Have you gotten everything you need from this job, professionally, financially, and personally? Are you satisfied this move is the best choice for you to grow professionally?

If you want this other position, give your current employer proper notice, and work with them to make the transition as smooth as possible. You can even discuss the possibility of being available as a consultant for a while if they need.

On the other hand, you might look over the offer and decide the trade-offs aren't worth it. Sometimes, the increased money is accompanied by increased stress...longer commutes, longer hours, more demands on your personal life (e.g., being on call 24/7). An interesting and rewarding job that pays less might be the better option then.

Chances are, however, you're intrigued by a new challenge, a new beginning, and better pay. Why not take the leap?

Remember, in the end, you are replaceable. It's part of business. People get sick, hit by buses...or better offers. Leave gracefully, don't burn any bridges, and you can continue to stay friends with those co-workers with whom you are close.

Best wishes on your decision. In this economy, it's rare to have such a choice to make!

My understanding is that Bell Labs tested a number of layouts before settling on the 1-2-3 matrix we use now as being simplest to master (see R. L. Deininger, Human Factors Engineering Studies of the Design and Use of Pushhutton Telephone Sets, 1960, Bell System Technical Journal [PDF]).

I'm not sure if calculator / comptometer manufacturers had their competing studies; I've heard that when Bell asked for an explanation, the answer was a shrug...comptometers were about 80 years by then, so I think the origins of their layout are as opaque and full of folk explanations as the QWERTY layout.

Regardless, I've encountered OP's request before...but for phone layouts which matched calculator layouts. I was working in an operations office a few years ago run by a person who was a fan of "Cheaper by the Dozen" who wanted to optimize our phone dialing speed (this was a fun place to work, even if this request sounds odd). We didn't have any success, but it was an interesting thought.

Thank you for your work with Slashdot. This place has helped keep my interest in tech alive with your combination of neat stories and wry, sometimes sarcastic summaries...the place won't be the same without you.

I discovered Slashdot and Google about the same time in 1997, and since then, both site names have now become part of our day-to-day language...we google stuff on the web only to discover the site we want has been slashdotted! If nothing else, that's a pretty awesome accomplishment!

Best wishes for whatever is next...thanks again, and have fun!