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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: Gattz on Wed, 09 February 2011, 09:36:46

Title: My Typing Style
Post by: Gattz on Wed, 09 February 2011, 09:36:46: Hi, I've noticed that a lot of the time I press the space button with my right index finger or my left thumb. I think it might have been due to years of FPS gaming and lack of proper training :).

Anyway, I've heard that you should be pressing it with the right thumb. Now if it was just preference, then I wouldn't mind, but if it affects my typing speed or accuracy then that bothers me. I think pressing with the left thumb isn't so bad, but the using the right index finger may bring me out of position or just increase the travel distance. What do you guys think?
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: bugfix on Wed, 09 February 2011, 09:54:02: What thumb you use doesn't really matter (I use the right one) but the using the right index can definitely slow you down.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: kill will on Wed, 09 February 2011, 10:00:09: typing home row is over rated, just dont twist any ligaments and you should be ok
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: Lanx on Wed, 09 February 2011, 10:31:23: either thumb doesn't really matter (i only use right thumb myself) index however might even cause ergo issues down the line, imo best to just focus on thumbs and do the old nun ruler slap to the hand if you notice yourself using your index for the space bar.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 09 February 2011, 13:29:11: I use my right thumb when pressing the space bar.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 09 February 2011, 13:34:25: Who gives a crap how you type, if it works for you that's all that matters. I hit the space bar with my right middle finger. It is unusual, but it works for me.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 09 February 2011, 13:37:20: Well, it never hurts to type right. After I learned how to type properly, I've made a lot less mistakes and can type a lot faster (Over 60 words every minute).
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 09 February 2011, 13:40:08: Who cares. On my Model M I make very few typos and can type at about 50 WPM, and I never type properly. Like I said, who cares how you type as long as it works for you...
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: bugfix on Wed, 09 February 2011, 14:01:41: You're just jelly because you can't type like a pro :P
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 09 February 2011, 14:04:53: He might not type like a pro but can sure troll like a pro.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: Jerri on Wed, 09 February 2011, 14:28:28: I think if you can type fast and efficent your way it is perfect. Personally i can't type like the normal touch type order. If i do that my brain constantly fights against that and i have about 20wpm. If i type my way i can easily type over 70wpm.

So i think, type like you are comfortable with, not like the rules say. Of course it looks more professional, if you type like some typing rules say (like the space bar hitting), but if it isn't comfortable for you, then it doesn't make any sense to me.

Jerri
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: Keymonger on Wed, 09 February 2011, 14:58:14: The point is that the 'learned' way is better in the long run. Of course it's difficult if you try it for a while and go back to your preferred, unofficial method... it takes time to get used to and develop the muscle memory. The best method is the one that makes you look at the keyboard the least. "There is no keyboard..."
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: Qwerty on Wed, 09 February 2011, 14:59:46: I mostly type using the index-to-ring fingers. Pinky works the shift and capslock. If I need to capitalize a letter, I enable, type, then disable the capslock instead of the shift. My right index works the spacebar 95% of the time, and occasionally my left thumb.

Drove my typing teacher nuts because I would consistently reach 70-80wpm with excellent accuracy.

I'm certain however that if I actually took the time to learn proper home-row typing, etc, I could reach 100wpm...

Someday I will probably obsess over this goal... Until then though, I like my way just fine.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: Keymonger on Wed, 09 February 2011, 15:09:39: Quote from: Qwerty;292463
I mostly type using the index-to-ring fingers. Pinky works the shift and capslock. If I need to capitalize a letter, I enable, type, then disable the capslock instead of the shift. My right index works the spacebar 95% of the time, and occasionally my left thumb.

Drove my typing teacher nuts because I would consistently reach 70-80wpm with excellent accuracy.

I'm certain however that if I actually took the time to learn proper home-row typing, etc, I could reach 100wpm...

Someday I will probably obsess over this goal... Until then though, I like my way just fine.

That's funny, I used to do 100+ wpm until last year when I learned to touch-type (Dvorak). Then I got stuck at 70-80 wpm. Of course, I didn't regret it. It was much more comfortable. Rarely looking at a keyboard is a pleasure that should not be underestimated...

I ditched Dvorak though, and I don't see why anyone should learn it. (Colemak is better.) I suspect Dvorak slowed me down (see: placement of L and S), and am now using my very own layout. Something tells me I'd be able to crack 100+ wpm with it once again...
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: Qwerty on Wed, 09 February 2011, 15:17:59: I've considered trying other layouts, but honestly, I just can't justify the time I think it would take to relearn a new keyboard layout when all my software is optimized for QWERTY layout anyways.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: db_Iodine on Wed, 09 February 2011, 15:23:57: Quote from: ripster;292446
As a mental exercise I alternate thumbs.

It's much harder than it first sounds.

I've also tried doing this a few times. It really slows me down since I have to think about using the left thumb for space (normally I use the right thumb).
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: speakeasy on Wed, 09 February 2011, 15:50:12: I use my left thumb exclusively to hit space and I type over 100 WPM. The only thing that bothered me about it is that all my spacebars have a distinct wearing on the left side, but I guess it won't be a problem now that I have a POM spacebar :)
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 09 February 2011, 16:32:42: Yeah, I also hit the spacebar with my left thumb exclusively. I also reversed the spacebar and it feels more natural to me.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: keyb_gr on Wed, 09 February 2011, 16:58:31: I guess this thread shows that there are as many ghetto typing techniques as there are ghetto typing users.

Hitting the space bar with anything else but the left or right thumb is interesting though. Wouldn't have occurred to me.
Quote from: Keymonger;292468
Rarely looking at a keyboard is a pleasure that should not be underestimated...

The same essentially goes for rarely looking at the screen, which is what I do. It's frequent alternations that kill you.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: Qwerty on Wed, 09 February 2011, 17:32:07: Might be interesting for some people to video tape their fingers typing out a few paragraphs or something.... I'm sure we've got plenty of other quirks in our typing techniques we've never noticed.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 09 February 2011, 17:33:26: The main quirks I got is I hit the Enter and Backspace keys with both my middle and ring finger at the same time.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: EverythingIBM on Wed, 09 February 2011, 18:22:12: Quote from: Keymonger;292468
That's funny, I used to do 100+ wpm until last year when I learned to touch-type (Dvorak). Then I got stuck at 70-80 wpm. Of course, I didn't regret it. It was much more comfortable. Rarely looking at a keyboard is a pleasure that should not be underestimated...

I ditched Dvorak though, and I don't see why anyone should learn it. (Colemak is better.) I suspect Dvorak slowed me down (see: placement of L and S), and am now using my very own layout. Something tells me I'd be able to crack 100+ wpm with it once again...

Oh I can do over 100WPM on even QWERTY. It is possible to do on a rubber dome (ch_123 could even attest to this I'm sure), but should be a fairly higher quality one.

I hit the spacebar with my left thumb: I don't know why either. Just something that happened I guess.
I also capitalize stuff by toggling capslock insanely fast. Using shift is less efficient because you have to HOLD it down, rather than merely tap it. In fact, shift-lock would be better than caps-lock.
But whatever.

So the generalized "typing" mannerisms don't necessarily depict how FAST you are at typing... that depends on other factors.
It's like playing music on the piano: playing different pieces of music won't make you faster or slower, it just depends on your coordination and such as how good your muscles/joints are in the hands.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: Lanx on Thu, 10 February 2011, 07:52:14: Quote from: Qwerty;292476
I've considered trying other layouts, but honestly, I just can't justify the time I think it would take to relearn a new keyboard layout when all my software is optimized for QWERTY layout anyways.

user name seems biased in this opinion, or that could just be me.

truth is truth tho, even in non english places worlds away qwerty is king, maybe a different take but still 90% qwerty non-theless.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: db_Iodine on Sat, 12 February 2011, 04:19:25: I think they should teach typing in schools as early as possible. It's quite a lot easier to learn new things when you're still young. I didn't get any instructions on how to type correctly. I just had to find out how to type and learn it completely myself. Not many kids these days will do this on their own.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: What is X? on Sat, 12 February 2011, 05:53:50: Quote from: ripster;292421
Typing is like sitting up straight.

You want to end up a hunchback?
Show Image
(http://www.celebritysmackblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/justin-bieber-mad-magazine.jpg)

sad i was sitting hunched worse than that when i saw it :(

I hit spacebar with my left thumb or sometimes my right index finger. I just can't understand using the right index finger :/
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: Tony on Fri, 18 February 2011, 02:59:26: (http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/5849/colemakspeed.jpg)

I learned touch type 15 years ago, with Qwerty, 60wpm. Now I have converted to Colemak for 2 months, 58wpm.

I am happy with the switch. Now my hands are less tired, and I have come quite close to my old Qwerty speed. Hopefully I can type 10wpm faster than that, but right now my speed is already good for my work.

(http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/9264/colemak2.jpg)

I always use left thumb for space. I also try to use left pinky finger to press Capslock (which is Backspace in Colemak).

By the way, I am left handed, so that's quite reasonable :-)
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: bugfix on Fri, 18 February 2011, 03:02:33: Quote from: Tony;297122

I always use left thumb for space. I also try to use left pinky finger to press Capslock (which is Backspace in Colemak).

I personally have Capslock changed to CTRL because I find that backspace is easier to reach than CTRL in its default position.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: isp on Fri, 18 February 2011, 04:42:30: I started touch typing about 5 months ago though and 85wpm can be achieved on a good day.
Title: My Typing Style
Post by: Tony on Fri, 18 February 2011, 04:51:16: (http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9590/typingfun.jpg)

In all hybrid typing style I suppose the workload is put on mostly index to ring fingers of both hands. Usually the pinkies is used for Shift only.

When I learned touch typing for the first time I have to use pinky fingers to press other keys. From that on my pinkies is a lot stronger, and my index fingers can press less. I supppose that is good.