I hang around on TypeRacer more than is good for me, but that and chatting with friends is the main non-productive way to get faster. Once I reach a threshold (

I hang around on TypeRacer more than is good for me, but that and chatting with friends is the main non-productive way to get faster. Once I reach a threshold (let's call it 60 words per minute), I find it adequate to use for daily use and then I reach my usual speed. As for learning a particular layout, Dvorak took me weeks to get down-pat, but Norman only took me a couple of hours. I think it more has to do with me learning a bunch of layouts over the years than the layout itself. Otherwise, no real tools are necessary. After learning the layout (which involves trying to memorize it based on each finger, start with the home row then move up then down. Then I'd start drawing it on paper from memory to reinforce the look of each row and column), I start to type to gain muscle memory. I may keep a list of weak keys on a piece of paper for reference. I never relabel my keys or look down at the keyboard. I always learn to touch type an alternative layout (as it really sucks when someone else can't use your keyboard)