Learning how to type all over again

[RoboKrikit]

I was going to post this as a reply to the Typing tutor games with good playability thread, but realized it might be better as its own topic.

Does anyone know of any good programs that would be helpful in re-learning how to type?  I'm thinking something like an onscreen interface constantly reminding you which fingers you should be using, or something like that.  It'd be nice if it could magically tell you when you used the wrong fingers, but I don't expect miracles.

Like the OP, I'm an IT guy.  I spend a lot of time at the command line and writing code, and I do touch type (>100wpm).  Recently I was reading a post where someone described a professor of theirs who typed with only two fingers but typed rather quickly anyhow.  I kinda smiled at this; imagine typing with only two fingers!  Then I thought about my unorthodox typing style for a minute and furrowed my brow.  I typed out a few paragraphs, and realized I pretty much only use the first two fingers on each hand, except for the A key and modifier/enter/etc keys.

Well, ****.  That can't be good.

I also took a few typing tests and noticed that although I type pretty fast, I do make more mistakes than I thought, probably because my two fingers are flying all over the place instead of sticking to a subset of keys.

Has anyone here re-learned touch typing in a situation like this?

[WhiteRice]

I just learned to 10 finger touch type the end of this summer. Geekhack was a motivating factor there. I basically learned the keyboard from playing videogames but, I never learned proper fingering until geekhack.

typingweb.com has a animation below your typing area that illustrates which finger you should be using. I find that the lessons are good for developing a strong foundation of the fundamentals.

[Keymonger]

http://www.typingmaster.com/

I've used this to learn. I'm on linux so ktouch was also available to me. I've tried it for several days. It's awful compared to typingmaster pro (ignore the hilarious name for a moment). Ktouch does so many things wrong like showing how fast you are while typing, it's stupid. When you type, you should focus only on one thing: accuracy and comfort. Forget speed entirely. The software in the link above focuses on just that. I generally avoid proprietary software that costs money, but it pretty much gets everything right. I think there should be an open-source clone of that program.

[keyboardlover]

Out of curiosity, what kind of keyboard is that? It sounds nice =)

[msiegel]

what kind of keyboard is that?

whatever it is, the keycaps have big, centered, old-school legends

[RoboKrikit]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Out of curiosity, what kind of keyboard is that? It sounds nice =)

It's a new Filco tenkeyless w/Cherry blues, with the Dolch keycaps from WhiteRice's custom order.  The keycaps did alter the sound slightly.

[rantenki]

I type about 100WPM, and was shocked to discover that I do the exact same thing! First 2 fingers only! Pinkies only used for ctl keys.

/me downloading a typing program stat.

Not sharing my self diagnosis video. Not brave enough.

[bakageta]

Off topic, but you have nicely manicured nails... Back on subject, I used to type similar to that, in high school, but I've improved quite a bit since then. I didn't use any particular program, I just made a mental note of it, and slowed down and forced myself to type right. I wish you luck, it took a lot of effort to change my bad habits.

[woody]

This classic style precludes use of Shift and bunch of buttons with the same hand. So you have to always use Shift on the alternate hand?

[Lanx]

This classic style precludes use of Shift and bunch of buttons with the same hand. So you have to always use Shift on the alternate hand?

yes. i do it, not too difficult, sometimes i'll catch myself shifting with the same hand but very rarely. I don't even know you have to do it like that, typing class taught me that when i was 12, and never stopped.

[Ekaros]

Yhea my typing technigue is pretty near that too, mainly use only four fingers and ocasionaly six. And a lot of mistakes too, have to get time and motivation to learn proper typing...

[2084]

I pretty much type with all fingers on my left hand and 4 of my right hand (minus pinky).
But I can't touch type numbers at all, I think it's extremely uncomfortable to type "2" with my left pinky

[Keymonger]

But I can't touch type numbers at all, I think it's extremely uncomfortable to type "2" with my left pinky

You're supposed to use the ring finger for that.

[Lanx]

yea pretty much why it's uncomfortable =p

[2084]

You're supposed to use the ring finger for that.

Oh seems like that is different in some cases,
Typingstudy has it the way I stated

[Lanx]

typingstudy must be teaching wrong.

[RoboKrikit]

I've mostly integrated right ring finger into the action. Next: more keys for left ring finger.

THE BATTLE CONTINUES.

[theferenc]

I have a lot of respect for you doing this. I don't think I could just do it like that. Admittedly, I'm a little ways ahead of you, as I use my ring fingers, but not nearly as often as I should.

But yeah, my methods are a bit more direct: kinesis advantage. I physically CANNOT type on it in my normal fashion, so I have to use proper technique. It's HARD. And absurdly slow.