created November 17, 2006 · complexity basic · author Jesse · version 5.7
When one switches to the Dvorak keyboard and uses Vim it becomes difficult to use the standard (h,j,k,l) movement keys. This is a great way to have the same movement locations and retain all of the functionality. There are also a few added benefits, that can be used. Add this to your vimrc:
The fixes for what is broken
- Delete 'd' -> Junk 'j'
- Next 'n' -> ???? 'l'
- Previous 'N' -> ? 'L'
There were also some changes for familiarity, 's'/'S' can be used to access command mode (the old location of the :, which still works).
Added Benefits
- End of line '$' -also- '-'
- Beginning of line '^' -also- '_'
- Move up 8 'T'
- Move down 8 'H'
- Next window <C-w><C-w> -also- 'N'
- Swap windows <C-w><C-r> -also- 'D'
" Dvorak it! no d h no h j no t k no n l no s : no S : no j d no l n no L N " Added benefits no - $ no _ ^ no N <C-w><C-w> "no T <C-w><C-r> no H 8<down> no T 8<up> no D <C-w><C-r>
Comments
I used to use something very similar to this, but lately I've felt better off just using the default keymappings under Dvorak. When I used a keymapping file for basic movement commands, I quickly became dependent on it, and I'd be unable to accomplish even simple Vim tasks under Dvorak without my handy mapping.
Agreed: h is left of the l, on the same hand; jk are adjacent. It's actually pretty convenient to scroll up/down with the left hand using the default layout. If Dvorak is what you used before you found Vim, it works just fine with the default bindings!
I think using :keymap dvorak is probably a better way to retain default 'nethack-style' movement though.