[ad#content2]I’ve been meaning to learn how to type properly for a long time, but only really started to learn over the last few months. What really encouraged me to start learning this basic, but very important skill was a blog post by Jeff Atwood. Essentially, he puts forward the argument that not knowing how to type properly is like digging a hole without a shovel.
My own “make it up as you go along” method had a speed of around 50 words per minute which is a little poor after having used a computer for the last 10 years of my life. As Jeff said, “We are typists first and programmers second.” However the need to be able to type properly, and with speed doesn’t just apply to programmers. It applies to everyone who uses a keyboard.
I learnt all of the basics from a series of tutorials, and exercises by Dave Bartlett. After learning the basics, you have to practise, practise, practise. And then practise some more. You can use the following games to get some practise.
It takes a lot to change a habit which I’ve developed over the last 10 years, but I’m slowly breaking it. I can just about touch type as fast as I can type using my own method. It took me 10 years to develop that kind of speed (50 WPM) using my own method, and took me only a few months with using the proper method (granted my previous 10 years of experience were useful in learning to touch type).
Nevertheless, I’ve found it difficult to actually use my new skill. For example, even though I’ve been touch typing for the last few months, this is the first post I’ve typed properly. Learning’s one thing, but you actually have to use what you’ve learnt. Otherwise, your new knowledge will be worthless. So, I’ve just to touch type everything I type.
Also, I’d reccomend learning the keyboard shortcuts for the applications you use. It means you won’t have to remove your hands from the home row.
Touch typing
[ad#content2]I’ve been meaning to learn how to type properly for a long time, but only really started to learn over the last few months. What really encouraged me to start learning this basic, but very important skill was a blog post by Jeff Atwood. Essentially, he puts forward the argument that not knowing how to type properly is like digging a hole without a shovel.
My own “make it up as you go along” method had a speed of around 50 words per minute which is a little poor after having used a computer for the last 10 years of my life. As Jeff said, “We are typists first and programmers second.” However the need to be able to type properly, and with speed doesn’t just apply to programmers. It applies to everyone who uses a keyboard.
I learnt all of the basics from a series of tutorials, and exercises by Dave Bartlett. After learning the basics, you have to practise, practise, practise. And then practise some more. You can use the following games to get some practise.
It takes a lot to change a habit which I’ve developed over the last 10 years, but I’m slowly breaking it. I can just about touch type as fast as I can type using my own method. It took me 10 years to develop that kind of speed (50 WPM) using my own method, and took me only a few months with using the proper method (granted my previous 10 years of experience were useful in learning to touch type).
Nevertheless, I’ve found it difficult to actually use my new skill. For example, even though I’ve been touch typing for the last few months, this is the first post I’ve typed properly. Learning’s one thing, but you actually have to use what you’ve learnt. Otherwise, your new knowledge will be worthless. So, I’ve just to touch type everything I type.
Also, I’d reccomend learning the keyboard shortcuts for the applications you use. It means you won’t have to remove your hands from the home row.