is it worth it to learn how to type properly?

[Shyfe]

i type with 3 fingers on my left hand and 2 fingers on my right hand i can maintain around 150 WPM. i use right ring finger primarily for backspace, right pinky for enter, and left pinky for shift. do you suppose i would type even faster if i learned how to type using 4 fingers on each hand?

[Shyfe]

i think she can maintain it for like 40 minutes with 100% accuracy there is no way i could that, i don't think.

[itlnstln]

I would think so, but at 150 WPM, you type faster than just about any person on Earth.  I improved my typing speed immensely after learning how to type properly, but I still don't think I type any faster than about 75 WPM.  I make a lot of mistakes, too.

[Shyfe]

agh, i'm trying to type using 4 fingers on each hand but it's so hard.

[o2dazone]

My brother is a programmer of 7 years now. He just recently learned how to type properly, and he's glad he did. It's never too late to learn properly, but will typing faster benefit you? Ask yourself that seriously, I find whether I type fast or slow, I still get the same amount of work done, simply because I'm spending lots of time pausing in between my typing, thinking things out in my head.

[Rajagra]

Use as many fingers as you like, as long as you're touch-typing. I find it more relaxing, it was well worth the effort to learn.

In fact I'm now using the Colemak layout, it's even more relaxing. If you have bad typing habits you want to break, learning a new layout might be a good way to go about it.

Speed isn't everything.

[itlnstln]

Speed isn't everything.

D*mn.  I thought that was the whole point to learning how to type.

[Shyfe]

anyone have some more advice on how to learn to use the home row keys? i find it especially awkward that it's tilted right for both the right hand and the left hand if you see what i mean.

[JBert]

Speed isn't everything.

Sure, correctness is even more important (spares the backspace key from getting worn out).

However, the more efficient your data entry, the easier you can get your thoughts on the screen.

Quite frankly, it doesn't matter how many fingers you use. Just make sure you can keep it up without making mistakes and straining your hands. In the latter case, you might need to change your typing habits.

[keyb_gr]

anyone have some more advice on how to learn to use the home row keys? i find it especially awkward that it's tilted right for both the right hand and the left hand if you see what i mean.

In fact, this was discussed here quite recently. Lemme see whether I can find the thread...
Ah, here it is.

Anyway, the suggested rules are not set in stone. Humans tend to be quite flexible. If you do plan on using some typing tutors, one that includes the numbers row would be best. I don't know whether there are any covering the other keys and keyboard / mouse interaction.

[qso]

Also depends on how many hours do you type everyday.  It's obvious by using all fingers you reduce total travel distances , this is vital for long hours typing. If you are a touch typist, you wont even think of moving your fingers or trying to remember where are the keys, you just do it.

Maybe training on typingweb.com/tutor can help.

Btw i'm using middle left finger for x, ring finger for z and right index finger for b

[spremino]

150 WPM? Wow! I would give up touch typing to be able to type that fast.

Seriously, I don't think touch typing is much about speed (of course you are expected to improve your speed by employing proper technique), but more about typing with the least effort and without distractions caused by having to look at the keyboard. I'd say that if you can type fast without ending up tired and you are not distracted by having to look at the keyboard, then touch typing is not worth learning.

[wheel83]

its not worth it to learn touch typing for speed.  it is worth it to avoid rsi from deviation of the wrist.

[joniho]

i find it especially awkward that it's tilted right for both the right hand and the left hand if you see what i mean.

Are you talking about the top row in relation to the home row? I also wonder why the home and bottom rows are offset evenly (the center of B aligns with the space between G and H), and the top row in relation to the home row is only offset; moreover the number row is offset to the top row like the home-bottom relation.

[hyperlinked]

i type with 3 fingers on my left hand and 2 fingers on my right hand i can maintain around 150 WPM. i use right ring finger primarily for backspace, right pinky for enter, and left pinky for shift. do you suppose i would type even faster if i learned how to type using 4 fingers on each hand?

Ahem, so does your speed go down if you use your shift key?

[InSanCen]

ahem, so does your speed go down if you use your shift key?

rofl

[hyperlinked]

its not worth it to learn touch typing for speed.  it is worth it to avoid rsi from deviation of the wrist.

Speaking of RSI, the faster you are, the greater the likelihood that you'll develop RSI as well.

[AndrewZorn]

asking if it's worth learning to type on a keyboard forum?

like asking if i really need to learn to drive on a car forum

[Rajagra]

But everyone's a good driver. Just ask them.

[microsoft windows]

That's not true. If everyone was a good driver you could have a Yankees bumper sticker and make it out of Boston alive.