28 ms·

> The result is a compact, muscle-memorizable repertoire of just over 50 unique motions in total. Typing for me isn't much about speed(that's an added advantag

by irahul 14y ago

> The result is a compact, muscle-memorizable repertoire of just over 50 unique motions in total. Typing for me isn't much about speed(that's an added advantage). The muscle memory and ability to type without looking at the keyboard alone is worth learning it even if you experience a slowdown in the beginning compared to your one tap, two tap or what have you. I am a bit surprised typing isn't emphasized enough. Techie or not, if you use computers a lot, learning to touch type is worth it, specially considering that if you aren't a techie(i.e you don't need all the special characters), it doesn't take much time to learn. For anyone trying to learn touch typing, I would suggest stick with the rule 1 - concentrate on accuracy, speed will come with time. And if you are a programmer, don't worry too much about speed. You generally don't type code at full speed anyway.

tehwalrus 14y ago
THIS. I got a Das Keyboard with no markings just to finish learning touch-typing (I had done half a course at one point, so I sort of knew what to do..) Speed is secondary to not breaking your focus/train of thought mid-sentence.
- dkersten 14y ago
  I got a Das Keyboard with no markings just to finish learning touch-typing Me too. I recently also noticed that if I close my eyes while typing, my accuracy is very very close to 100% (ie in every typing test I've taken to try it, I got 100%, but in real-life typing, I do make the occasional mistake) while with my eyes open, its anywhere between 80% and 99%, depending on how tired I am.
olalonde 14y ago
I agree totally. I used to be a monkey typist (maybe 3 fingers on each hands and never had to look at the keyboard) and my WPM was about 70 wpm, so I didn't really see the point of learning touch typing. However, when I tried to start using Vim, it was quasi-impossible to become productive in it with my typing style. I therefore started to learn touch typing. I was very slow in the beginning (maybe 30-40 wpm for the first few weeks) but I forced myself to touch type all the time although it was much slower. It has now been a few months and I'm almost back at 70 wpm and my accuracy is much better. Vim is also now my favorite and most productive editor. Tip: don't try to learn both touch typing and Vim at the same time. Learn touch typing first and when you're comfortable enough, learn Vim.

by irahul 14y ago

tehwalrus 14y ago

THIS. I got a Das Keyboard with no markings just to finish learning touch-typing (I had done half a course at one point, so I sort of knew what to do..) Speed is secondary to not breaking your focus/train of thought mid-sentence.

dkersten 14y ago
I got a Das Keyboard with no markings just to finish learning touch-typing Me too. I recently also noticed that if I close my eyes while typing, my accuracy is very very close to 100% (ie in every typing test I've taken to try it, I got 100%, but in real-life typing, I do make the occasional mistake) while with my eyes open, its anywhere between 80% and 99%, depending on how tired I am.

olalonde 14y ago

I agree totally. I used to be a monkey typist (maybe 3 fingers on each hands and never had to look at the keyboard) and my WPM was about 70 wpm, so I didn't really see the point of learning touch typing. However, when I tried to start using Vim, it was quasi-impossible to become productive in it with my typing style. I therefore started to learn touch typing. I was very slow in the beginning (maybe 30-40 wpm for the first few weeks) but I forced myself to touch type all the time although it was much slower. It has now been a few months and I'm almost back at 70 wpm and my accuracy is much better. Vim is also now my favorite and most productive editor. Tip: don't try to learn both touch typing and Vim at the same time. Learn touch typing first and when you're comfortable enough, learn Vim.