Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

[gerbi7]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

When I first started typing, which was in... first grade I think... I realized that I could type alot faster using both hands, and using home row.

I never used index typing, so homerow feels completely natural for me.

As for everything else, I've developed specific hand setups for them.

For playing BZ flag, the tab and space keys were the only important keys, so I have middle finger on tab, and thumb on the spacebar. I can actually swing right over to homerow without moving my thumb in that setup, probably picked up from in-game typing.
For starcraft, I have middle finger on tab, left finger on a, thumb on spacebar, which I probably picked up from BZ flag's similarity.
For first person shooters shift-a-w-d feels like home.

My left thumb doesn't have to move switching any of these setups either.

[UberMario]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I did take all those typing classes, yet I never once used the left shift key regularly until I started to learn Dvorak. All right shift for me. Oh, and I use the typical home-row setup.

--Guido

http://andy.mikee385.com

I think the reason I use my left hand is because its my dominating hand. sometimes i just type with it when im too lazy to take my right hand off the mouse or whatever.

Edit: Left hand for the shift key.

[Mystik3345]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

ive been using computers since i was 7, always just jabbed with my index fingers until about 4-5 years ago when i forced myself to learn to type properly. Now i can do about 250wpm regularly. at first, i could do 40-50 and then progressively higher, and now can reach over 300 if im trying.

[xCavemaNx]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

all i used to get better typing was mavis beacon.

[Hr2]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I only use the right hand shift key generally, my biggest problem with typing isn't not knowing which keys to press, I just stop thinking about what I'm trying to type in mid sentance and end up slowing down a whole lot. I type at an average speed, 60-70WPM I think, I honestly don't want to work up to being faster. People have told me to switch to Dvorak to type faster, but too much work for too little gain.

[zippaduder50000]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I use standard home row and after playing lots of CS, I find that my left pinky has somewhat more of a reach than my right. It can reach the CTRL key very easily. and for shifting, if the letter is typed with my left, I press shift with the right and vice versa.

[flamingspinach]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

ive been using computers since i was 7, always just jabbed with my index fingers until about 4-5 years ago when i forced myself to learn to type properly. Now i can do about 250wpm regularly. at first, i could do 40-50 and then progressively higher, and now can reach over 300 if im trying.

rofl yeah right

The world record for typing speed was 212 WPM, set by Barbara Blackburn, touch typign on Dvorak. And even that was just short-term "sprint" typing. If you're really that fast you should apply for the Guinness Book of World Records :/

As for me, I've always used the home row technique so it's natural for me. However I only use my left hand for both shift and spacebar, even if it's slightly awkward (like "A" or """ or ":" on Dvorak). My left hand seems to be more "grounded" to the keyboard, I guess - my right hand sort of floats in the air above the keys but usually my left wrist is touching the desk... maybe it's because back when I used to play ZSNES a ton I used to keep my left hand with thumb on spacebar, index finger on d, middle finger on s, ring finger on a, and little finger on tab... haha. That way I could reach up with my little finger for a speed boost ("`" is ZSNES's frameskip key) or reach left with my thumb to get a quick alt+tab if someone walked into the room - this was in middle school, I probably would have been yelled at for playing games when I was supposed to be doing homework, lol 8)

-fs

[Hr2]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

When I'm typing fast, I like to sit up really straight, not look at the screen, and keep my hands elevated above the keyboard. I don't know if it actually makes me type faster but it sure as hell feels like it.

[Lightknight924]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I type with my middle fingers only. I've used a keyboard enough to know where to go without looking.

[lord_carbo]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I did take all those typing classes, yet I never once used the left shift key regularly until I started to learn Dvorak. All right shift for me. Oh, and I use the typical home-row setup.

--Guido

http://andy.mikee385.com

Yeah, I hardly use the left shift key, either. At one point today I had my hand on the mouse and I was trying to type with only my left hand, and I tried to hold the right shift key and press "a", all the way on the other side of the keyboard.

It's just that the keys that our left pinky finger uses are hardly ever used except the shift key.

[dascookieman]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I also have a weird typing-stance or whatever you're supposed to call it. I'm so used to chatting that my left hand is practically doing all my typing. My left hand is handling everything from UJM and the left side of those three. My right hand is always in the other corner, prepared to hit shift, enter or backspace.
I tried having my hands in the position you're supposed to have them but I was of course very bad at it. It became too annoying having to press backspace all the time since I couldn't hit the right buttons and it was such a long way to backspace so I ditched that project.