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Correcting Poor Typing Technique?

Posted by kdawson on from the quick-brown-fix dept.

An anonymous reader writes "When beginning to use keyboards I did not pay much attention to touch typing technique. Instead, I eventually achieved decent rates by simply doing what felt natural to me. These days my qwerty typing speed is in the range of 90-110 WPM, probably more toward the lower end. While this isn't too shabby, I feel some awkwardness in my technique (such as not using my little and ring fingers when I really should). Has anyone been in a similar situation, wanted to fix it, and actually done so? What do you reckon is the best way to fix half-broken typing? Touch training sessions? Should I switch to Dvorak and pretty much learn typing from scratch, but properly this time?"

3 of 425 comments (clear)

  1. Dvorak by sys.stdout.write · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Should I switch to Dvorak

    No. Even if you gain speed on your keyboard, the ability not to suck on other people's laptops is totally worth the 20 WPM decrement or whatever.

  2. If you're doing almost two words a second... by The+Archon+V2.0 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    ... does technique really matter? I've had three kinds of experiences as far as typing.

    School
    Teacher: Here's a typing test.
    Me: OK. (Types.)
    Teacher: Your technique is absolutely horrible, you'll never be able to progress like that. If you're going to take typing you'll have to start in the beginner class and relearn from scratch.
    Me: No, thanks.

    Clerical job interview
    Interviewer: Here's a typing test.
    Me: OK. (Types.)
    Interviewer: 90 WPM, only one error. You pass.

    Technical job interview
    Interviewer: You've been using computers since the Commodore 64 days and remember DOS. Yeah, we're not going to bother with a typing test. I'm sure you're fine.

    My uncle was a journalist who typed with two fingers his entire career. His editor didn't care if he typed them by slamming his face on the keys, as long as the reports were on time and well-written.

    So, unless you need to do something for ergonomic reasons or just a mad fit of self-improvement, probably not worth it. Your ring finger will get over the neglect.:)

  3. Re:Why? by mrclisdue · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm a touch typist, and I can type 150wpm.

    Bear in mind that *everyone* greatly embellishes their wpm.

    No citation needed, just leave the room and ask a few people...then test them if you really feel it would be necessary.

    cheers,