geekhack

geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: anitract on Mon, 13 April 2009, 00:04:41

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: anitract on Mon, 13 April 2009, 00:04:41

Currently I use my own "version" of touch typing, but I'd like to re-learn the correct way.  Anyone have any recommendations for software or websites to help tutor me?  (Free is always nice.)

This page (http://typingsoft.com/all_typing_tutors.htm)  mentions quite a few, but I'd like to filter it down to a couple without needing to install/test them all.

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: wheel83 on Mon, 13 April 2009, 01:32:42

i enjoy using http://www.keybr.com in my spare time

its all lower case jibberish plus occasional real words.  its easy to practice touch typing with this "program" whilst watching movies.

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: ktkr on Mon, 13 April 2009, 02:37:38

I recommend TypingWeb (http://www.typingweb.com/).

I were in the same boat; when I got my first mechanical board, I decided to learn touch typing the proper way. FWIW, it took me 2 weeks to get rid of my old, bad, habits. ;)

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: chongyixiong on Mon, 13 April 2009, 07:04:52

Well, I highly recommend Typing of the Dead.

It's really fun, and in boss fights, it really makes you type alot faster, and it gets the adrenaline pumping as well!

Whole game is around 600MB, if anyone wants it, it might be possible to upload it, but might take a long time on a crappy ADSL connection in Sunny Side Malaysia.

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: lal on Mon, 13 April 2009, 07:22:58

GNU Typist (http://www.gnu.org/software/gtypist/) (also called gtypist) is a universal typing tutor. You can learn correct typing and improve your skills by practicing its exercises on a regular basis. Its main features are:

    * It is free software released under the GNU General Public License. In addition, it is an official program of the GNU project.
    * It comes with several typing tutorials: in Czech, English (Qwerty and Dvorak keyboard), Russian and Spanish, as well as simpler exercices in German, French and Norwegian.
    * It interprets a simple and intuitive scripting language that describes typing tutorials. You can easily modify existing tutorials or create new ones according to your needs.
    * It supports internationalization and already has an interface in Czech, English, Finnish, French, German and Spanish.
    * Users can navigate through lessons through an easy to use arrow key based menu interface. 'vi' up, down, left and right keys can be used too!
    * Thanks to its execution in text mode with the curses library, it can be compiled and used on several operating systems, in particular on GNU/Linux and GNU/HURD, on several variants of Unix, as well as on Windows/DOS with the PDCURSES library and either the DJGPP compiler or MinGW.

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: FKSSR on Mon, 13 April 2009, 09:23:11

I haven't used a typing program since I took computer classes my first year of high school (I was tought to touch type when I was a kid - before middle school - but in order to get to the advanced computer classes in HS, you had to take the basic typing classes).  However, I am kind of thinking of playing Typing of the Dead, just for fun.  I'm sure my accuracy could be improved as well, even though I don't think I'm very bad, right now.

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: o2dazone on Mon, 13 April 2009, 10:45:16

Quote from: chongyixiong;28558

Well, I highly recommend Typing of the Dead.

It's really fun, and in boss fights, it really makes you type alot faster, and it gets the adrenaline pumping as well!

Whole game is around 600MB, if anyone wants it, it might be possible to upload it, but might take a long time on a crappy ADSL connection in Sunny Side Malaysia.

I agree, it makes you a better typer because you're under a "stress situation" most of the time. I've been playing it for a few days, and so far I've noticed I can read something, interpret what it says, and respond in typing much much faster than I have before. Unlike most typing test applications, this really puts pressure on your success by how fast you can both type and respond to what's happening. The 'engrish' is great too, I've had some hilarious phrases pop up in that game.

I also play http://www.typeracer.com a lot, although I've cut back quite a bit because I find that not being able to keep my eyes close enough to what I'm typing, I error much more frequently

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: lam47 on Mon, 13 April 2009, 10:53:26

For learning the basics Typing master pro is very good.
If you send me your email I can send you a copy of it.

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 13 April 2009, 10:57:44

It's sad.  I actually know how to type, but I can't stop looking at the keyboard.  I'll be typing along, and suddenly, I realize I am touch typing, and I start screwing up.  I really want to get a blank set of keys for my Filco to help me break the habit.

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 13 April 2009, 12:06:49

Quote from: ripster;28617

Could you just remove the keycaps from one of your IBMs and use that for a while?

You could do the blank key Unicomp mod.

That's a pretty good idea.  I might try that.  It'll also help my with finger precision (since the under part of the cap is smaller).  I have a bad habit of sausage-fingering keys, even though, I have small hands.

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: twolf on Mon, 13 April 2009, 21:56:55

Thanks for the tip about gtypist, I didn't know it existed. I am happy there is a free solution that is console based. My daughter is already tearing it up on her model m.

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: anitract on Tue, 14 April 2009, 08:55:47

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone.  I have started going through them and it looks like there are some winners!  Said while typing at about 5 wpm...

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: nowsharing on Tue, 14 April 2009, 12:05:23

I just finished playing my first round of typing of the dead, it's unbelievable! Who would have thought that killing the undead by typing could be so educational. I read (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/22/typing-away-the-dead-with-words-again/) that there is a TOTD II which has only been released in Japan; my fingers are crossed for a us release sometime soon.

(http://kabula.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/typing.jpg)

Title: touch typing software recommendations?
Post by: huha on Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:16:38

Where can I get Typing of the dead? It seems to be sold out on Amazon. Given the age, it should be quite cheap now and while I don't like shooters, the very concept seems intriguing.

-huha