Brekaing the habbit

[carrja99]

I've been using computers for years now, almost about 18 years, give or take.

Anyway, there is something that I've always done. I've alsways been a touch typist. usually, this is no problem, and I type pretty fast regardless. However, while my boss was doing some quick linux administration the other day, it dawned on me that I could probably type about 30 wpm faster if I wasn't a touch typist.

So, uh, how can I break the habbit?

[je_fro]

Using only one finger on each hand, the "hunt-and-peck" method works well....
:D

[Choozo]

Originally posted by je_fro
Using only one finger on each hand, the "hunt-and-peck" method works well....
:D .... or as we occasionally name it over here - the eagle method; soaring over the keyboard and swooping down to hit the right key :D

[joesbox]

i have always made fun of my boss due to the fact that he uses the "hunt-and-peck" method. he really doesn't like it when i call him a hunt-'n'-pecker. lol
but really, what is a touch typist?? i use the method that was tought to me while in typing class in school.

[Fryguy8]

touch typing is typing without looking basically. I can do both, doesn't really matter to me. Best thing is to just get used to looking at the keyboard. There's no trick to it. Keep in mind however that you will lose your touchtyping ability if you stop doing it, so :(

[Parcival]

Take a keyboarding class at the local college, it will serve you for a lifetime - unless you're a European like me who takes that kind of class in the US and then goes back to Europe too lazy to learn the different keys. :D

[jedthehumanoid]

you guys got me lost here. if touch typing is when you don't look at the keys, then what's the problem? you'll type faster by memory....


now if your trying to break the habit of looking then just turn the lights off or put a towel over your hands for a month. that'll fix you up real good.

[hard candy]

Does Dragon Naturally Speaking run on linux? :)

[carrja99]

ack... I'm sorry. By touch typing I meant using only one or two fingers one each hand to type.... instead of using all my fingers on the home row keys.

[Sepero]

Heheh. I wonder if there's anybody out there that types like me? I use all of the fingers on my right hand, and I don't use my left hand at-all. Not that I couldn't learn to type with my left hand, just that it allows me to do 2 things at one time(brush my teeth/have a drink). :D

[Parcival]

You brush teeth and code at the same time??? Hmm, obviously life's very diverse. :)

[banzaikai]

Diverse?

You'd get a kick outta me.

My typing teacher always admonished me for looking at the keyboard as I typed. This is a big no-no. However, I had the highest accuracy in the class. Why? I glanced at the text (speed reader), memorized it (it's a gift), and then proceeded to punch away at the ol' Olympus manual typewriter. Drove her nuts.

Then, there's my hands. You see, I can play two notes past an octave on a piano with just one hand (in other words, a ten-note spread). Yes, I am pretty good at one-handed typing, only because my hand can encompass 2/3rds of most keyboards (try doing a CTRL-ALT-DEL single-handed). In fact, my most common mistakes are from over-reaching the keys.

Tie all that together with a hunt-and-peck method learned from years of CTRL and ALT key combos, and you get an idea of how I type. I can get just about anyone to roll their eyes...

banzai "need a bigger keyboard" kai :rolleyes:

[Sepero]

Originally posted by banzaikai
try doing a CTRL-ALT-DEL single-handedI know the feeling. :p

[sharth]

basically, i'd say don't look at the keyboard. but really, once you get into your set typing method, its fairly hard to get out of it.

[Fryguy8]

BTW: has anybody noticed that he mistyped in the title?

I like my typing style, I usually look at the screen, but will occasionally glance down. I'm VERY bad at typing off paper nowadays since I focus on the screen so much (so I can see mistakes etc), I always lose my place in the paper and stuff. Luckily I don't have to type from other sources too much except for minor quoting.

[viperlin]

i started with the hunt and peck method using 2 hands, while i am typing this i am looking at the keyboard but not realy concentrating on it i use my left hand more that my right left hand using my middle finger and my left thumb on space with only my right middle finger on the keyboards right. this took me roughtly 1 min to type out in full but only due to some mistakes and having to correct them

[robagen]

Next hurdle is "which keyboard u use", that is..where's the slashes?
The Backslash, and the frontslash(sic). "\" and "/" .
I vote for the er standard IBM layout(backslash above the enter key).
:D I love to find "mint" stock keyboards(ones with less than 3,000,000
internet addon buttons above the F1,F2--at computer fairs.:D