Post by: KaminKevCrew on Sat, 10 October 2015, 12:59:27
Post by: ideus on Sat, 10 October 2015, 13:02:53
Post by: KaminKevCrew on Sat, 10 October 2015, 13:04:21
At junior high, I wanted to attend the electricity class, but it was full; instead, I was offered to choose between cocking or typing classes, for girls; I was motivated by the chance to meet some girls, and I was told there were more at the typing class. Now, I type very slow, still, but I was very happy then.
I like this story. Side note, did you end up getting any of the girls? :P
Post by: ideus on Sat, 10 October 2015, 13:06:23
At junior high, I wanted to attend the electricity class, but it was full; instead, I was offered to choose between cocking or typing classes, for girls; I was motivated by the chance to meet some girls, and I was told there were more at the typing class. Now, I type very slow, still, but I was very happy then.
I like this story. Side note, did you end up getting any of the girls? :p
You know girls at Jr. H. they pick you up, before anyone else jumps, just for the sake of win, they will drop you a few days later.
Post by: chyros on Sat, 10 October 2015, 13:09:24
Post by: Glissant on Sat, 10 October 2015, 13:15:12
I didn't start following "home row" until I joined this forum though, and I think my speed increased more than it had in years because I focused on using all my fingers. My pinkies never really got any play before.
Post by: CPTBadAss on Sat, 10 October 2015, 13:19:22
Post by: KaminKevCrew on Sat, 10 October 2015, 13:37:32
I learned to touch type after I got my first computer. I think I was 11 going on 12, and I found my way onto IRC where typing fast became a game because we were all in so many different channels and private messages that I couldn't be looking down while other people were talking.Yeah, I mainly use my pinky for shift and ctrl duties... I haven't gotten used to using them for normal typing yet...
I didn't start following "home row" until I joined this forum though, and I think my speed increased more than it had in years because I focused on using all my fingers. My pinkies never really got any play before.
I took typing classes in elementary school. So I think since age 10.I took classes in elementary as well. Too bad they weren't a focus at all (I think the class occured all of two or three times in a year.) Anyway, I thought it was incredibly stupid that the computer didn't just know when a word was over, and that you had to hit the spacebar every word. Geeze, that bugged the crap out of me.
Post by: zslane on Sat, 10 October 2015, 13:53:25
Of course, computers came along a few years later and sort of ruined me. I still touch type but I am sloppier now; I also don't use my right hand for shifting left-hand keys to uppercase. I just use my left pinky. That habit embedded itself into my muscle memory because back in the day, keyboards only came with one Ctrl key and my left pinky just picked up all chording duties.
Post by: njbair on Sat, 10 October 2015, 15:53:41
The next year we moved and switched school systems so I was able to take keyboarding again, instead of a foreign language or something hard.
Post by: KaminKevCrew on Sat, 10 October 2015, 16:36:20
I learned early for my generation, about 2nd grade. My dad was a big computer geek and had a typing tutor program. By the time I reached junior high I was already doing ~50 WPM. But I didn't tell my keyboarding class teacher, so she thought I was an incredibly fast learner.Sounds like someone cheated the system :P
The next year we moved and switched school systems so I was able to take keyboarding again, instead of a foreign language or something hard.
Post by: raymogi on Sat, 10 October 2015, 18:28:08
Kinda "perfected" it a couple years ago when I started to like keyboards.
Post by: dante on Sat, 10 October 2015, 19:18:34
Post by: njbair on Sat, 10 October 2015, 19:22:08
Isn't that what school is supposed to teach you how to do?I learned early for my generation, about 2nd grade. My dad was a big computer geek and had a typing tutor program. By the time I reached junior high I was already doing ~50 WPM. But I didn't tell my keyboarding class teacher, so she thought I was an incredibly fast learner.Sounds like someone cheated the system
The next year we moved and switched school systems so I was able to take keyboarding again, instead of a foreign language or something hard.
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 10 October 2015, 19:32:29
Post by: njbair on Sat, 10 October 2015, 19:49:29
Technically I still don't know how to touch type. I started as a hunt and peck and slowly stopped looking and using more fingers. I have to cheat and look sometimes and I'm sure I have all kinds of bad habits. I don't do too poorly though and average about 70WPM.I would call typing with a cat on your arms a bad habit.
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 10 October 2015, 19:55:00
Technically I still don't know how to touch type. I started as a hunt and peck and slowly stopped looking and using more fingers. I have to cheat and look sometimes and I'm sure I have all kinds of bad habits. I don't do too poorly though and average about 70WPM.I would call typing with a cat on your arms a bad habit.
Hey, the cat decided it wanted to cuddle. Forcing it away is usually a bad idea.
Post by: Grim Fandango on Sat, 10 October 2015, 20:07:30
I spent a lot of time behind the PC, yet I did not know how to touch type. My girlfriend pointed out this was odd. I agreed. Somehow I slipped through the cracks and never once had a typing lesson.
That day I downloaded and installed a simple touch typing exercise, and practiced for about an hour. I kept doing that for about a week until I could touch type well enough to type about 25 WPM (which is painfully slow and much slower than I "hunt and pecked"). I figured that was fast enough to get stuff done, even if it was at a snails pace. I switched cold turkey that day and never looked back. It did not even take that long to get to a pretty normal typing speed. In perhaps a months time it was no longer a pain in the behind. And in probably half a year (I do not remember) I typed faster than I ever did before.
I remember that it was not the speed that made touch typing so nice. It was the fact that I could type without having to look down at the keyboard. It seems like such a small thing, but it really makes doing anything on the PC that requires typing a much nicer experience.
Post by: Hyde on Sat, 10 October 2015, 20:17:23
Though chatting with 3-4 girls at the same time back then definitely helped me type faster. :P
Post by: njbair on Sat, 10 October 2015, 20:23:32
I learned Dvorak about 9 years ago. I had been reading about oldschool Apple II developers, who predominantly used Dvorak. In fact, the original Apple II plastic case had a small opening in the back with two screw holes where a switch could be mounted. This was made for a QWERTY/Dvorak switch. In fact, any Apple II owner with a soldering iron and the right info could wire up their own Dvorak hardware switch. I decided I had to know more about this "elite" layout, and after some more reading on the subject I ended up at A Basic Course in Dvorak (http://gigliwood.com/abcd/) and I haven't looked back since.
I've toyed with Colemak since then, but I don't think I have the gumption to switch cold-turkey like that again. I was single at the time, and my job didn't involve typing.
Post by: tararais on Sat, 10 October 2015, 20:38:10
Post by: trizkut on Sat, 10 October 2015, 20:40:56
I took typing classes in elementary school. So I think since age 10.
Same here. We had this typing program in the 4th-5th grade called Type to Learn with all these silly typing games.
Post by: KaminKevCrew on Sat, 10 October 2015, 20:54:37
They offered typing class as an option in grade 10, and now I really glad I took it.I can imagine... :P
Though chatting with 3-4 girls at the same time back then definitely helped me type faster. :P
I found this little exchange thoroughly enjoyable...Technically I still don't know how to touch type. I started as a hunt and peck and slowly stopped looking and using more fingers. I have to cheat and look sometimes and I'm sure I have all kinds of bad habits. I don't do too poorly though and average about 70WPM.I would call typing with a cat on your arms a bad habit.
Hey, the cat decided it wanted to cuddle. Forcing it away is usually a bad idea.
Well, I mean... Yeah, I suppose... At my high school (I came in as a Sophomore, so I didn't have to take it) there was a typing test that all of the freshman did. On that test, once you finished, you could change the last two numbers in the URL, and that would change your score. That's how most students got around the test, but honestly... The requirement was 44wpm... It's not like that's very difficult, especially for someone of my generation (I graduated high school in 2014...) Also, I went to a private school and just about everyone spent a bunch of time on their macbooks... So they really had no excuse...Isn't that what school is supposed to teach you how to do?I learned early for my generation, about 2nd grade. My dad was a big computer geek and had a typing tutor program. By the time I reached junior high I was already doing ~50 WPM. But I didn't tell my keyboarding class teacher, so she thought I was an incredibly fast learner.Sounds like someone cheated the system
The next year we moved and switched school systems so I was able to take keyboarding again, instead of a foreign language or something hard.
About 10 years ago.I agree with the whole looking down thing... Now, I just have to think about what I want to type, and my hands kind of do their own thing... It's really nice...
I spent a lot of time behind the PC, yet I did not know how to touch type. My girlfriend pointed out this was odd. I agreed. Somehow I slipped through the cracks and never once had a typing lesson.
That day I downloaded and installed a simple touch typing exercise, and practiced for about an hour. I kept doing that for about a week until I could touch type well enough to type about 25 WPM (which is painfully slow and much slower than I "hunt and pecked"). I figured that was fast enough to get stuff done, even if it was at a snails pace. I switched cold turkey that day and never looked back. It did not even take that long to get to a pretty normal typing speed. In perhaps a months time it was no longer a pain in the behind. And in probably half a year (I do not remember) I typed faster than I ever did before.
I remember that it was not the speed that made touch typing so nice. It was the fact that I could type without having to look down at the keyboard. It seems like such a small thing, but it really makes doing anything on the PC that requires typing a much nicer experience.
Around 16/17 years old. We learned on typewriters (Yes I'm a dinosaur.)Typewriters are really cool. My mom has a couple still. To be fair, it wasn't that long ago that typewriters were the thing to use...
I already posted, but I have a second qualifying story.
I learned Dvorak about 9 years ago. I had been reading about oldschool Apple II developers, who predominantly used Dvorak. In fact, the original Apple II plastic case had a small opening in the back with two screw holes where a switch could be mounted. This was made for a QWERTY/Dvorak switch. In fact, any Apple II owner with a soldering iron and the right info could wire up their own Dvorak hardware switch. I decided I had to know more about this "elite" layout, and after some more reading on the subject I ended up at A Basic Course in Dvorak (http://gigliwood.com/abcd/) and I haven't looked back since.
I've toyed with Colemak since then, but I don't think I have the gumption to switch cold-turkey like that again. I was single at the time, and my job didn't involve typing.
I switched layouts to Dvorak, so there's obviously no point in doing that if I couldn't touch type! Before I could do it on QWERTY also, but switching made it a necessity.To the two of you, I've been thinking about switching to DVORAK, predominantly, but I'm also curious about COLEMAK. Is colemak faster or something? (I'd like to type as quickly as possible, because I have a friend I need to beat at type tests...)
I had some kind of typing program in elementary, but as I said, we only ever used it once or twice...I took typing classes in elementary school. So I think since age 10.
Same here. We had this typing program in the 4th-5th grade called Type to Learn with all these silly typing games.
Post by: fanpeople on Sat, 10 October 2015, 20:57:45
At junior high, I wanted to attend the electricity class, but it was full; instead, I was offered to choose between cocking or typing classes, for girls; I was motivated by the chance to meet some girls, and I was told there were more at the typing class. Now, I type very slow, still, but I was very happy then.
What does a cocking class involve? Think i would have rathered that.
Also after i got my SSK i thought i should step up my game and be a worthy owner. So about a year ago i learnt to touch type.
Post by: KaminKevCrew on Sat, 10 October 2015, 21:50:54
At junior high, I wanted to attend the electricity class, but it was full; instead, I was offered to choose between cocking or typing classes, for girls; I was motivated by the chance to meet some girls, and I was told there were more at the typing class. Now, I type very slow, still, but I was very happy then.
What does a cocking class involve? Think i would have rathered that.
Also after i got my SSK i thought i should step up my game and be a worthy owner. So about a year ago i learnt to touch type.
Cocking class sounds like the best kind of class...
Post by: SamirD on Sun, 11 October 2015, 01:05:00
We worked on IBM typewriters that also had a digital mode where you could type the whole sentence and then hit enter and it would type it out. But it was really easy to hear when that was being used because it sounded like a machine gun every line, haha. We had to type one at a time and use corrective papers to backspace over and fix mistakes. It was so tedious that even though I had speed since we had a computer at home with an M on it and a commodore 64, I started focusing on accuracy. Unfortunately, I've gotten sloppy since the typewriter days.
There were three of us that started to fly much faster than the rest of the class--we were all 50+ wpm when the best of the rest was hitting 35. So we were put in an adjacent room by ourselves on wordperfect 5.1 on IBM ATs with--you guessed it the Model F. We were so fast on those systems that we'd have the entire assignment done in 20 minutes and then play spacewar for the remaining 40. And the crazy thing is since we had an IBM 30-286 at home with a Model M on it, I was keyboard spoiled back then--using at F at school and an M at home.
Looking back, it was one of the most useful classes I have ever taken. Being able to touch type has served me now for almost 30 years. Highly recommend typing to anyone that hasn't learned it already. With the advent of free online typing test, there's no reason to not learn it now.
Post by: tararais on Sun, 11 October 2015, 01:28:04
It was back in 1989 I think. I was maybe 14? I think it was 10th grade (I graduated at 16--skipped kindergarten). I had to take an elective, so this was it.
We worked on IBM typewriters that also had a digital mode where you could type the whole sentence and then hit enter and it would type it out. But it was really easy to hear when that was being used because it sounded like a machine gun every line, haha. We had to type one at a time and use corrective papers to backspace over and fix mistakes. It was so tedious that even though I had speed since we had a computer at home with an M on it and a commodore 64, I started focusing on accuracy. Unfortunately, I've gotten sloppy since the typewriter days.
There were three of us that started to fly much faster than the rest of the class--we were all 50+ wpm when the best of the rest was hitting 35. So we were put in an adjacent room by ourselves on wordperfect 5.1 on IBM ATs with--you guessed it the Model F. We were so fast on those systems that we'd have the entire assignment done in 20 minutes and then play spacewar for the remaining 40. And the crazy thing is since we had an IBM 30-286 at home with a Model M on it, I was keyboard spoiled back then--using at F at school and an M at home.
Looking back, it was one of the most useful classes I have ever taken. Being able to touch type has served me now for almost 30 years. Highly recommend typing to anyone that hasn't learned it already. With the advent of free online typing test, there's no reason to not learn it now.
Very interesting story, what a different time it was back then. Now everyone can type, but learning touch typing is such a simple and quick thing if you're already used to doing it all day. Took me a month from scratch, shouldn't take people used to their layout more than 3-5 days of a couple hours practice. Best thing is not having to look at the keyboard in the dark and confusing people with blank caps.
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 11 October 2015, 02:12:27
I think probably a mix of the two - I had been typing using a weird 6 to 8 finger method of my own devising, and converted that into proper touch typing without too many problems.
Post by: Air tree on Sun, 11 October 2015, 03:26:04
Post by: absyrd on Sun, 11 October 2015, 04:01:36
Post by: mikes41720 on Sun, 11 October 2015, 04:15:11
Now, I'm learning with the Colemak layout and that is forcing me to use all my fingers. I'm in my 3rd week or so, and I can pretty much touch type at around 60 WPM, so it's been a huge learning process, but it's been fun so far! ;D
Post by: Glissant on Sun, 11 October 2015, 05:26:15
I learned to touch type after I got my first computer. I think I was 11 going on 12, and I found my way onto IRC where typing fast became a game because we were all in so many different channels and private messages that I couldn't be looking down while other people were talking.Yeah, I mainly use my pinky for shift and ctrl duties... I haven't gotten used to using them for normal typing yet...
I didn't start following "home row" until I joined this forum though, and I think my speed increased more than it had in years because I focused on using all my fingers. My pinkies never really got any play before.
I tried learning how to use the shift on the right side of the keyboard with my pinkie, but wasn't able to retrain my brain to do it quickly enough. It's incredibly hard to retrain yourself after years of doing one thing :D
Post by: SamirD on Sun, 11 October 2015, 09:18:43
Very interesting story, what a different time it was back then. Now everyone can type, but learning touch typing is such a simple and quick thing if you're already used to doing it all day. Took me a month from scratch, shouldn't take people used to their layout more than 3-5 days of a couple hours practice. Best thing is not having to look at the keyboard in the dark and confusing people with blank caps.It was. I was so far ahead of everyone in terms of computer knowledge that just came innately that if I would have gone into the field back then, I'd probably be one of the best in the US right now. I kid you not. I taught my brother everything I knew as I learned it and at one point he went to a computer scholars bowl and was the top in the state. And he mentioned there were questions they had that he knew I knew the answers to even though no one else could answer them. A year later, my brother was put in charge of all the computer labs at the school, keeping them clean and locked down using a method I devised for locking down win3.1. Then in my computer operations class in college I already knew all the material since I'd been calculating internal transfer rates and drive interleaves ever since the late 1980s (school was in the late 1990s).
But I'm glad I didn't make a job of all this knowledge. It would have turned into just a job that I would have hated--especially dealing with people with 'certificates' that didn't know jack, which now populate the industry. People like me that know a hell of a lot aren't worth anything since we don't have certificates. And yet, I've been awarded the Cisco community member of the month twice for my forum contributions. Go figure. Netgear just thanked me for my contributions yesterday, lol.
But all of this knowledge came together for a very tough task in the last two years--convert a workflow based on paper and one person into a multi-person, multi-location, digital workflow--and do it without spending almost anything. I was able to pool together some cheap resources to create what would normally have costed $10-20k in under a grand. And it's been working great for 2 years now. Knowing the technology is one talent, but being able to apply that to a real-world business workflow with excellent results is something that most people still can't get right. I find this area fascinating enough that I may turn it into work one day, but I'm still not sure. Besides, I've got enough going on as it is.
Post by: eternalmetal on Sun, 11 October 2015, 11:28:07
I enjoyed the blues for a while, and the light actuation force and obvious click were nice to learn on. But eventually I started to develop an aversion to the loud clickiness of the blues, and as a heavy handed typist I thought the bottom out was quite harsh after long typing sessions. Also, when trying to gain in typing speed, I found that I was starting to mash the keys a little bit and it was messing with my typing rhythm. So I got an RF 87U 55g board, and while being much nicer to type on, I think I lost a little typing speed in the switch.
Technically I still don't know how to touch type. I started as a hunt and peck and slowly stopped looking and using more fingers. I have to cheat and look sometimes and I'm sure I have all kinds of bad habits. I don't do too poorly though and average about 70WPM.
This sounds a lot like my old method of typing. At one point (probably 10 years ago in Uni), I just realized that I could type with pretty high speed and accuracy without looking down, without ever previously putting much thought into it. Probably stemmed from all of those irc/IM convos. I have since learned to touch type (about 4 or 5 months ago), and I just tried to use my old method again and I notice that quite a bit of my finger combinations are the same as they are with proper touch typing.
I took typing classes in elementary school. So I think since age 10.
Same here. We had this typing program in the 4th-5th grade called Type to Learn with all these silly typing games.
Hah, same! The problem I had was that I just refused to take the lessons seriously, so I never developed the proper technique. I learned just to the point of being able to pass the class, but I never applied this way of typing outside of class.
I learned to touch type after I got my first computer. I think I was 11 going on 12, and I found my way onto IRC where typing fast became a game because we were all in so many different channels and private messages that I couldn't be looking down while other people were talking.Yeah, I mainly use my pinky for shift and ctrl duties... I haven't gotten used to using them for normal typing yet...
I didn't start following "home row" until I joined this forum though, and I think my speed increased more than it had in years because I focused on using all my fingers. My pinkies never really got any play before.
I tried learning how to use the shift on the right side of the keyboard with my pinkie, but wasn't able to retrain my brain to do it quickly enough. It's incredibly hard to retrain yourself after years of doing one thing :D
Before I learned how to touch type for real, I used to exclusively use the left shift, but I eventually figured out that this wasnt going to work anymore, and eventually tedious practice became habit. It was probably one of the more difficult bad habits I had to break.
Post by: davkol on Sun, 11 October 2015, 15:51:44
I gradually developed some poor habits, that compensated for QWERTZ inefficiency, but it eventually started to look like my hands were all over the place. Combined with some other issues related to the national layout (Czech QWERTY/QWERTZ), I decided to relearn typing from scratch, this time on Colemak though. I was 21 at that point.
I hit a plateau about two years later, and I've been touch typing in Colemak with a proper technique at slightly above-average speed (60 wpm in long runs, 80 wpm bursts) and alright accuracy (~99 %) ever since.
Post by: Firebolt1914 on Sun, 11 October 2015, 16:00:48
Post by: opensecret on Sun, 11 October 2015, 21:42:16
Post by: SamirD on Sun, 11 October 2015, 21:55:08
Required course in 8th grade, Fall of 1953. A whole room full of Underwood manual typewriters with blank keyboards. I hit 40wpm by the end of the year. Maybe the single most useful course I ever took.Wow! What have you seen change in keyboard feel over your lifetime?
Post by: user 18 on Sun, 11 October 2015, 22:12:06
I still don't type completely properly. I use all my fingers except my right pinky, but I only use my left pinky for shift and ctrl. I sometimes hit the spacebar with my right index, and sometimes hit it with one of my thumbs, it depends on where my hands are and what roll I'm coming off of. I usually can hit 80+ wpm without trouble (and correcting errors), and 90+ after I'm warmed up. Haven't quite broken 100 yet, but have made it to 99 a couple of times, so it's just a matter of practice I think.
Post by: blueangel2323 on Mon, 12 October 2015, 00:26:07
Over the years, with more practice typing out longer and longer papers for school, I became a reasonably fast typer. However, I just recently discovered that I've been using the wrong fingers for some keys (index finger instead of middle finger for "C"; ring finger instead of pinkie for the "P" and "?"). I've been practicing using the "correct" fingers for the past few weeks but my pinkie is still accidentally hitting "[" instead of "P" all the time.
As for the number row, I've always used the number pad instead, so I can't touch-type that row at all.
Post by: SamirD on Mon, 12 October 2015, 08:57:39
As for the number row, I've always used the number pad instead, so I can't touch-type that row at all.Same here, although I fly on the number pad. I haven't tested in many decades, but it was 2-3x my other key speed back then.
Post by: tribade on Mon, 12 October 2015, 13:12:34
Post by: dutC4 on Mon, 12 October 2015, 13:25:13
Post by: Sangscienta on Mon, 12 October 2015, 13:32:09
Not sure how fast I am with a keyboard I'm comfortable with. Right now, I'm using a cheap membrane AZERTY keyboard due to the circumstances, and I took the 10fastfingers test and got 53wpm with 2 wrong words. So I might get to 60-70 perhaps with my G80. Quite curious to see how I'll fare actually.
Post by: Macsmasher on Mon, 12 October 2015, 16:41:24
I switched to Colemak in Feb 2013. Haven't typed qwerty since.
Post by: cheddarbek on Mon, 12 October 2015, 17:16:47
My mother was in college at the time, so we had a computer and an internet connection so she could do research. Even at that young age I was fascinated, so she's the one who taught me how to type. I work in an office, and I can't help but cringe when I see folks who have worked here for years and years who hunt and peck and just plain don't know even the basic alpha layout.
I do still have to cheat on some of the modifiers on the number row every now and again, but on a good day with a good board, I type around 85wpm.
Going through elementary and middle school typing classes was incredibly aggravating for me. We moved around 4 or 5 times when I was a kid, and it always seemed like a new school meant a new typing class. I'll never understand why I was forced to go when I clearly knew how to type. >:D
Post by: Ngt on Mon, 12 October 2015, 17:19:37
Post by: missalaire on Mon, 12 October 2015, 17:19:59
Post by: Dernubenfrieken on Mon, 12 October 2015, 17:20:54
Yep, type to learn for me too. I didnt really learn how to type well until middle school though, when i started going on various forums and AOL instant messengerI took typing classes in elementary school. So I think since age 10.
Same here. We had this typing program in the 4th-5th grade called Type to Learn with all these silly typing games.
Post by: tofu28 on Mon, 12 October 2015, 19:04:14
Post by: sethk_ on Mon, 12 October 2015, 19:15:52
Post by: CPTBadAss on Mon, 12 October 2015, 19:27:59
Post by: mobbo on Mon, 12 October 2015, 19:31:44
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 12 October 2015, 19:36:55
Post by: njbair on Mon, 12 October 2015, 20:05:55
1968Punch cards don't count.
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 12 October 2015, 20:29:47
Punch cards don't count.
It was actual manual typewriters, like Hemingway and Steinbeck used.
Post by: TopreFan333 on Mon, 12 October 2015, 21:58:11
Punch cards don't count.
It was actual manual typewriters, like Hemingway and Steinbeck used.
Same, but in the late 1980s -- my school STILL had manual typewriters and actually the teacher insisted they were the best to learn on because they forced you to use your fingers a lot more carefully. Not 100% sold on that idea.
Post by: njbair on Mon, 12 October 2015, 22:02:24
My first typing class used electronic typewriters with an LCD buffer display, so if you were fast enough you could backspace out an error before it actually typed out the line.Punch cards don't count.
It was actual manual typewriters, like Hemingway and Steinbeck used.
Same, but in the late 1980s -- my school STILL had manual typewriters and actually the teacher insisted they were the best to learn on because they forced you to use your fingers a lot more carefully. Not 100% sold on that idea.
Post by: Bomble on Mon, 12 October 2015, 22:35:48
Post by: swimmingbird on Tue, 13 October 2015, 17:24:35
Post by: eternalmetal on Thu, 15 October 2015, 14:15:22
Ha I'm happy to hear that many of us turned class to AIM. All hail AIM.
AIM was actually what made me never learn to touch type. Typing short quick messages was just as easy with simple patterns for words than it would have been if I had learned to touch type. Putting my hands on the home row slowed me down, so I just developed poor habits.
Now that I know how to touch type, it's amazing that I went all through my undergrad years at uni without adopting a proper technique.
Post by: dgneo on Thu, 15 October 2015, 14:21:21
I honed my typing skills via AIM and Jerrath.
Post by: BlueNalgene on Thu, 15 October 2015, 14:40:23
Post by: SamirD on Thu, 15 October 2015, 18:33:12
They used to have the keyboards covered in boxer briefs (one leg hole per hand), and made us learn via the good old Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing.I'm surprised that a parent didn't have an uproar about the underwear in the classroom, lol. I remember Mavis Beacon. Probably still have a copy somewhere...
Post by: trenzafeeds on Thu, 15 October 2015, 19:09:38
Post by: Lazerxzz on Thu, 22 October 2015, 03:50:06
Post by: dr_habu on Thu, 22 October 2015, 06:11:07
Post by: TacticalCoder on Thu, 22 October 2015, 06:11:20
So, I'm just wondering when people learned to touch type
I was typing since more than ten years I'd say and was quite fast but I wasn't touch-typing... Then one day I had a girlfriend that was a secretary and did learn to touch-type properly and she beat me fair and square on typing test (some command line typing test included in Linux IIRC). I conceded defeat... Temporarily! Learned to touch-type: for a few weeks it was hell: I was way slower than what I was used to but then it started getting better and then after 3 months I'd say I was faster than previously.
Post by: SamirD on Thu, 22 October 2015, 07:14:14
About 2006 when I got my first PC. I still don't use home rows that much and only type with my ring index and middle finger and still manage to type around 120WPM. I'd really like to know if it's worth learning the proper way to type though. I've tried in the past and my speed slows down considerably so I just gave up about a day into it lolHoly smokes! I think if you'd learn the 'proper' method that uses all your fingers, you'd see a pretty decent gain. Plus, you may be straining your hands typing like that right now. The transition will be frustrating as your speed will drop until you get the hang of the new method, but after that you should see gains.
I was typing since more than ten years I'd say and was quite fast but I wasn't touch-typing... Then one day I had a girlfriend that was a secretary and did learn to touch-type properly and she beat me fair and square on typing test (some command line typing test included in Linux IIRC). I conceded defeat... Temporarily! Learned to touch-type: for a few weeks it was hell: I was way slower than what I was used to but then it started getting better and then after 3 months I'd say I was faster than previously.So a very important question--did you ever beat your girlfriend/secretary after you learned? ;D
Post by: swimmingbird on Thu, 22 October 2015, 14:20:12
Post by: jameslr on Thu, 22 October 2015, 14:27:42
Jr. High typing class circa 1978. I loved it because I was really into typewriters and the idea of writing fiction as a kid.
Of course, computers came along a few years later and sort of ruined me. I still touch type but I am sloppier now; I also don't use my right hand for shifting left-hand keys to uppercase. I just use my left pinky. That habit embedded itself into my muscle memory because back in the day, keyboards only came with one Ctrl key and my left pinky just picked up all chording duties.
This is exactly how I type as well. I learned to type in freshman year of high school. They had IBM 8086's with the old AT style model M's (this was 1992ish). I had a 486 at home so it was pretty antiquated hardware, but the boards were decent :)
Post by: Kad on Thu, 22 October 2015, 17:01:21
Post by: kyb on Fri, 23 October 2015, 10:44:48
I'm a programmer. Usually my brain is the bottleneck.
Post by: CaplockJack on Fri, 23 October 2015, 11:07:55
Post by: Macsmasher on Fri, 23 October 2015, 14:42:06
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 23 October 2015, 15:31:08
To those wanting to learn to 'truly' touch type without looking at your keyboard, I'll share my experience. I had always considered myself a touch typist. But it wasn't until I bought a Das Ultimate keyboard with blank keys in 2011 that I realized just how much I was relying on looking at the key inscriptions. Sure, I could touch type my alpha keys. But for symbols, F keys, even top row number keys, I had to look, and I didn't even realize the extent I was doing it until getting the blank keyboard. For about a week, I had to reference a keyboard layout jpg to learn them. Point is, the blank keyboard was the best thing I've ever done to learn true touch typing. I highly recommend it.Interesting. I also probably use the legends more on less-used keys like the f-keys. I know that some of the f-keys I've tried to use by touch, I always seem to screw up (f3 is the biggest culprit). Although I've got f5 and f10 down pat.
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Fri, 23 October 2015, 18:20:42
Post by: swimmingbird on Sat, 24 October 2015, 08:55:54
To those wanting to learn to 'truly' touch type without looking at your keyboard, I'll share my experience. I had always considered myself a touch typist. But it wasn't until I bought a Das Ultimate keyboard with blank keys in 2011 that I realized just how much I was relying on looking at the key inscriptions. Sure, I could touch type my alpha keys. But for symbols, F keys, even top row number keys, I had to look, and I didn't even realize the extent I was doing it until getting the blank keyboard. For about a week, I had to reference a keyboard layout jpg to learn them. Point is, the blank keyboard was the best thing I've ever done to learn true touch typing. I highly recommend it.
Touch typing f keys or the nav cluster sounds like an absolute nightmare
This is why I use 60% boards so I never have to leave the home row
Post by: Bucake on Sat, 24 October 2015, 09:25:33
i'm not using proper form, however. i just realized i sometimes hit keys like P or L with my index finger :/
oh well.. despite the non-proper form i can still easily hit over 100wpm. not necessarily fast, but fast enough for me not to bother fixing my form :P
Post by: robsterthelobster on Sat, 24 October 2015, 21:24:17
Maplestory in middle school helped with touch typing. No skype then, so you gotta type fast enough to not die.
Post by: raymogi on Sat, 24 October 2015, 21:38:48
When I first get into this hobby (3 months ago), I was at around 60-70wpm. Now I average around 100wpm.
Post by: 1swt2gs on Sat, 24 October 2015, 21:40:09
Don't have a conventional typing method but still hash out ~115 wpm .
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 24 October 2015, 22:44:50
Part of the reason I started touch typing is because I felt like I needed a reason to own lots of keyboards :p
You need a reason?
I think I've been doing it wrong :eek:
Post by: SamirD on Sat, 24 October 2015, 23:23:09
Post by: ghostjuggernaut on Sat, 24 October 2015, 23:29:18
Post by: captaineleven on Sun, 25 October 2015, 00:34:16
Post by: SamirD on Sun, 25 October 2015, 07:38:51
...I can't even be bothered with the numbers on the top row.I don't bother with those either. I always use the numeric keypad as I'm much, much faster there.
Post by: swimmingbird on Sun, 25 October 2015, 07:57:07
Part of the reason I started touch typing is because I felt like I needed a reason to own lots of keyboards :p
You need a reason?
I think I've been doing it wrong :eek:
Don't want to turn this thread into unpopular keyboard opinions but yeah I don't think you can appreciate keyboards in the same way if you are a hunt and peck typist or below 60wpm
Post by: darkspider on Sun, 25 October 2015, 08:19:37
Post by: RYNEosaurus on Sun, 25 October 2015, 09:07:05
I can touch type now but I type really slow.
Post by: nova779 on Sun, 25 October 2015, 10:26:13
Post by: Valff on Sun, 25 October 2015, 10:59:45
I need some practice.
Post by: swimmingbird on Sun, 25 October 2015, 11:25:56
I learnt to touch type this summer (with typing.com). I still make some typos with the number row,but that's all. However, I type (very) slow: 50 wpm.
I need some practice.
I think you should stop worrying about making typos and try increasing your speed
Post by: Kerpadge on Sun, 25 October 2015, 12:56:04
Post by: captaineleven on Sun, 25 October 2015, 13:45:50
...I can't even be bothered with the numbers on the top row.I don't bother with those either. I always use the numeric keypad as I'm much, much faster there.
Haha yeah same. I used to work at a Kumon and data entry of the kids' grades were much, much faster with the number pad. I could also execute shortcuts that made the job a lot easier. I don't use keypads as much anymore unless I'm inputting grades (as I ought to be doing now) so I don't have a greater need for one.
Post by: briancvrrbs on Sun, 25 October 2015, 14:36:41
Post by: Jhonan on Sun, 25 October 2015, 16:07:02
Post by: FoxWolf1 on Sun, 25 October 2015, 17:12:59
Post by: SamirD on Sun, 25 October 2015, 18:35:06
...could be bothered to read the text on their screen to figure out what to do without very explicit instructions.Ah yes, the illiterate, yet wealthy enough to have a smartphone, next generation. They won't last long. This civilization has about 1000 years left before it collapses like all the ones previous to it.
Post by: logomachy on Sun, 25 October 2015, 20:40:14
Post by: Kola93 on Sun, 25 October 2015, 21:09:18
Post by: JadedRabbit on Mon, 26 October 2015, 00:35:33
Elementary had small sections every week to teach typing, AIM enhanced my typing in late elementary.Are you me? That's essentially how I learned to touch type as well. AIM and MSN coupled with Maplestory drove home the skills my middle school teacher taught me.
Maplestory in middle school helped with touch typing. No skype then, so you gotta type fast enough to not die.
Post by: heroinbob on Mon, 26 October 2015, 01:07:49
Half way thru freshman year in HS I was "encouraged" to leave and go to college.
What would be my Sophomore year in HS, I went to college for computer programming.
Typing was a prereq class.
And YES, they all called me doogie.
Paul (HB)
Post by: Sencha on Mon, 26 October 2015, 04:29:32
Post by: Keypurrfect on Wed, 28 October 2015, 11:20:50
Post by: SamirD on Wed, 28 October 2015, 11:48:49
Half way thru freshman year in HS I was "encouraged" to leave and go to college.That's just freaking awesome. I skipped kindergarten and went straight into first grade. When I graduated from HS I was only 16yrs old by a few months.
What would be my Sophomore year in HS, I went to college for computer programming.
Post by: theginginator on Wed, 28 October 2015, 12:55:53
Post by: happyturtlee on Wed, 28 October 2015, 15:37:34
Post by: Keypurrfect on Wed, 28 October 2015, 15:47:05
Post by: happyturtlee on Wed, 28 October 2015, 16:05:53
I never use right shift either and I am right handed!
Something about it feels so awkward... I would much rather use left shift and then adjust my left hand accordingly to reach the keys. It helps cause I have long fingers haha.
Post by: SamirD on Wed, 28 October 2015, 18:13:52
Post by: jonathanyu on Wed, 28 October 2015, 18:17:13
I only use right shift when I type question markI never use right shift either and I am right handed!
Something about it feels so awkward... I would much rather use left shift and then adjust my left hand accordingly to reach the keys. It helps cause I have long fingers haha.
Post by: sitch on Thu, 29 October 2015, 12:20:29
Post by: SamirD on Thu, 29 October 2015, 15:11:24
Perfected it when Dota2 became a hit when you have to flame your team mates :p
Post by: gabba-gool on Thu, 29 October 2015, 15:20:42
Post by: calvinhousecat on Thu, 29 October 2015, 21:12:14
Post by: thatsmrdoctortoyou on Thu, 29 October 2015, 21:18:15
Post by: grav3serker on Fri, 30 October 2015, 00:34:04
Post by: chipotle on Fri, 30 October 2015, 01:47:55
Post by: captaineleven on Fri, 30 October 2015, 07:02:38
I just started learning a couple of weeks ago. After turning 28 and realizing I need to stop that finger pecking nonsense, I decided it was time to learn. I also figured if I'm going to be obsessed with mechs, I should probably learn how to use them properly haha. I'm only averaging a measly 50-55 WPM, but I'm getting faster daily! Practice makes perfect!
Haha that's awesome. I find finger pecking is truly only acceptable with typewriters and even then I should still make sure my fingers are stationed on the home row. Do you do anything specific for your daily practice? I go to keyhero and 10fastfingers for warm ups and then I go about writing stuff for work and for fun.
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 30 October 2015, 09:03:16
I was self-taught, mostly, on the computer I had in high school and colllege -- a TRS-80 Model 4. Also, I'm old, although the TRS-80 was already obsolete by the time I graduated high school. Of course, I also blame the TRS-80 for making me like good keyboards; it turns out they used Alps keyswitches (probably "integrated dome" switches, although they sure didn't feel like later rubber dome switches). I can still get 100+ words a minute most of the time, depending on the keyboard...I remember the TRS-80. We had one at the back of our classroom in 6th grade and one day a month, two kids were allowed to play on it. I remember it always went to a DOS-like prompt after a program ended and most kids got stuck at that point while I somehow knew what to do because of our c64 at home. And that keyboard was quite nice. It was like the TI-994a that I still have somewhere.
Post by: thatsmrdoctortoyou on Fri, 30 October 2015, 09:42:07
I just started learning a couple of weeks ago. After turning 28 and realizing I need to stop that finger pecking nonsense, I decided it was time to learn. I also figured if I'm going to be obsessed with mechs, I should probably learn how to use them properly haha. I'm only averaging a measly 50-55 WPM, but I'm getting faster daily! Practice makes perfect!
Definitely all about the practice! A fun way to practice daily is by racing on play.typeracer.com. A race or two a day and your WPM will for sure improve!
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 30 October 2015, 10:44:57
Definitely all about the practice! A fun way to practice daily is by racing on play.typeracer.com. A race or two a day and your WPM will for sure improve!We should have a list of all the typing sites somewhere. There's so many of them!
Post by: grav3serker on Fri, 30 October 2015, 12:04:53
Yeah! I've been using 10fastfingers.com mainly, but now that I'm feeling a little more confident, I'll have to try typeracer!I just started learning a couple of weeks ago. After turning 28 and realizing I need to stop that finger pecking nonsense, I decided it was time to learn. I also figured if I'm going to be obsessed with mechs, I should probably learn how to use them properly haha. I'm only averaging a measly 50-55 WPM, but I'm getting faster daily! Practice makes perfect!
Definitely all about the practice! A fun way to practice daily is by racing on play.typeracer.com. A race or two a day and your WPM will for sure improve!
Post by: grav3serker on Fri, 30 October 2015, 12:52:02
Mostly just 10fastfingers.com and I keep trying to beat my high score. I know it's not practical by typing random words all lowercase, but it's definitely helping me get the muscle memory down. It's become my favorite game lately haha. Do you have any suggestions for more practical scenarios besides just typing on forums?I just started learning a couple of weeks ago. After turning 28 and realizing I need to stop that finger pecking nonsense, I decided it was time to learn. I also figured if I'm going to be obsessed with mechs, I should probably learn how to use them properly haha. I'm only averaging a measly 50-55 WPM, but I'm getting faster daily! Practice makes perfect!
Haha that's awesome. I find finger pecking is truly only acceptable with typewriters and even then I should still make sure my fingers are stationed on the home row. Do you do anything specific for your daily practice? I go to keyhero and 10fastfingers for warm ups and then I go about writing stuff for work and for fun.
Post by: KaminKevCrew on Fri, 30 October 2015, 13:15:29
There are a few sites that let you select from famous writings. (Aesops fables comes to mind)Mostly just 10fastfingers.com and I keep trying to beat my high score. I know it's not practical by typing random words all lowercase, but it's definitely helping me get the muscle memory down. It's become my favorite game lately haha. Do you have any suggestions for more practical scenarios besides just typing on forums?I just started learning a couple of weeks ago. After turning 28 and realizing I need to stop that finger pecking nonsense, I decided it was time to learn. I also figured if I'm going to be obsessed with mechs, I should probably learn how to use them properly haha. I'm only averaging a measly 50-55 WPM, but I'm getting faster daily! Practice makes perfect!
Haha that's awesome. I find finger pecking is truly only acceptable with typewriters and even then I should still make sure my fingers are stationed on the home row. Do you do anything specific for your daily practice? I go to keyhero and 10fastfingers for warm ups and then I go about writing stuff for work and for fun.
You can also use typeracer, or their practice mode if you don't want to compete. They have quotes from tons of books and movies, etc. As far as I know, most of them are user submitted.
Post by: grav3serker on Fri, 30 October 2015, 13:18:05
Thank you! I'll check this out for sure! Cheers!There are a few sites that let you select from famous writings. (Aesops fables comes to mind)Mostly just 10fastfingers.com and I keep trying to beat my high score. I know it's not practical by typing random words all lowercase, but it's definitely helping me get the muscle memory down. It's become my favorite game lately haha. Do you have any suggestions for more practical scenarios besides just typing on forums?I just started learning a couple of weeks ago. After turning 28 and realizing I need to stop that finger pecking nonsense, I decided it was time to learn. I also figured if I'm going to be obsessed with mechs, I should probably learn how to use them properly haha. I'm only averaging a measly 50-55 WPM, but I'm getting faster daily! Practice makes perfect!
Haha that's awesome. I find finger pecking is truly only acceptable with typewriters and even then I should still make sure my fingers are stationed on the home row. Do you do anything specific for your daily practice? I go to keyhero and 10fastfingers for warm ups and then I go about writing stuff for work and for fun.
You can also use typeracer, or their practice mode if you don't want to compete. They have quotes from tons of books and movies, etc. As far as I know, most of them are user submitted.
Post by: Bromono on Fri, 30 October 2015, 13:19:38
It is weird. If I am in the zone, I can touch type all day. Like playing online games or typing a paper. Here on the forums or when I am typing an email though, I make so many mistakes and have to look at the keys quite frequently.
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 30 October 2015, 14:21:43
I kinda have my own style.I feel you. If I'm revising a contract like I just was doing, it's all easy. Even forum posting--all easy. But put me in one of those races or make me conscious of my speed and my mistakes go up an order of magnitude, lol.
It is weird. If I am in the zone, I can touch type all day. Like playing online games or typing a paper. Here on the forums or when I am typing an email though, I make so many mistakes and have to look at the keys quite frequently.
Post by: KaminKevCrew on Fri, 30 October 2015, 14:36:10
That's exactly how I am.I kinda have my own style.I feel you. If I'm revising a contract like I just was doing, it's all easy. Even forum posting--all easy. But put me in one of those races or make me conscious of my speed and my mistakes go up an order of magnitude, lol.
It is weird. If I am in the zone, I can touch type all day. Like playing online games or typing a paper. Here on the forums or when I am typing an email though, I make so many mistakes and have to look at the keys quite frequently.
Post by: moshimalloe on Sat, 31 October 2015, 02:24:14
Post by: davkol on Sat, 31 October 2015, 07:07:56
Forget about typing sites, when there's Amphetype.Definitely all about the practice! A fun way to practice daily is by racing on play.typeracer.com. A race or two a day and your WPM will for sure improve!We should have a list of all the typing sites somewhere. There's so many of them!
Post by: faycheung on Sat, 31 October 2015, 08:08:12
The typing classes I had first year in middle school was a joke. It doesn't help when the teacher pecks as well, but then again, everyone barely spoke English.
Post by: SamirD on Sat, 31 October 2015, 09:23:19
Very cool! There's a web version too called www.keyhero.com. :thumb:Forget about typing sites, when there's Amphetype.Definitely all about the practice! A fun way to practice daily is by racing on play.typeracer.com. A race or two a day and your WPM will for sure improve!We should have a list of all the typing sites somewhere. There's so many of them!
Post by: E3E on Sat, 31 October 2015, 09:27:54
I learned how to touch type in high school though, thanks to a keyboarding class that I did horrible in. Also, being an internet kid, I'd always chat with friends online, so typing without needing to look at the keys came pretty easily, even without perfect form.
Post by: davkol on Sat, 31 October 2015, 11:38:47
Nope, "keyhero" has nothing to do with Amphetype, it has essentially none of the Amphetype features (such as text generation based on stats of previous typos) and it sucks: apart from being a Service as a Software Substitute (http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html), it often doesn't even calculate typing speed correctly. Seriously.Very cool! There's a web version too called www.keyhero.com. :thumb:Forget about typing sites, when there's Amphetype.Definitely all about the practice! A fun way to practice daily is by racing on play.typeracer.com. A race or two a day and your WPM will for sure improve!We should have a list of all the typing sites somewhere. There's so many of them!
Post by: SamirD on Sat, 31 October 2015, 12:05:13
Oh. The link from the Amphetype page made it seem like it did. I used it and it was a bit quirky but did provide a bit more stats than some of the other typing sites.Nope, "keyhero" has nothing to do with Amphetype, it has essentially none of the Amphetype features (such as text generation based on stats of previous typos) and it sucks: apart from being a Service as a Software Substitute (http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html), it often doesn't even calculate typing speed correctly. Seriously.Very cool! There's a web version too called www.keyhero.com. :thumb:Forget about typing sites, when there's Amphetype.Definitely all about the practice! A fun way to practice daily is by racing on play.typeracer.com. A race or two a day and your WPM will for sure improve!We should have a list of all the typing sites somewhere. There's so many of them!
Post by: captaineleven on Sat, 31 October 2015, 13:34:47
Quote
Nope, "keyhero" has nothing to do with Amphetype, it has essentially none of the Amphetype features (such as text generation based on stats of previous typos) and it sucks: apart from being a Service as a Software Substitute (http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html), it often doesn't even calculate typing speed correctly. Seriously.
Oh wow I didn't know that. I've been using it because it randomly generates text without having to put in my own text. But this Amphetype sounds interesting enough that I'll have to check it out.
Post by: davkol on Sat, 31 October 2015, 14:35:16
The great thing about Amphetype is that
- it runs on your own system, even offline, and it's multiplatform (Python w/ PyQt4);
- if you find a bug or miss a feature, it's entirely possible to do something about it;
- you can import texts of your choice, and read books/articles by retyping them;
- your typing stats are stored in a database on your system and you can visualize or analyze them right away;
- it can generate typing lessons based on your past typos or passages typed not so fluently.
Post by: SamirD on Sat, 31 October 2015, 14:55:06
Post by: Geroximo on Sat, 31 October 2015, 18:52:31
So I slammed some blanks on my Poker2 lately and now my touchtyping is getting better every day! :thumb:
Post by: olijuice on Sat, 31 October 2015, 20:09:47
I started to practice around March/April of this year with Qwerty but then I learned about Dvorak. practiced Dvorak for about a month and I got to the point where I memorized where all the keys were but I was really really slow; around 18 WPM. I didn't give up on Dvorak, but I wanted to know if there was something better. I learned about Colemak and I started to practice it. It was a seriously hard transition for me after beggining to learn Dvorak but I felt like I wanted to stick with it for some reason.
And then around June I had to go to the ER. I spent a good week there and had two surgeries to remove an infected gallbladder. I spent about 2 months recovering at home where I practiced Colmak.. a lot. I practiced about 20 minutes a day, then a few hours later I would practice again for 20 minutes to an hour and sometimes for another 20 minutes or more before I would go to bed. By the time I went back to work in September I was typing around 30-40 WPM on average.
Now I find myself typing around 60 WPM which I am really happy about. I find that I still make a lot of mistakes when I type, but every day I am getting better and better. Its really helped me at work so much whenever I join conference calls and I want to type notes on what everyone is saying.
Post by: W_hinklebottom on Sat, 31 October 2015, 22:22:22
It was always inconvenient to find out that mi**** a key. I wouldn't find out until I looked back up at the screen. Then I snagged a HHKB and it had blanks on it. You learn a hell of a lot quicker when the training wheels are striped off.
Typing of the Dead really helped too and it wasn't a super boring way to do it.
Post by: Shapey Fiend on Sun, 01 November 2015, 07:34:30
I used have a really high WPM when I did data entry. It tends to creep back up there when I have to do a lot of typing but it's rusty at the moment.
Post by: WolfTickets on Sun, 01 November 2015, 08:11:20
Consider lalop's Amphetype fork (https://github.com/lalopmak/amphetype). It contains some bugfixes and extra settings.
The great thing about Amphetype is thatI tried various websites (including 10fastfingers, keyhero, typeracer, hi-games.net's typing test etc.) to practice after switching to Colemak, but… I wish I had simply stuck with Amphetype. The 10fastfingers' dictionary is weird and others' quotes are mostly the same motivational/romantic stuff over and over again; keyhero's speed graphs are very imprecise; some of my progress has been forgotten because of website changes; most of these websites don't interpret Backspace and some key combos (e.g., with AltGr) correctly;… So yeah, Amphetype it is.
- it runs on your own system, even offline, and it's multiplatform (Python w/ PyQt4);
- if you find a bug or miss a feature, it's entirely possible to do something about it;
- you can import texts of your choice, and read books/articles by retyping them;
- your typing stats are stored in a database on your system and you can visualize or analyze them right away;
- it can generate typing lessons based on your past typos or passages typed not so fluently.
Post by: weehooherod on Tue, 03 November 2015, 11:59:51
Post by: ideus on Tue, 03 November 2015, 12:10:25
I learned in a 7th grade typing course. I then relearned to touch type with Colemak during finals week one sophomore semester of college. I now type correctly with the exception of never using right shift. I work with plenty of developers who still hunt and peck which blows my mind.
I program statistical analysis in R, and I touch type, but I do not feel that touch typing matters that much for coding, because it is more important to have the right syntax, variables and strcuture, more than type it quickly. At the end the proper editing is key, and most of the time you cannot edit that fast as to need a high WPM.
Post by: SamirD on Tue, 03 November 2015, 14:00:04
This is a really good point because while touch typing can help with the flow of thought from mind to computer, high wpm only helps when you can think faster than you can currently type.I learned in a 7th grade typing course. I then relearned to touch type with Colemak during finals week one sophomore semester of college. I now type correctly with the exception of never using right shift. I work with plenty of developers who still hunt and peck which blows my mind.
I program statistical analysis in R, and I touch type, but I do not feel that touch typing matters that much for coding, because it is more important to have the right syntax, variables and strcuture, more than type it quickly. At the end the proper editing is key, and most of the time you cannot edit that fast as to need a high WPM.
Post by: Touch_It on Tue, 03 November 2015, 14:27:15
Post by: MeltingTeeth on Tue, 03 November 2015, 14:28:37
Either that or summer school they said!
Post by: davkol on Tue, 03 November 2015, 14:37:00
Not really.This is a really good point because while touch typing can help with the flow of thought from mind to computer, high wpm only helps when you can think faster than you can currently type.I learned in a 7th grade typing course. I then relearned to touch type with Colemak during finals week one sophomore semester of college. I now type correctly with the exception of never using right shift. I work with plenty of developers who still hunt and peck which blows my mind.I program statistical analysis in R, and I touch type, but I do not feel that touch typing matters that much for coding, because it is more important to have the right syntax, variables and strcuture, more than type it quickly. At the end the proper editing is key, and most of the time you cannot edit that fast as to need a high WPM.
Raw speed is just one part of the equation, but then there are cognitive factors (like how much does shifting focus break ones workflow, even subconsciously), various kinds of strain etc.
Post by: edb5s on Tue, 03 November 2015, 14:56:13
Post by: djchup on Tue, 03 November 2015, 15:10:55
Post by: SamirD on Tue, 03 November 2015, 22:14:25
Not sure I'm following you...Not really.This is a really good point because while touch typing can help with the flow of thought from mind to computer, high wpm only helps when you can think faster than you can currently type.I learned in a 7th grade typing course. I then relearned to touch type with Colemak during finals week one sophomore semester of college. I now type correctly with the exception of never using right shift. I work with plenty of developers who still hunt and peck which blows my mind.I program statistical analysis in R, and I touch type, but I do not feel that touch typing matters that much for coding, because it is more important to have the right syntax, variables and strcuture, more than type it quickly. At the end the proper editing is key, and most of the time you cannot edit that fast as to need a high WPM.
Raw speed is just one part of the equation, but then there are cognitive factors (like how much does shifting focus break ones workflow, even subconsciously), various kinds of strain etc.
Post by: Bartlebum on Wed, 04 November 2015, 00:07:16
Post by: gravenshard on Wed, 04 November 2015, 12:48:16
Post by: lashiel on Wed, 04 November 2015, 13:39:28
I should probably learn real typing at some point...
Post by: AllegedlyAlienated on Wed, 04 November 2015, 16:04:02
Post by: AuRinBei on Wed, 04 November 2015, 16:48:47
Also, I never understood why no mistakes were allowed in any typing class I took. I make mistakes all the time when typing, but I'm still faster than like 95% of the population. If you can type the required speed, why do they care. Maybe this has changed. I don't know if they even teach touch typing anymore.
Post by: Kirbee on Wed, 04 November 2015, 18:03:26
Post by: mstechfreak on Thu, 05 November 2015, 01:04:40
Has anyone used a typing tutor?
Post by: SamirD on Thu, 05 November 2015, 10:49:25
I learned to touch type when I was 6 and I went with my mom to her work. She made me sit by a computer and I learned everything. Some time ago I started using dvorak keyboard layout and then I used help of a touch typing tutor. I used www.typingstudy.com.I never used a tutor, but I think the various games that people have used would count as a tutor, no?
Has anyone used a typing tutor?
Post by: bbrotha on Fri, 06 November 2015, 14:57:41
I took an online touch typing test and I was at 20wpm, pretty lame, so I began a self learning process to improve using typing.com and some other resources, at the moment I'm typing at 60 wpm and I train almost everyday...
Now I would like to have my old typewriter but probably is at the bottom of the ocean :-X :D
Post by: jaffers on Fri, 06 November 2015, 15:00:10
Post by: Flossed on Fri, 06 November 2015, 23:28:03
I played a lot of Maplestory in early middle school. I couldn't pause the game, so I had to learn to type quickly or be killed by surrounding monsters. I guess I learned to touch type out of necessity.
LOL Can confirm. Still died a lot though... :(
Post by: beehatch on Sat, 07 November 2015, 00:12:31
Post by: priyadi on Sat, 07 November 2015, 00:13:36
Hitting A with pinky on those babies were really a *****, though. And we can actually get injured if we missed hitting the actual key and our pinky gets into the gap between keys. So it is common to cheat on the A key when the teacher were not looking :).
Post by: dummytim on Sat, 07 November 2015, 22:33:13
After that, I played a fair bit of Maplestory and touch typing came in handy when you needed to talk to people in game. So I think that games were the main place where I've learned to touch type. It's been a useful skill with writing college essays and all. So I think that the younger generation should game more!
Post by: Tony on Mon, 09 November 2015, 06:34:03
Post by: MagicSauce on Mon, 09 November 2015, 09:04:56
Post by: shibataken on Tue, 10 November 2015, 13:22:12
Post by: Infrared on Tue, 10 November 2015, 13:23:35
Post by: Waateva on Tue, 10 November 2015, 14:23:11
I feel like being forced to type while in the middle of somewhat active environments helped me immensely, as before I just really didn't care enough to bother learning it. I also switched to an office job almost 4 years ago, so the time learned in those games has helped me a ton and allows me to sit around 75WPM on average.
Post by: SamirD on Tue, 10 November 2015, 22:41:52
Post by: swimmingbird on Tue, 10 November 2015, 22:47:38
I'm going to attempt to get my 65+ year old parents to learn to touch type--any great (free) online tools for this?
keybr is the one I've seen with the shortest typing samples and is very straightforward to use so I would try that
Post by: alexjd99 on Tue, 10 November 2015, 22:48:48
I bet she would be reaaalll impressed with my 110 WPM now ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Post by: SamirD on Tue, 10 November 2015, 23:34:39
Thank you for the link. I like that one a lot. The biggest problem I know they're going to have is reading the letters on the screen. Even at the largest size it may still be an issue, but I'll definitely give this a shot.I'm going to attempt to get my 65+ year old parents to learn to touch type--any great (free) online tools for this?
keybr is the one I've seen with the shortest typing samples and is very straightforward to use so I would try that
Post by: SamirD on Tue, 10 November 2015, 23:35:41
It was basically me trying to impress this girl in my computer class in 6th grade who could type at like 60 WPMBest. Reason. Ever.
I bet she would be reaaalll impressed with my 110 WPM now ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
This is usually the reason I hear for guys getting into cars, but never before for typing. First time for everything. :thumb:
Post by: swimmingbird on Tue, 10 November 2015, 23:36:05
Thank you for the link. I like that one a lot. The biggest problem I know they're going to have is reading the letters on the screen. Even at the largest size it may still be an issue, but I'll definitely give this a shot.I'm going to attempt to get my 65+ year old parents to learn to touch type--any great (free) online tools for this?
keybr is the one I've seen with the shortest typing samples and is very straightforward to use so I would try that
You can blow it up pretty big - just whack ctrl+"+" to get it to 200% or so
Post by: SamirD on Wed, 11 November 2015, 07:50:50
Thank you for the link. I like that one a lot. The biggest problem I know they're going to have is reading the letters on the screen. Even at the largest size it may still be an issue, but I'll definitely give this a shot.I'm going to attempt to get my 65+ year old parents to learn to touch type--any great (free) online tools for this?Ah duh! I forgot about doing that. Thank you!
keybr is the one I've seen with the shortest typing samples and is very straightforward to use so I would try that
You can blow it up pretty big - just whack ctrl+"+" to get it to 200% or so
Post by: Waateva on Wed, 11 November 2015, 08:12:54
It was basically me trying to impress this girl in my computer class in 6th grade who could type at like 60 WPM
I bet she would be reaaalll impressed with my 110 WPM now ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Chicks dig high WPM, I'm pretty sure this is a proven fact.
Post by: SamirD on Wed, 11 November 2015, 09:34:26
link?It was basically me trying to impress this girl in my computer class in 6th grade who could type at like 60 WPM
I bet she would be reaaalll impressed with my 110 WPM now ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Chicks dig high WPM, I'm pretty sure this is a proven fact.
Post by: Waateva on Wed, 11 November 2015, 10:44:51
link?It was basically me trying to impress this girl in my computer class in 6th grade who could type at like 60 WPM
I bet she would be reaaalll impressed with my 110 WPM now ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Chicks dig high WPM, I'm pretty sure this is a proven fact.
http://imgur.com/M2MlR13
Post by: maladat on Wed, 11 November 2015, 13:28:40
I've never had a keyboard with blank keycaps, but when you're playing a text based game with a ton of text scrolling across the screen telling you about the world, and what other players are saying, and about what might be trying to kill you, your eyes are on the screen, not the keycap legends.
I've never taken a typing class, I've never had a job that was particularly typing-heavy, but I can pretty easily hit 100+ WPM on my Macbook Pro keyboard and a little higher on a mechanical.
On a good day, if I don't slow down to go back and correct the occasional mistake, I can hit 120.
I'm thinking about taking up Colemak now to see if I can push it a bit higher with a little less strain.
Post by: trees on Wed, 11 November 2015, 13:41:14
Post by: yogimatt on Wed, 11 November 2015, 16:35:33
4th grade typing class. I was the fastest typer in my grade ;D I pride myself on that.
Same, but 3rd grade for me. They put these bright orange rubber covers on the keyboards so you couldn't see the legends, they felt awful to type on but they honestly helped a ton.
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 13 November 2015, 08:33:35
yeah, but it didn't seem like he got the girl, just proved her wrong, lol.link?It was basically me trying to impress this girl in my computer class in 6th grade who could type at like 60 WPM
I bet she would be reaaalll impressed with my 110 WPM now ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Chicks dig high WPM, I'm pretty sure this is a proven fact.
http://imgur.com/M2MlR13
Post by: Waateva on Fri, 13 November 2015, 09:16:50
yeah, but it didn't seem like he got the girl, just proved her wrong, lol.link?It was basically me trying to impress this girl in my computer class in 6th grade who could type at like 60 WPM
I bet she would be reaaalll impressed with my 110 WPM now ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Chicks dig high WPM, I'm pretty sure this is a proven fact.
http://imgur.com/M2MlR13
No, the girl proved the guy wrong about her typing speed and made fun of his "frankly mediocre 85WPM" which makes me sad, because that's around what I type at :(
Post by: phosphoric on Fri, 13 November 2015, 12:16:20
Post by: phoible on Fri, 13 November 2015, 16:23:51
Then a few years ago I got a Leopold Otaku keyboard, and that got me to stop looking at even the symbols and number keys when I type (and got me up to my current speed). Now I don't look at the keys even when I'm typing on a keyboard with letters on it.
Post by: dummytim on Fri, 13 November 2015, 16:40:28
Im going with the 'buy blanks and deal with it' apporach.
I knew that I could touch type before purchasing some blanks for my Poker 2. The only issue I still sort of have is inputting numbers for passwords, it takes me a while to adjust to where the number keys are being blank and all.
Post by: Zanduby on Fri, 13 November 2015, 17:09:21
Post by: dummytim on Fri, 13 November 2015, 17:12:54
Middle school. Had to take a class in typing. My kids are now being taught that in 3rd grade. I'm going to get him a keyboard with some blank keys soon and see how he does with that.
Or you could buy something with legends and just mix up all of them! ;)
Post by: Zanduby on Fri, 13 November 2015, 17:26:07
Middle school. Had to take a class in typing. My kids are now being taught that in 3rd grade. I'm going to get him a keyboard with some blank keys soon and see how he does with that.
Or you could buy something with legends and just mix up all of them! ;)
I have an old dell rubber dome they've already done that to. I should make him use that one until he knows how to type.
Post by: dummytim on Fri, 13 November 2015, 17:39:27
Middle school. Had to take a class in typing. My kids are now being taught that in 3rd grade. I'm going to get him a keyboard with some blank keys soon and see how he does with that.
Or you could buy something with legends and just mix up all of them! ;)
I have an old dell rubber dome they've already done that to. I should make him use that one until he knows how to type.
New idea! Change the layout to Dvorak :D
Post by: Zanduby on Fri, 13 November 2015, 18:13:10
Middle school. Had to take a class in typing. My kids are now being taught that in 3rd grade. I'm going to get him a keyboard with some blank keys soon and see how he does with that.
Or you could buy something with legends and just mix up all of them! ;)
I have an old dell rubber dome they've already done that to. I should make him use that one until he knows how to type.
New idea! Change the layout to Dvorak :D
Now thats a good idea. I like that one. I'll change the dip switches on my Pok3r and let him try that out.
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Sat, 05 December 2015, 15:23:32
Post by: DAVYtm on Sat, 05 December 2015, 15:48:23
Post by: maskey on Sat, 05 December 2015, 16:13:16
Oregon Trail ftw!
Post by: BigDov on Sat, 05 December 2015, 16:16:52
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Sat, 05 December 2015, 21:08:23
I learned in elementary school on an old Apple PC. We had mandatory typing classes, sometime in the mid 90's.
Oregon Trail ftw!
Yes yes, the Oregon Trail. This is going back to about 1991 or so.
Post by: KaminKevCrew on Sat, 05 December 2015, 21:12:06
My sister played the Oregon Trail when we were kids!I learned in elementary school on an old Apple PC. We had mandatory typing classes, sometime in the mid 90's.
Oregon Trail ftw!
Yes yes, the Oregon Trail. This is going back to about 1991 or so.
Post by: Roibhilin on Sat, 05 December 2015, 21:13:17
Post by: E3E on Sat, 05 December 2015, 22:39:23
i forced myself to after i was publicly humiliated on OCN for typing at 90 WPM with my two ring fingers
That's an achievement though! 90 wpm with your ring fingers? I mean, really... Who two finger types with their RING fingers?
Post by: KaminKevCrew on Sat, 05 December 2015, 22:47:54
I mean, yeah... I didn't even know it was possible to type that fast with only two fingers!i forced myself to after i was publicly humiliated on OCN for typing at 90 WPM with my two ring fingers
That's an achievement though! 90 wpm with your ring fingers? I mean, really... Who two finger types with their RING fingers?
Post by: swimmingbird on Sun, 06 December 2015, 16:02:16
I mean, yeah... I didn't even know it was possible to type that fast with only two fingers!i forced myself to after i was publicly humiliated on OCN for typing at 90 WPM with my two ring fingers
That's an achievement though! 90 wpm with your ring fingers? I mean, really... Who two finger types with their RING fingers?
Before I started touch typing I could hit about 90 wpm with just using index and ring fingers if I looked at the keyboard
Post by: SamirD on Mon, 14 December 2015, 20:34:16
I sucked so bad at that game. I always tried to break out of it and look at the programming as on some of the platforms (Apple?) it was written in basic. Then I'd change some lines and re-run it for some unsuspecting soul, hehe.I learned in elementary school on an old Apple PC. We had mandatory typing classes, sometime in the mid 90's.
Oregon Trail ftw!
Yes yes, the Oregon Trail. This is going back to about 1991 or so.
Post by: y11971alex on Mon, 14 December 2015, 21:12:08
So, I'm just wondering when people learned to touch type. For me, it only happened recently, when I put the blank caps on my Daskeyboard 4... Now I'm using a pok3r, and aside from looking down for the FN layer, I can touch type now... It's an amazing feeling, so I thought I would ask when everyone learned... Now I just need to get my speed up, so I can have those crazy type test scores...
I learned proper technique during typing class, but before then I already was using my own naturally developer technique, since I surfed the Internet a lot before I went to primary school.
However, i"m only a touch typist on the alphanumeric section of the keyboard; I can't say the same for function, navigation, or media keys.
Post by: demik on Tue, 15 December 2015, 00:29:10
i just got better during AOL days.
Post by: SamirD on Tue, 15 December 2015, 00:34:02
middle school...only passed the class because my gf at the time was the TA...Someone was a pimp in middle school. :cool:
Post by: fknraiden on Tue, 15 December 2015, 01:34:21
Post by: GeneralArrow on Tue, 15 December 2015, 01:48:54
Post by: xondat on Tue, 15 December 2015, 15:43:12
Post by: Nalor on Tue, 15 December 2015, 20:53:50
Post by: Connly33 on Tue, 22 December 2015, 05:24:56
After my keyboard interests started to grow i got more motivated to start typing correctly. I'm still only at about 45 WPM average.
Post by: SunTanScanMan on Mon, 11 January 2016, 13:21:23
I have been practicing around 30mins everyday to correct my technique, and succeeding in weaning myself off the old habits. (Using Typing Club and Fast Fingers sites)
I am currently learning to touch type Korean/Hangul with Hancom typing training. I was born in Korea but I've spent the majority of my life in Europe, so my typing speed is atrocious. I am a fluent speaker and reader so it makes it slightly easier. It's been something that I have wanted to address for the longest time.
Post by: xondat on Mon, 11 January 2016, 15:30:17
About 3 weeks ago, otherwise I've used a few fingers all my life. This is much more satisfying even with the constant mistakes I'm still making, but I know that the switches I am using are way too light which results in lots of accidental presses.
Just hit 80WPM highest and I can now average 70+ per run.
Post by: Touch_It on Mon, 11 January 2016, 16:18:05
Post by: demik on Mon, 11 January 2016, 16:22:19
middle school...only passed the class because my gf at the time was the TA...Someone was a pimp in middle school. :cool:
was? still is.
Post by: trizkut on Mon, 11 January 2016, 16:23:48
middle school...only passed the class because my gf at the time was the TA...Someone was a pimp in middle school. :cool:
was? still is.
dewey got game.
Post by: demik on Mon, 11 January 2016, 16:33:23
middle school...only passed the class because my gf at the time was the TA...Someone was a pimp in middle school. :cool:
was? still is.
dewey got game.
lean in my cup, gas in my blunt.
Post by: Brammm87 on Mon, 11 January 2016, 17:46:21
She was right. I'm not the fastest typer (about 80wpm?) and recently switched from touch typing azerty to qwerty, but so thankful.
Post by: wockytocky on Mon, 11 January 2016, 19:25:10
Post by: derb2k2 on Mon, 11 January 2016, 20:04:34
Post by: DaveW on Mon, 11 January 2016, 20:08:11
Post by: frogthejam19 on Tue, 12 January 2016, 06:52:02
Post by: Brammm87 on Tue, 12 January 2016, 07:14:47
I learned in the late 90's when I first got my hands on a computer that was bought for the family. I've since become very proficient at touch-typing and can even use the row numbers (also numpad, ofcourse) effectively. Also, I'm a heavy shortcut user and always try to learn all of them to avoid my hands leaving the keyboard :)
I bought a TKL to force myself to learn to touch type the number row... Still not very good at it 5 months later and I miss my numpad. I sorta often have to enter lots of numbers and it's a pain.
Post by: wockytocky on Wed, 13 January 2016, 15:55:45
I learned in the late 90's when I first got my hands on a computer that was bought for the family. I've since become very proficient at touch-typing and can even use the row numbers (also numpad, ofcourse) effectively. Also, I'm a heavy shortcut user and always try to learn all of them to avoid my hands leaving the keyboard :)
I bought a TKL to force myself to learn to touch type the number row... Still not very good at it 5 months later and I miss my numpad. I sorta often have to enter lots of numbers and it's a pain.
What I do if I know I'm going to need to enter a lot of numbers on a TKL is I'll move my hands up to the number row and use it as a temporary home row. So instead of F and J my new "homing" keys are 4 and 7. Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty nice
Post by: phosphoric on Wed, 13 January 2016, 16:06:25
I learned in the late 90's when I first got my hands on a computer that was bought for the family. I've since become very proficient at touch-typing and can even use the row numbers (also numpad, ofcourse) effectively. Also, I'm a heavy shortcut user and always try to learn all of them to avoid my hands leaving the keyboard :)
I bought a TKL to force myself to learn to touch type the number row... Still not very good at it 5 months later and I miss my numpad. I sorta often have to enter lots of numbers and it's a pain.
I learned in the late 90's when I first got my hands on a computer that was bought for the family. I've since become very proficient at touch-typing and can even use the row numbers (also numpad, ofcourse) effectively. Also, I'm a heavy shortcut user and always try to learn all of them to avoid my hands leaving the keyboard :)
I bought a TKL to force myself to learn to touch type the number row... Still not very good at it 5 months later and I miss my numpad. I sorta often have to enter lots of numbers and it's a pain.
What I do if I know I'm going to need to enter a lot of numbers on a TKL is I'll move my hands up to the number row and use it as a temporary home row. So instead of F and J my new "homing" keys are 4 and 7. Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty nice
i've heard this argument so many times, but the number pad is just so much more efficient and ergonomic, especially if you're doing accounting applications, because it's not uncommon to have to type *, /, -, and +. with the number row those keys aren't easily accessible, but the numpad has them there on the base layer.
granted, i prefer typing on a 60% without the number pad (mostly because the fn layer is so much easier to use than having to move my hands for the navigation cluster), but i still miss the number pad quite often. you also have to take into account that you'll have to reorient your hands on the number row and then LOOK at your hands again to make sure they're on the right keys, versus simply moving your hand over to the far right of the keyboard and finding the bump on 5.
Post by: Brammm87 on Wed, 13 January 2016, 16:25:29
i've heard this argument so many times, but the number pad is just so much more efficient and ergonomic, especially if you're doing accounting applications, because it's not uncommon to have to type *, /, -, and +. with the number row those keys aren't easily accessible, but the numpad has them there on the base layer.
granted, i prefer typing on a 60% without the number pad (mostly because the fn layer is so much easier to use than having to move my hands for the navigation cluster), but i still miss the number pad quite often. you also have to take into account that you'll have to reorient your hands on the number row and then LOOK at your hands again to make sure they're on the right keys, versus simply moving your hand over to the far right of the keyboard and finding the bump on 5.
What I do if I know I'm going to need to enter a lot of numbers on a TKL is I'll move my hands up to the number row and use it as a temporary home row. So instead of F and J my new "homing" keys are 4 and 7. Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty nice
I'm really looking forward to my whitefox and the ability to put a numpad on another layer. Even got the granite dual legends for it. Although I wonder how easy/handy it'll be with the offset matrix (what's the word for that?). If that doesn't work out, I'm trying ortholinear.
Post by: phosphoric on Wed, 13 January 2016, 16:30:20
i've heard this argument so many times, but the number pad is just so much more efficient and ergonomic, especially if you're doing accounting applications, because it's not uncommon to have to type *, /, -, and +. with the number row those keys aren't easily accessible, but the numpad has them there on the base layer.
granted, i prefer typing on a 60% without the number pad (mostly because the fn layer is so much easier to use than having to move my hands for the navigation cluster), but i still miss the number pad quite often. you also have to take into account that you'll have to reorient your hands on the number row and then LOOK at your hands again to make sure they're on the right keys, versus simply moving your hand over to the far right of the keyboard and finding the bump on 5.What I do if I know I'm going to need to enter a lot of numbers on a TKL is I'll move my hands up to the number row and use it as a temporary home row. So instead of F and J my new "homing" keys are 4 and 7. Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty nice
I'm really looking forward to my whitefox and the ability to put a numpad on another layer. Even got the granite dual legends for it. Although I wonder how easy/handy it'll be with the offset matrix (what's the word for that?). If that doesn't work out, I'm trying ortholinear.
i have a number pad layer on my pok3r, but the lack of an ortholinear orientation is so offsetting to me. ymmv though - i know that a ton of people aren't thrown by the layered numberpad and find it fine to use for little bits of data entry, but you're still missing the basic arithmetic symbols.