why computer keyboards have the "QWERTY" design, with all the letters jumbled up? Why aren't the keys alphabetical?
Does it have something to do with which letters are most used? Least used? Or did someone just think it would be funny to make you reach for the "e" when you're trying to type "cerulean"?
2007-09-13 08:08:15 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
QWERTY keyboards were actually laid out in the days of mechanical keyboards.
It is a combination if placing the most commonly used letters under the resting place of the fingers to speed up typing, and also arranging it so that common key combinations were not too close as the mechanical arms that actually hit the paper could get stuck together and jam up the works.
So it was done to speed up typing, but not too much as the key jams would actually slow typing down.
In the age of electronic keyboards, without the mechanical issues the DVORAK layout is actually faster. But everyone has learned QWERTY, so few people go though the learning curve to get that few extra words per minute.
2007-09-13 08:20:05 · answer #1 · answered by Simon T 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The 'computer' keyboard is directly derived from the old typewriter keyboard. As the original typewriters were mechanically slower than a reasonably quick typist the keys were arranged to slow the typist down. Hence the common letters, a, s and e are used by the third and fourth finger of the left hand.
Hope this helps.
2007-09-13 15:17:24 · answer #2 · answered by Liz O 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Has to do with standardization from the typewriter days. There is consideration for the centered or rested right-handed positioning and the mostly frequently used letters in English that can be struck from that position.
That is why the Q is struck with the left pinky, it's harder for right-handers but used infrequently. Left handed people typically do not like the QWERTY system.
2007-09-13 15:19:21 · answer #3 · answered by Rick A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well "e" is the letter most used in our alphabet, so I'm not sure why the letters are all jumbled up, sorry I couldn't be more help,lol!
2007-09-13 18:15:13 · answer #4 · answered by Constance C 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
typing would be more difficult if the letters were in alphabetical order. They are set out for touch typing with letters that are used more nearer the fingers you use more for typing
2007-09-13 15:16:00 · answer #5 · answered by tommy d 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
computter keyboard was based on typewriter keyboard.. if you look at typewriter ,old ones> you'll see qwerty as well on it.
2007-09-13 15:15:36 · answer #6 · answered by steven25t 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
middle row is most used characters
top row is most used after middle row
and the down row is after the top row
2007-09-13 15:13:53 · answer #7 · answered by Alireza 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋