While trying to add the gnome-keyboard-applet to my gnome 2.8 panel, (in order to switch to Dvorak), I managed to stumble upon a problem I had a while back. For some reason, adding this applet causes the gnome-panel to crash, and it won't start up successfully again until you either remove it from the panel configuration using gconf or kill it with 'killall gnome-keyboard-applet' which will then prompt you to remove it from the gconf properties.
For more information, take a look at my post on forums.gentoo.org.
Following some links I found the Dvorty hardware switchable keyboard. That's pretty neat, but expensive.
I've done pretty well with dvorak on whatever system for the past 6 years or so. I recommend it.
Occassionally, I feel I should look into the left-hand dvorak now. Then I can hold my 7-week old in my right arm, and still sort of type with my left. :) Single-handed hunt-n-peck on a standard dvorak layout (with qwerty labels) gets challenging.
Posted by: john at August 30, 2005 08:53 AM