I want to take a moment to jot down a list of trials I didn’t see coming. They accumulated to the point that after 4 months, I wanted to quit. However it was too late, and I am -for better or worse- too impatient to use QWERTY.

Unexpected difficulties with Colemak

1. When computer boots, I need to type my password in QWERTY mode until app loads (true for mac and windows, not true for ubuntu)
2. I need to install software inside my virtual machines, as well as on the computer
3. How frequently I type on other peoples computers, especially when training new hires
4. After learning the keys, my muscle memory for timings would be slightly off
5. Key-bindings in video games (StarCraft 2) are demolished
6. Colemak isn’t necessarily the best, there are new trendy ones showing up daily

With these being noted, I still think it’s worth giving up QWERTY. For a new adopter I’d suggest viewing a few other alternatives as well, including the Workman, Norman and maybe others too.

One idea for the future that would make life a lot easier would be an app which detects your keyboard layout as you type and swaps them automatically. When my friend types “google.com” into my laptop, and the computer sees “tlltuk.c;m” it will figure it out and just swap back to QWERTY.