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Dear Aunt TUAW: Help find a Dvorak Keyboard for the Mac
Dear Aunt TUAW, A coworker of mine is wondering if Auntie knows of a good Mac-friendly Dvorak keyboard. Do you know of one? Your loving nephew, MJ
iPad support for hardware Dvorak keyboards in latest SDK beta
A few months ago Macworld asked where's the iPad's Dvorak keyboard? Well, in the iPhone SDK 3.2 Beta 5, which was released on Tuesday, there's support for hardware Dvorak keyboards in the OS; however, still no sign of a soft keyboard layout for Dvorak fans. A source sent us the above screen shot from the iPad simulator, showing Dvorak layouts as a hardware choice -- and if you've seen a Bluetooth Dvorak keyboard lately, let us know. This setting would presumably allow you to use a standard keyboard with the Dvorak layout, however, and apply stickers to the keys if needed. Apple's official tech specs for the iPad still only list keyboard support for the following: English (U.S.), English (UK), French (France, Canada), German, Japanese (QWERTY), Dutch, Flemish, Spanish, Italian, Simplified Chinese (Handwriting and Pinyin), Russian. As Wikipedia states, on a Dvorak keyboard, the letters and frequently-occurring punctuation are organized the letters and frequently-occurring punctuation "so that the cumulative distance traveled by the 10 fingers when touch-typing typical English text is closer to the minimum than when touch-typing that same text via the dominant QWERTY layout. This reduction in distance traveled was originally purported to permit faster rates of typing, but in later years is also purported to reduce repetitive-strain injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome." The Dvorak keyboard was patented in 1936 by August Dvorak. [Update: In the original post I used the explanation of a Dvorak keyboard from Wikipedia. While I did originally link directly to the Wikipedia article in the paragraph, I failed to explicitly state or use quotations that I had done so. I apologize for any confusion that this caused and thank the readers who pointed my error out. The error was mine and mine alone.]
Checking in with the pundits on Android and the Open Handset Alliance
It already seems like an eternity ago, but Google's big Open Handset Alliance / Android announcement was arguably the biggest news of the week, and it inspired a number of tech pundits and bloggers to weigh in -- and Steve Ballmer to talk some major smack. Since no one really knows how any of this is going to play out, we thought we'd round up some of the more interesting viewpoints for easy reference -- and maybe some easy laughs -- when we get our hands on the first "GPhone" in late 2008.We gotta start with John Dvorak, who cut straight to the point and said "The Google phone is doomed." Additional money quotes include "Google is actually not a charismatic company that can make this new platform happen in a big way," and "When I see a bunch of joiners jumping on some unknown, unreleased unfinished pipe dream, I actually laugh." He even roped in the iPhone, calling it more of a "photo album than a phone." Actually, Dvorak's whole column is a great read even if just to experience the man's naked anger towards every phone ever made.Not to be outdone at the contrarian game, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer came out swinging as well, saying "Their efforts are just some words on paper right now." Actually, he does have a point there -- although Google and HTC may have been developing that "Dream" prototype, the real news will come in late 2008 when Android devices start shipping. How does that compare to WinMo, Steve? "They have a press release, we have many, many millions of customers, great software, many hardware devices and they're welcome in our world."
Hey Dvorak, welcome to 1984
Maybe I shouldn't even link to this latest John C. Dvorak column, since in the past he's essentially admitted to antagonizing Mac users just to get traffic, but it's not every day that Dvorak basically admits that the Mac is superior. He goes out of his way to tell us he's not switching for his "personal use" but having used an iMac for the past couple of months on some other job, he's now allowing that "the machine is not half bad." He actually tries to downplay the gap between Macs and PCs - "the differences between the Mac and the PC that really matter are minor" - but he does concede that he senses "the OS is more solid than Microsoft Windows." He concludes with the obvious: Macs are more elegant and more useable. Well, Dvorak, welcome to 1984, better late than never.[via Digg]
Robot lawnmower kills Danish man
In what we surely hope isn't the opening salvo of the robot insurrection, a 45-year old Danish municipal worker was tragically killed by an industrial robotic lawnmower this afternoon, after the unit tumbled off a slope and onto the poor fellow doing his job. Although we've seen quite a few robotic lawnmowers, we're not too familiar with the RC-controlled Dvorak Spider 01 unit the man was using; our only hope is that this is, of course, an isolated incident.
Dvorak: Apple should pull the plug on the iPhone
Prepare to have your feathers ruffled Apple fanboys, John Dvorak -- a name synonymous with curmudgeon -- has called on Apple to "pull the plug on the iPhone" and pass it along to some other "suckers" before it's too late. His case? Essentially, as a newcomer "there is no likelihood that Apple can be successful in a [cellphone] business this competitive." Echoing similar sentiments already shared by Palm's Ed Colligan. Of course, we've already witnessed a newcomer step into the mobile handset business, which Dvorak describes as a "buzz saw waiting to chop up newbies," and emerge as the boutique, go-to provider for high-end handsets -- heard of HTC? Hell, you don't have to be a fanboy or even an iPhone fan to feel the retch of nonsensical nausea welling within. Look, we're not saying Apple's success is guaranteed by any stretch, but let's call this rant what it is: shameless attention whoring. Well, he's got it.[Photo by Jason DeFillippo]
Dvorak Keyboard on the MacBook
Flickr user sjwalsh384 has a neat Dvorak keyboard mod for the MacBook. Apparently fond of the alternative and supposedly faster Dvorak keyboard layout, he rearranged the key caps on his MacBook (their square shape makes this relatively easy). He has some photos on flickr documenting the process. Worth a look if you're a Dvorak fan or just want to know what the back of a MacBook key looks like, but you're too chicken (like me) to pry one off.[Via Digg - thanks to those who sent this in]
The "game console couch squat" phenomenon
John Dvorak has posted an article over at PC Magazine that takes a look at new technology from the modern world that has caused us to behave strangely, at least from the perspective of a person from 100 years ago. Some examples include the chatroom, where teenagers spend hours typing and reading pointless messages and the "digital camera arm stretch" where people hold their digicams at an arm's length instead of peeking through a viewfinder.The most relevant example for this blog is the "game console couch squat" that many gamers tend to exhibit. As Dvorak says, "this is now a stereotyped image" that is used to represent gamers in TV commercials, TV shows and movies. The couch squat is usually accompanied by gyrating body and hand movements as the player guides his or her on-screen persona. I take issue with Dvorak's claim that this is an entirely new phenomenon: the phrase "on the edge of your seat" was used decades before video games to imply a person's immersion in a story or a movie. We can expect that the Xbox 360 and the PS3 controller will continue to advance the stereotype (and, in the case of the PS3's motion sensitivity, the arm movements), but there's always the chance that the Wii's single-handed approach to game control will stir things up a bit. [Image: Couch Gamers on Flickr]
The love/hate relationship with Apple
You probably wouldn't be reading this if you did't enjoy working on your Apple computer. Now ask yourself, "why?" The answers are as varied as the users. Now ask yourself what really irks you about working on your Mac, or Apple as a company... Again, we've all got something that grinds our gears,for insntace, AppleMatters just put up a list of best and worst Macs. Think you'll see that for Gateway, Dell, or even Sony, with their computers named after robotic serial numbers? As Apple's market share and brand name expand we're seeing an increase in Apple haters, and they are becoming more vocal. Mac zealots, while becoming slightly less shrill, are also in the mix helping put nothing in perspective. So what's to make of all this? As a user of Apple products for almost 30 years I wanted to take a look at the love/hate relationship between Apple, its fans, and detractors.In the iPod space people love to hate Apple for the reasons Microsoft tells them to: your choice is limited. You can only use the iPod with iTunes. This is seen as the Mac OS "problem" all over again by people like Dvorak. Personally, part of the reason the iPod sells so well, in my opinion, is that for the average consumer there may be too much choice. The average person doesn't want to search all over creation for the latest brain-dead beats. They want to plug in their doohickey and have it automagically do things (like think) for them. This isn't Think Differently, it's just brilliant execution of the idea that consumers want stuff, and they want to get it easily. Plays for Sure? Whatever. People know if they can't put diesel in their car, and they know the iPod works with iTunes. So far, that's been a winning combo.The Mac platform become a hot topic again way back in the go-go 90's (remember that decade?) after Master and Commander of the Far Side of the Computer World, Mr. Steve Jobs, introduced the iMac . We're beyond all the translucent plastic knockoff items you used to find in Target, and we're down to this: it's easier to make things on a Mac and it's safer to use a Mac. At least one of these is easily arguable. Granted, if I want to make Machinima, the PC is a better platform. In fact, there is way more software for PC's than Mac's, but how much of it is easy to use? It might sound like a Yogi Bearism, but everything's easy when you know how. Obviously someone who can sit at home in grandma's basement and figure out every little button in WinAmp is going to have an advantage over an iTunes noob. But again, the average consumer can't be bothered with registry hacks and driver issues. At the end of every day a person likes to put their machine to sleep, secure in the knowledge that all their hard work will be there another day. And that they'll be able to do something about it. Which brings me to the safety issue...
Dvorak says Microsoft is dead in the water
Usually John Dvorak is telling us that Apple is going to switch to Windows (honest! Just you wait and see) but now he turns his sights on Microsoft. He argues that Microsoft is, simply put, boring and he is right (shocker!). Dvorak says that Microsoft will continue to make lots of money, but nothing that they are working it is very innovative (at least nothing that isn't in Microsoft Research Labs).I have to agree with him, Microsoft is past the point when it can take chances with its OS. Too many businesses and users depend on it, so gone is the opportunity to try something new and exciting. You won't see Microsoft completely changing their OS architecture like Apple did because they simply can't.It almost makes me feel sad for the folks in Redmond. Almost.
For those of you worried about security...
There is a little application I mentioned way back in September 2005: MacScan. Does it work? Well I have no idea, because I don't use it, and I've never heard of any particular spyware for the Mac. Yet somehow a new version is out which protects against "all the latest threats." Like that Dvorak virus? Anyway, MacScan is now a Univeral Binary, so you Intel Maccers can finally rest assured knowing your box is safe. At least, while it's booted into the Mac OS. Aw dang, I just couldn't get through one post without a reference to, uh, what was that thing again? The one that lets you boot into Windows?
The Battle for Chief Moron Continues
President of the Moron Society, Rob Enderle, has had his latest blather incomprehensible ramblings column published by TechNewsWorld, in which he postulates a future where Microsoft has purchased Apple, and the reasons for why it might happen. I could spend an hour debunking his entire column (for instance, he thinks the $150 million that Microsoft invested in Apple in 1997 was enough money to save the company from bankruptcy), but it's much more fun to read the comments here. Don't worry, there's plenty for everyone--this is a column rife with silliness and poor analysis. For awhile, I was convinced that Dvorak had cinched the prize for Chief Moron, but with this column, Mr Enderle has charged back into contention. I can't wait to see what Dvorak comes up with for his next column.
Dvorak off his meds: claims Apple switching to Windows
Someone. Please. Help Dvorak find his meds. He's lost them again, resulting in yet another shock-value crackpot theory article that I chose not to link to on general principle. This time around, Dvorak has once again put inaccurate facts on the table and drudged up baseless speculation that Apple could - and already is - dropping Mac OS X to simply run Windows on their Macs.No, that wasn't a typo. Dvorak thinks Apple is going to trash Mac OS X for Windows in what could be "the most phenomenal turnabout in the history of desktop computing," whatever that's supposed to mean (search for the article at PC Magazine, if you really want to read it). Most of his 'evidence' is based on claims that no one's switching over to the Mac, despite all of Apple's buzz over the last couple years and the (disputed) "iPod halo effect." Apparently, John didn't notice that Apple doubled its U.S. market share last year to 6.6%. While that isn't a monumental number, the fact that it doubled in barely a year is a significant factor I think John simply missed in what I'm sure was highly methodical research. Let's also not forget that Dell more or less asked Apple if they could sell OS X on their computers - what better way to cut down on customer service expenses?The rest of his argument cites Apple dropping FireWire in the iPod, Apple's switch to Intel and the fact that large vendors like Adobe weren't ready when the new Intel machines landed. It seems that through his impeccable research, Dvorak also missed previous discussion about FireWire and its high-bandwidth, largely pro purpose, as well as the iPod's mass-market target. Let's also not forget that Adobe can't simply flip a switch and make CS hop over to the Intel side of the Mac CPU fence.Poking holes in Dvorak's ideas aside, I'm starting to wonder if his articles are becoming not much more than thickly-veiled calls for help. Clearly, he's beginning to lose it, and I wonder if he's just having a hard time asking for the help he so clearly needs. Who's up for a "save John C. Dvorak" fund-raiser?[thanks David Anasco. Image courtesy of John C. Dvorak's Wikipedia entry]
TWiT Number 38: Comments from the live taping
In lieu of other parties on Tuesday night, I was lucky enough to get registered for the live recording of This Week in Tech, or as it is popularly called, TWiT. For those who don't know, TWiT is one of the most popular podcasts out there, featuring the inimitable Leo Laporte (he used to be on TechTV) and his band of merry tech pundits and writers. Regular guests include Patrick Norton, Kevin Rose, and resident grumpy old guy John C. Dvorak.This particular recording found a few Mac notables, including Chris Breen, and Amber MacArthur of Command-N (though she was also on TechTV for a bit too, and still is in Canada). There was the potential of Woz joining in, but I believe he had obligations to his company Wheels of Zeus, who have an IPO beginning soon. The last bit of the show found the Energizer bunny known as David Pogue also joining in. If you get a chance, be sure to listen. Hopefully it'll be ready by this weekend...More after the jump.
