[CyberFonic]

Learn to touch type. Don't look at the keyboard, just read what you are typing. Some touch typing tutors are good for the exercises. Just like learning the scales on a piano.

I do a lot of sysadmin work so I stick with QWERTY layout because it is everywhere. I did try Dvorak and split keyboards, didn't find any speed gain. Probably due to the fact that I learnt to touch type QWERTY on typewriters without white-out.