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[terrisus]

Tag quote bait

for real

Some things are easier to find a specific answer to by searching than others :þ

 

[Halcyon]

I was a God on a MUD in my youth. I exceed your level.

I built a MUD with two of my friends in my youth and paid for the server space.

I also have played and mapped most Infocoms. Xyzzy

 

[SkeptiMism]

Here it was just an optional subject in upper comprehensive school. I didn't think of it that much back then, but I still took it and it was certainly one of the best decisions I've made in my life. It's really quite a simple skill in the end, in the sense that you use it everyday and you don't think about it, but damn it's incredibly useful.

My SO doesn't touch type and it's pretty painful seeing her type anything.

 

[i_am_ben]

I cant type properly. It's never held me back at all.

Its pretty easy to type really quickly even if you do have to look at the key board.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

But I thought that's how it was taught in every traditional typing class?

Yes, that's how it's taught. But you're not required to use it. I found my own way that worked better for me.

[...] but usually once I sit down to type I don't need to worry about it much.

I actually have realized I have trouble typing while standing, and will make more typos, so when I stand I sometimes do have to look (on unfamiliar keyboards anyway). But yeah, once I sit down I'm fine.

 

[Dreadnought]

I can touch type just fine, I don't know why people are saying they took a typing class to learn touch typing. It's something you pick up quickly in this day in age as everyone is always on a computer.

 

[L95]

I don't think I type properly.... but I don't have to look at the keyboard when I type.

 

[terrisus]

I cant type properly. It's never held me back at all.

Its pretty easy to type really quickly even if you do have to look at the key board.

So, what's your WPM and Accuracy then?

 

[FunkyMunkey]

I have a keyboard that doesn't have any letters printed on its keys and it's pretty hilarious when people come over to my house and casually try to use my computer and are completely unable to do anything.

i would sit down and look at the keyboard, give you an approving nod, and start typing

 

[Simply Sarah]

I mean, I was never formally taught to touch type. But after years and years and years at a keyboard it just eventually happened. Anyone that has been using computers for as long as I have and can't touch type just kind of confuses the hell out of me.

 

[Haloid1177]

I used to type looking down for the longest time, then I just kinda figured I could do it without looking. That was a good day.

 

[ZackieChan]

Hey, some people are alright at that sort of thing.
Just that it doesn't necessarily imply a transfer or skills to typing on a physical keyboard.

Why does not being a direct transfer of skills make them "garbage"? It's a new skill, but pretty much a necessary one these days. Deal with it.gif

 

[Drifters]

It's all about that voice transcribe software these days.

But seriously, touch typing is pretty uncommon in IT. It's more common in fields like news and blogging.

The fuck? I've been using computers since I was 3 and I touch type 100-120 WPM on keyboards like a bad mofo. Most people I've run into within the client-side IT field touch type--- people who don't are generally managers or people who don't give a shit.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

We also had this installed in the computer lab at the local community center where I went to daycare.

 

[Krauser Kat]

i grew up with aol aim. That baby was my typing wetnurse. All my skill came from learning how to type with that. I think its easier with the chiclet keyboards from apple. I had to relearn how to do it when i switched to standing desk because i was not used to the position of my arms.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

We were taught how to type in school but not really how to touch type specifically. I just learned it after spending 20998309834098342 hours playing PC games including various MMO's.

Now as long as I'm somewhat comfortable with the keyboard I type on I can touch type no problem.

 

[i_am_ben]

So, what's your WPM and Accuracy then?

I've never bothered to check. But my typing keeps up with my thought process so it's good enough.

I think the reason I've never taken the plunge to proceed to touch typing is because I hate pressing keys with my little fingers. It just feels very unnatural to me.

 

[TheLostBigBoss]

The worst thing is trying to touch type on someone else's keyboard.

Everything goes to shit so fast

I've never bothered to check. But my typing keeps up with my thought process so it's good enough.

I think the reason I've never taken the plunge to proceed to touch typing is because I hate pressing keys with my little fingers. It just feels very unnatural to me.

Left pinky is for SHIT/CAPS/CTRL, right pinky is for... well nothing really.

 

[Tal Shiar Agent]

My fingers are too long that trying to touch type on a normal keyboard is uncomfortable. I don't do the home row thing, but I can type without looking, it's sort of a hybrid between touch and pecking.

 

[Dryk]

They tried to drill it into me for years with typing classes at school and it never took. Then at some point I just transitioned from hunt and peck to touch typing without even noticing it. Also in my experience the ability is less rare than you'd think but more than you'd hope. In some circles I can freak people out by turning to talk to people while still typing. Being able to notice and correct typing errors without looking at the screen will get you weird looks too.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

I think its easier with the chiclet keyboards from apple.

I actually absolutely loathe chiclet keyboards and find that for me they are hugely inefficient. They always have gaps between the keys and there's limited feedback from the ones I have used.

 

[Raticus79]

The worst thing is trying to touch type on someone else's keyboard.

Everything goes to shit so fast

Any time I run into anyone in Canada with a bilingual keyboard layout, I'm doomed. I tend to hit that backslash key instead of enter since that's where I normally hit the enter key.

http://cobworks.ca/?p=255

Standard 101-key all day! (edit: apparently it's 104 with the Windows + context keys now)

 

[terrisus]

Why does not being a direct transfer of skills make them "garbage"? It's a new skill, but pretty much a necessary one these days. Deal with it.gif

Because the post I was replying to said:

Computer keyboarding was a class taught in my HS in the late 90s, and I had been using a computer most of my young life. I don't see how kids today would be any different in that requirement. Especially since so many are used to touch interfaces.

 

[Not Spaceghost]

Touch typing is surprisingly uncommon, I thought that in 2015 people just had used their computer enough that they would be used to it, considering how quick you see people text on their touch screens but apparently not.

I am 100% convinced my touch typing ability is directly related to how much I played MMOs, because I recall thinking to myself when I started playing WoW back in 2004 "I'm gonna have to learn the keyboard as well as I know a controller if I wanna get good"

At the office I would say that maybe 3 in 10 people can touch type fluidly without ever needing to look down.

That being said the last time I brought this up to a friend we deduced that cellphones and touch screens have some what made it harder for people to transition into touch typing because they've always got the keys in their face.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

Any time I run into anyone in Canada with a bilingual keyboard layout, I'm doomed. I tend to hit that backslash key instead of enter since that's where I normally hit the enter key.

I believe that's called ISO layout. Opposed to the ANSI used in the US.

http://deskthority.net/wiki/ANSI_vs_ISO

 

[ZackieChan]

Because the post I was replying to said:

Doesn't mean they are garbage in any way.

You've gone on record as not liking them. I know that you want the Blackberry to come back, etc. It's okay to be wrong

 

[Watevaman]

The worst thing is trying to touch type on someone else's keyboard.

Everything goes to shit so fast



Left pinky is for SHIT/CAPS/CTRL, right pinky is for... well nothing really.

Right pinky is used for P, backspace, enter, -, +, ?, and / for me.

 

[terrisus]

The worst thing is trying to touch type on someone else's keyboard.

Everything goes to shit so fast

On my old desktop, I had a keyboard like this:

I also use a trackball.

No one ever liked using my computer :þ

It's okay to be wrong

<3

 

[Deleted member 231381]

I never formally learnt to touch-type, but I can do it now out of habit. I'm a four fingers typer, though - index and middle finger.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

I also use a trackball.

No one ever liked using my computer :þ

Aw yeah, trackballs. I use one at work:

Crappy quality because it's from a junky iPad.

 

[Raticus79]

I have a keyboard that doesn't have any letters printed on its keys and it's pretty hilarious when people come over to my house and casually try to use my computer and are completely unable to do anything.

Ha, this would make for a pretty good Youtube video with all the reactions ranging from "nope" to the old pros who don't even notice.

 

[ersocaster]

I am actually the only person I know who can touch-type. I never felt that it was all that difficult, probably because I have been typing since I was like 7.

I took a quick test and got 499 CPM and 100WPM with 0 errors. I am faster/slower/more error prone depending on the keyboard though.

 

[TheLostBigBoss]

Right pinky is used for P, backspace, enter, -, +, ?, and / for me.

nope, crazy talk. I just move my right hand to get to the P with my ring finger.

 

[Deleted member 13876]

Just checked my WPM here;

http://typing-speed-test.aoeu.eu/?lang=en

Your score: 354 CPM (that is 71 WPM)

Was taught touch typing in elementary school, but I think my score back then was around 90 CPM, so actually starting to use a computer regularly later in life improved it quite a lot.

 

[dallow_bg]

This was taught to me in elementary school.

Paws Party y'all.

 

[yasu151]

Do kids not have Mavis Beacon around anymore?

Cheers! I had that before my parents introduced me to video games. I used to think them mean for tricking me at an earlier age, but that program worked wonders for me. Mavis Bacon Teaches Typing, in glorious black and orange, on a faded & burned-in monitor.

 

[terrisus]

Just checked my WPM here;

http://typing-speed-test.aoeu.eu/?lang=en

Your score: 354 CPM (that is 71 WPM)

Was taught touch typing in elementary school, but I think my score back then was around 90 CPM, so actually starting to use a computer regularly later in life improved it quite a lot.

Just gave that a quick run through - got 300CP/60WPM, but that's really a pretty bad test, since the highlighting of the word changes its size, and things shift around and occasionally even move to different lines.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

I have a keyboard that doesn't have any letters printed on its keys and it's pretty hilarious when people come over to my house and casually try to use my computer and are completely unable to do anything.

Haha I had the exact same scenario for years, a lot of my keys were just rubbed off after a lot of use.
My friends just couldn't handle it, even if I told them were the starting letters was, they'd just stumble over finding the next one.

 

[Rhomega Beta]

I was also taught touch typing in school. Also, because of my poor penmanship, I was encouraged to type more than other students.

 

[Shuggananas]

I never "learnt" it actively, I just picked it up after using a computer after so many years
Although for some precise stuff I sometimes look at the keyboard rather than the screen (namely javadoc, goddamn /** */)

 

[NoblesseOblige]

I was also taught touch typing in school. Also, because of my poor penmanship, I was encouraged to type more than other students.

That's actually what got my parents to save for an entire summer and buy a computer when I was young. I was embarrassed by my handwriting and kept refusing to turn in written assignments.

 

[Barzul]

I was never taught to touch type and in fact when I first moved to the US I had to look at the keyboard to type. I've made a lot of progress since then, but I'm still not the fastest. Video games definitely helped though. I do enjoy the increased efficiency of not having to glance at the keyboard all the time.

 

[Deleted member 231381]

Just checked my WPM here;

http://typing-speed-test.aoeu.eu/?lang=en

Your score: 354 CPM (that is 71 WPM)

Was taught touch typing in elementary school, but I think my score back then was around 90 CPM, so actually starting to use a computer regularly later in life improved it quite a lot.

Aww yeah, 104 WPM. Not bad for a four-fingers typer.

 

[NervousXtian]

I go anywhere from 70-100 WPM.

It's really about focus at that point. I just ran the test and had 82 WPM, and that's on my shitty Lenovo laptop keyboard.. I can type faster on a legit fullsize.

 

[Lonestar]

I was taught touch typing in college. Think there was a word processing class somewhere in there.

nope, crazy talk. I just move my right hand to get to the P with my ring finger.

Right pinky seems to mostly be for the enter button to me, P is ring finger as well. So is the period and slash.

 

[SlickShoes]

So I work IT in a school district and probably have to assist at least a dozen different people on any given day. These range from teachers to PhD level Psychologists and Speech pathologists, to business administrators, to the occasional student (I work primarily in an admin building). Regardless of their level of computer competency I notice very few people actually are touch typing. I don't mean having to glance down once to orient one's hands to the keys (though really they shouldn't require that either), but instead people who have to stare at their keyboard as they type. I was under the impression touch typing was sort of taught everywhere. I know it was drilled into me throughout grade school.

So GAF, is the teaching of touch typing just not as common as I thought? Or do people just abandon it after school? Or am I just a freak who spent too much time with MMOs in my youth so I can efficiently touch type like it's nobody's business?

Edit: For those confused, touch typing is just typing without the use of sight. It doesn't necessary mean using the standard ASDF JKL; home row.

I work in IT and support a lot of the same people as you, I can easily type without looking at the keyboard. Other people from 1st year Uni students to amazing professors are less than clueless about all things IT.

I learned nothing about computers in High School in the late 90's, didn't learn to type or anything. Went to Uni to do computing and picked up bits and pieces.

I have a weird theory that there are people 35+ that didn't grow up with the abundance of computers so know nothing, then there was about a 10 year period maybe where people who are now 25-35 grew up with computers and got used to tinkering with them even a little bit. Everyone below 25 unless they are an enthusiast has grown up with Iphones and Ipads, computers that are so small you send them back to be fixed and never open them up.

I always thought the kids coming through my work would at one point know more about IT than me but the main thing I see is that these young folk just have a tantrum when something doesn't work instead of trying to fix it.

 

[Shuggananas]

Your score: 586 CPM (that is 117 WPM)
In reality, you typed 601 CPM, but you made 2 mistakes (out of 110 words), which were not counted in the corrected scores.

I'm typing on an AZERTY keyboard (am french) so it may not be really representative (could be faster with french words I guess)
That's on my work keyboard too, not really a great keyboard

 

[Krejlooc]

Among people 40+ years old? Yes

Among people 30 and under? No that much.

Source: The best sort of evidence - anecdotal

 

[Krejlooc]

Actually, thinking a bit more about this, maybe about a month ago, one of my friends was in town hanging out at my place for a few days, and he was going through my steam library and I told him to try Typing of the Dead.

He acted like he was repulsed. As he watched me play, he was like "How can you possibly like this game? Typing reminds me of old homework."

It surprised me. I always thought that game was crazy fun as it challenges your typing skill. Thats when he told me he didn't really know how to type. This guy has had computers around him basically his whole life.

 

[gblues]

every nerd worth their weight in atoms can touch type > 120 w / m

Worth their mass in atoms, you mean.

Spoiler

I'm compensating for my sub-120 wpm typing speed.

In seriousness, I learned it in high school in Benson's now-long-gone Apple IIe lab.