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Winter 1996, Page 3

Canon Markets Word Processors with Dvorak Emulation

It was with interest that I read your letter regarding the Dvorak keyboard. About ten years ago I read an article about it and August Dvorak, and began questioning Canon management about incorporating the facility in the typewriters we marketed. Shortly afterward, to my surprise, the Dvorak keyboard emulation became available through the software in new typewriters.
I have been amused ever since by calls from people who cannot return to the QWERTY keyboard after trying out that "strange" key layout.
Current models available with a facility to emulate the Dvorak keyboard and the recommended retail prices for them are as follows:

   AP105 $500.00       AP390 $770.00
   AP115 $679.00       AP780 $1419.00
   AP340 $600.00       AP8000III $1499.00

These values are recommended retail prices. Individual Canon dealers are at liberty to set a price as they wish. Canon does not determine sale price for independent dealers.
We have an extended network of sales dealers around the country. If you need to contact one, in a specific location, you can call Canon at (800) 828-4040.
At the present time, Canon has no plans to market a one handed keyboard product. However, I have submitted a recommendation to investigate its incorporation in an existing product called a "Communicator". This is a device used by speech impaired people to communicate. The one-handed keyboard, I think, would be ideal for this product. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

Alan J. Vogel
Technical Support Specialist
Canon U.S.A. Inc.

Product Review:

The Keytime 105 Plus Keyboard

Read this review. Even if you don't use a Macintosh. Even if you don't own a computer. There is important information in this article for anybody who is interested in the growth of the Dvorak community. But first, let's roll up our sleeves and take a hard look at Keytime's Dvorak keyboard for the Macintosh.
The Keytime 105 Plus Keyboard is a really great product.
Whew! So much for the review. Now let's get down to business. We all want to see the Dvorak layout "catch on". Most of us, once we learn of the origins of QWERTY and the superior alternative, wonder why anyone would hesitate to switch immediately.
It is an exciting part of my job to talk with the newly converted. These people talk with enthusiasm about their discovery of Dvorak, and they can't wait to share this new found treasure with everyone they meet. Where to start? Who to tell first? It doesn't take long for them to think of their local school system. All those children-many learning to type for the first time! Why start them out with a system designed to make typing difficult when such a wonderful alternative already exists?
That's when they hit the brick wall. Many school systems talk about embracing innovation and technology. Yet when it comes to making real changes-even what seem to be minor changes-it's a different story. (I have worked in school systems for the last twelve years, so I am speaking from direct experience.) The question: How can a parent or teacher nudge a seemingly unmovable bureaucracy into at least trying the Dvorak layout? The answer: Give them something for free.
The Dvorak layout itself is free, of course, but that often isn't enough. When a less than enthused person is told that they may have to add software to their computers, they often balk. Many don't know how to add software and don't even want to try. And you can forget adding software for them-they aren't going to want you messing with their computers. Besides that, there are quite a few people who believe that anything free just can't be very good.
For these people, the Keytime 105 Plus Keyboard is perfect. What I am suggesting is that you buy the keyboard from Keytime and donate to your local school. Approximately 60% of computers in school systems are Macintosh. Check with your school-that's probably what they have. The Keytime 105 Plus Keyboard is Macintosh compatible. Take the keyboard out of the box, plug it in to the computer, turn on the computer, and you are ready to type in Dvorak. No need to install software or put stickers on an existing keyboard. The Keytime 105 Plus Keyboard has the Dvorak layout "hardwired" into the keyboard itself. The student types in Dvorak, and the keyboard translates it into QWERTY before sending the signal to the computer. 100% transparency, zero chance for any software conflicts.
Now for the best part. The Dvorak layout is imprinted on the top of the keycaps in black. On the facing side of the keys the QWERTY layout is imprinted in blue. Why? Because with the tap of a key (clearly marked on the top of the keyboard), the Keytime 105 Plus Keyboard converts to a "dumb" keyboard, ready to type in QWERTY! (Keytime went even further. There are DIP switches on the keyboard that will convert it to either of the Dvorak one hand layouts.)
Schools may balk at change, but few will say no to new computer hardware that is donated to them. When students see the different layout, they will start asking questions. When they discover that there is an alternate layout that they can learn to type on in one third the time it takes to learn QWERTY, watch the fireworks begin!

Price $199. Contact Keytime at 4516 NE 54th, Seattle WA 98105-2933
Phone: (206) 522-8973. FAX: (206) 524-2238.