I use a Dvorak keyboard layout now. It's somewhat more comfortable than Qwerty, but I'm not sure I would recommend switching. I might be able to recommend it with confidence after I train myself to switch back and forth. (I've been avoiding touch-typing on Qwerty keyboards entirely since August of 1999, for Dvorak training purposes.)
I think about chord keyboards and voice recognition sometimes. Keyboards seem like such a silly interface.
That said, here are the keys I use almost exclusively:
~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) { }
` 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 [ ] Backspace
" < > P Y F G C R L ? + |
Tab ' , . / = \
A O E U I D H T N S _
Control - Enter
: Q J K X B M W V Z
Shift ; Shift
Meta Space
I use the common locations for Tilde and Backslash and the common Dvorak layout for the other graphic characters. Backspace is the usual destructive backspace, so it sends DEL on ASCII terminals, not BS.
I've fixed Caps Lock, i.e., I've made it Control.
Most keyboards have an Escape key above Tilde, which Escape key I do use sometimes. I'm trying to get into the habit of just typing C-[ instead.
Here's a compact, logical view:
`12345 67890[]B T',.py fgcrl/=\ Caoeui dhtns-E S;qjkx bmwvzS M _
The capital letters abbreviate Backspace, Tab, Control, Enter, Shift, and Meta, respectively. Underscore stands for Space, in the spot where I usually strike it with my right thumb.
Given the resting positions of my thumbs, I might prefer Meta to be two keys further to the right, which is well into the traditional space bar. Should I be using my left thumb for Space more often?