the line should look like one of the following lines:
keyboard.dll=kbdusl.dll
-or-
keyboard.dll=kbdusr.dll
7. Save the System.ini file.
8. Quit and then restart Windows.
To Disable the Single-Handed Layout and
Restore Your Original Windows Keyboard Layout
---------------------------------------------
1. Run Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, double-click the International icon. The
International dialog box appears.
3. In the Keyboard Layout box, click the keyboard layout you
previously used.
4. Click OK.
INSTALLING A DVORAK KEYBOARD LAYOUT FOR WINDOWS NT 3.1, 3.5, OR 3.51
====================================================================
To Install a U.S. Dvorak Keyboard Layout for Two-Handed Typists
---------------------------------------------------------------
1. Run Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, double-click the International icon. The
International dialog box appears.
3. In the Keyboard Layout box, click US-Dvorak.
4. Click OK.
To disable the two-handed Dvorak layout and restore your original
layout, follow the steps in the preceding procedure. In step 3, choose
your original layout.
To Install a U.S. Dvorak Keyboard Layout for Single-Handed Typists
------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: The Dvorak single-handed keyboard layouts support only Intel(R)
processors. They do not support RISC processors at this time.
1. If there is an Oemlay0.inf file in the Windows NT\System32 folder,
rename it with a unique file name. For example, rename it
Oemlay1.inf (if there is not already an Oemlay1.inf file in the
System32 folder) with the following command:
ren c:\winnt\system32\oemlay0.inf c:\winnt\system32\oemlay1.inf
NOTE: When you rename an Oemlayn.inf file, choose the next unused
number to ensure Windows NT reads all the Oemlayn.inf files
correctly (where n is a number). For example, if you have three
Oemlay.inf files (Oemlay0.inf, Oemlay1.inf, and Oemlay2.inf),
rename Oemlay0.inf to Oemlay3.inf.
2. If you received a disk with this Application Note, insert the disk
in the appropriate floppy disk drive.
If you downloaded this Application Note from an online service,
skip to step 3. This procedure assumes that you have already
downloaded and extracted the compressed file.
3. Copy the Oemlay0.inf file from the GA0650 disk or the folder
containing the file you downloaded from an online service to the
Windows NT\System32 folder on the hard disk. You can do this by
typing the following command at the MS-DOS command prompt and
pressing ENTER:
copy <drive>:\oemlay0.inf <destination>
where <drive> is the floppy disk drive containing the GA0650 disk
or the folder containing the file you downloaded from an online
service and <destination> is the drive and folder for the Windows
NT\System32 folder.
For example, if the GA0650 disk is in drive A and your Windows NT
folder is called WINNT and is on drive C, type the following
command at the MS-DOS command prompt and press ENTER:
4. Run Control Panel.
5. In Control Panel, double-click the International icon. The
International dialog box appears.
6. In the Keyboard Layout box, click US Left Single-Handed Layout or
US Right Single-Handed Layout.
7. Click OK. Windows NT prompts you to type the path to the Kbdrh.dll
or Kbdlh.dll file.
8. Type the path to the floppy disk drive that contains the GA0650
disk or to the folder containing the file you downloaded from an
online service.
For example, if you put the disk in drive A, you would type the
following:
a:
9. Click Continue.
To Disable the Single-Handed Layout and
Restore Your Original Windows NT Keyboard Layout
------------------------------------------------
1. Run Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, double-click the International icon. The
International dialog box appears.
3. In the Keyboard Layout box, click the keyboard layout you
previously used.
4. Click OK.
INSTALLING A DVORAK KEYBOARD LAYOUT FOR WINDOWS 95
==================================================
To Install a U.S. Dvorak Keyboard Layout for Two-Handed Typists
---------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: If you use MS-DOS-based programs with Windows 95, you must
install the Dvorak layouts for MS-DOS in order to get Dvorak support
for those programs. For instructions, see the previous section,
"Installing a Dvorak Keyboard Layout for MS-DOS."
1. In Control Panel, double-click the Keyboard icon. Or, in Control
Panel, select the Keyboard icon with the ARROW keys and then press
ENTER.
2. Click the Language tab. Or, select the Language tab by pressing
CTRL+TAB.
3. Click the language to which you want to add the Dvorak layout, and
then click Properties. Or, use the ARROW keys to select the
language to which you want to add the Dvorak layout, press TAB
until Properties is selected, and then press ENTER.
4. In the Keyboard Layout box, click United States-Dvorak, and then
click OK. Or, use the ARROW keys to select United States-Dvorak,
and then press ENTER.
5. Click OK. Or, press TAB until OK is selected, and then press
ENTER.
To Install a U.S. Dvorak Keyboard Layout for Single-Handed Typists
------------------------------------------------------------------
1. If you received a disk with this Application Note, insert the disk
in the appropriate floppy disk drive.
If you downloaded this Application Note from an online service,
skip to step 2. This procedure assumes that you have already
downloaded and extracted the compressed file.
2. Use Windows Explorer or My Computer to copy the following files
from the GA0650 disk or the folder containing the file you
downloaded from an online service to an empty folder on the hard
disk:
Dvoraklr.inf
Kbddvl.kbd
Kbddvr.kbd
Multilng.inf
3. In Windows Explorer or My Computer, use the right mouse button to
click the Dvoraklr.inf file you copied to the new folder in step
2, and then click Install on the menu that appears. Or, use the
ARROW keys to select the Dvoraklr.inf file, and then press
SHIFT+F10.
4. In Control Panel, double-click the Keyboard icon. Or, in Control
Panel, select the Keyboard icon with the ARROW keys and then press
ENTER.
5. Click the Language tab. Or, select the Language tab by pressing
CTRL+TAB.
6. Click the language to which you want to add the Dvorak layout, and
then click Properties. Or, use the ARROW keys to select the
language to which you want to add the Dvorak layout, press TAB
until Properties is selected, and then press ENTER.
7. In the Keyboard Layout box, click either United States-LH Dvorak
for left-handed typists or United States-RH Dvorak for right-
handed typists, and then click OK. Or, use the ARROW keys to
select either United States-LH Dvorak for left-handed typists or
United States-RH for right-handed typists, and then press ENTER.
8. Click OK. Or, press TAB until OK is selected, and then press
ENTER.
To Disable the Dvorak Layout and
Restore Your Original Windows 95 Keyboard Layout
------------------------------------------------
1. In Control Panel, double-click the Keyboard icon. Or, in Control
Panel, select the Keyboard icon with the ARROW keys and then press
ENTER.
2. Click the Language tab. Or, select the Language tab by pressing
CTRL+TAB.
3. Click the language from which you want to remove the Dvorak
layout, and then click Properties. Or, use the ARROW keys to
select the language from which you want to remove the Dvorak
layout, press TAB until Properties is selected, and then press
ENTER.
4. In the Keyboard Layout box, click the layout you previously used,
and then click OK. Or, use the ARROW keys to select the layout you
previously used, and then press ENTER.
5. Click OK. Or, press TAB until OK is selected, and then press
ENTER.
To Switch Between a Dvorak Layout and Another Layout
----------------------------------------------------
You may need to switch back and forth between the Dvorak layout and
another layout. An easy way to do this is to set up the Dvorak layout
as another language, and then switch back and forth between languages.
To do so, follow these steps:
1. Make sure the Dvorak layout you want to use is already installed
and operational on your computer. Refer to the previous sections
if you need instructions for installing the Dvorak layout.
2. Follow the instructions in the "To disable the Dvorak layout and
restore your original Windows 95 keyboard layout" section above to
restore your original layout.
3. In Control Panel, double-click the Keyboard icon. Or, in Control
Panel, select the Keyboard icon with the ARROW keys and then press
ENTER.
4. Click the Language tab. Or, select the Language tab by pressing
CTRL+TAB.
5. Click Add, or press ALT+D.
6. In the Language box, click a language other than the language you
are currently using, and then click OK. Or, use the ARROW keys to
select a language other than the language you are currently using,
and then press ENTER.
NOTE: It does not matter which language you choose, because the
Dvorak layout will be applied to the language instead of the
normal keyboard layout for that language. It is helpful to choose
a language that has a different two-letter code to indicate which
language is in use. We recommend choosing Danish because it uses
"Da" as its two-letter code, which might be helpful in
distinguishing it as the Dvorak layout.
7. Click the language to which you want to add the Dvorak layout, and
then click Properties. Or, use the ARROW keys to select the
language to which you want to add the Dvorak layout, press TAB
until Properties is selected, and then press ENTER.
NOTE: Make sure to apply the Dvorak layout to the new language,
and not to the "English (United States)" language.
8. In the Keyboard Layout box, click United States-Dvorak for two-
handed typists, United States-LH Dvorak for left-handed typists,
or United States-RH Dvorak for right-handed typists, and then
click OK. Or, use the ARROW keys to select United States-Dvorak
for two-handed typists, United States-LH Dvorak for left-handed
typists, or United States-RH for right-handed typists, and then
press ENTER.
9. In the Switch Languages box, click the option you want to use to
switch languages. Or, press TAB until the selection enters the
Switch Languages box, and then use the ARROW keys to select the
option you want.
10. If you want a constant language indicator on the screen, click the
Enable Indicator On Taskbar check box to select it. Or, press TAB
until Enable Indicator On Taskbar is selected, and then press
SPACE BAR to place a check mark in the check box.
11. Click OK. Or, press TAB until OK is selected, and then press
ENTER.
NOTE: If you enabled the Enable Indicator On Taskbar option, you
can click the two-letter language code on the taskbar and then
click the language you want to use. You can also use the right
mouse button to click the two-letter code and then click What's
This for help or Properties to open Keyboard properties.
LEARNING TO USE THE DVORAK KEYBOARD LAYOUTS
===========================================
The illustrations on the next page can help you learn a new keyboard
layout. You may want to take a class or purchase stickers to put on
your keys so that you can see the new layout as you type. For
information about classes and stickers, contact:
KEYTIME
4516 NE 54th St.
Seattle, WA 98105-2933
(206) 522-TYPE (522-8973)
(207) 524-2238 (fax)
STANDARD QWERTY KEYBOARD LAYOUT
--------------------------------------------
~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ +
` 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 - = bks
--------------------------------------------
{ } |
tb Q W E R T Y U I O P [ ] \
--------------------------------------------
cps : "
lck A S D F G H J K L ; ' entr
--------------------------------------------
< > ?
shft Z X C V B N M , . / shft
--------------------------------------------
TWO-HANDED DVORAK KEYBOARD LAYOUT
--------------------------------------------
~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) { }
` 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 [ ] bks
--------------------------------------------
" < > ? +
tb ' , . P Y F G C R L / = \
--------------------------------------------
cps _
lck A O E U I D H T N S - entr
--------------------------------------------
:
shft ; Q J K X B M W V Z shft
--------------------------------------------
RIGHT SINGLE-HANDED DVORAK KEYBOARD LAYOUT
--------------------------------------------
~ ! @ # $ ? { }
` 1 2 3 4 J L M F P / [ ] bks
--------------------------------------------
% ^ > : + |
tb 5 6 Q . O R S U Y B ; = \
--------------------------------------------
cps & * _
lck 7 8 Z A E H T D C K - entr
--------------------------------------------
( ) < "
shft 9 0 X , I N W V G ' shft
--------------------------------------------
LEFT SINGLE-HANDED DVORAD KEYBOARD LAYOUT
--------------------------------------------
~ { } ? $ # @ !
` [ ] / P F M L J 4 3 2 1 bks
--------------------------------------------
: > ^ % + |
tb ; Q B Y U R S O . 6 5 = \
--------------------------------------------
cps _ * &
lck - K C D T H E A Z 8 7 entr
--------------------------------------------
" < ) (
shft ' X G V W N I , 0 9 shft
--------------------------------------------
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