How long did it take you to learn how to type?

[Chubroach]

Believe it or not, I am a poor typist. About 35 WPM looking at the keys using one finger from each hand.

My boss at work has given me more and more work that involves reading off a document and then typing it on the computer. The hunt and peck approach of typing is not going to make it any more. I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO TYPE!

I got a CDROM that will teach me how to type using all my fingers and without looking at the keys. With my average intelligence how long will it take me to learn how to type maybe 50 WPM? How long did it take you to learn? What is a good typing speed?

Any advice on the best ways to learn how to type?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Originally posted by Chubroach
Any advice on the best ways to learn how to type?

<font color=navy>Practice Practice Practice

 

[mudnuri]

I took typing in High School, SO glad now that I paid attention, I type somewhere around 80 wpm...with about 95% accuracy....two hands, never look, except sometimes the difference between my laptop keyboard, and my desktop does throw me off, the way the keys are spaced apart etc.

Mavis Beacon is THE BEST typing teacher CD-ROM available IMO

Brandy

 

[Dan Murphy]

If you are typing as Bruce, it might be easier, a larger span of the hand, usually. If you are typing as Mary, a bit smaller span, usually.

 

[Loubon]

I"mn STll wrkin one itt mislf....

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

As I recall, one semester in HS typing class.

There's also a game at PopGames called Typer Shark that I use to keep my typing skills up and it's free (up to a point anyway).

Good luck.


TOV

 

[monarchsfan16]

One semester class last year. Mavis Beacon is a great program, and there are internet games that can help with typing skills too (and they're free)

 

[chell]

Originally posted by mudnuri
Mavis Beacon is THE BEST typing teacher CD-ROM available IMO

It is! I wanted to learn to type when I was in middle school and my dad gave me one of her programs because I wasn't making much progress on my own. It was such a wonderful learning tool.

 

[Nutsy]

I've no idea what my current speed is, but it used to be 55wpm.

I learnt in school & then did a Receptionst Course a couple of years later, as I 'd not managed to get a job that required tying.

 

[chell]

I don't remember how long it took me to learn to type. Make sure you practice! That will be what makes it for you.

 

[CindyKansas]

Also learned in High School. I can type around 85 wpm but it's not something I would want to do for a living. I don't like to sit for long periods of time. DD is a freshman in high school and they don't call it typing any more, its called WPA or word processing applications. She will take it for 18 weeks for 3 days a week. But Mary Jo is right. Practice, Practice, Practice.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
If you are typing as Bruce, it might be easier, a larger span of the hand, usually. If you are typing as Mary, a bit smaller span, usually.

Whatever.



My personal recommendation??? Find a friend you like to chat with and IM late into the night.

 

[KingKobra]

Originally posted by Boston Tea Party



Whatever.



My personal recommendation??? Find a friend you like to chat with and IM late into the night.

Thats how I learned. Only sometimes it's difficult to transfer from IM type to formal type.

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
If you are typing as Bruce, it might be easier, a larger span of the hand, usually. If you are typing as Mary, a bit smaller span, usually.

 

[denisem]

Took a year in HS and **35** years later, I type like a demon.

Seriously, like many things, it just gets better with practice.

(Cracked up over the IM remarks - I usta keep 4 or 5 going at a time... .

Denise < --- enjoys freakin' out the younger folks by never using the keypad for numbers - hey, most of my early jobs involved lotsa numbers (like VIN's) and am more comfortable typing them off the top row.

 

[Raysplus1]

I still can't type. I have to look at the keys and most of the time I use the one finger method.

 

[KimRaye]

Self taught and, lots of practice. Tried taking a course AFTER I taught myself and, I could never do it the "right" way.

 

[DocRafiki]

Originally posted by denisem
Denise < --- enjoys freakin' out the younger folks by never using the keypad for numbers - hey, most of my early jobs involved lotsa numbers (like VIN's) and am more comfortable typing them off the top row.

That is weird. That is one part that I have really let slip. I always mess up the numbers on the top row. But I thought I was the only person who actually used the keypad! I love that thing! Now, why does it have to be opposite from the phone keypad? They keep confusing me!

 

[Pat]

I took a typing class in high school and have never regretted it. I was a very fast and accurate typist. Since I don't work any more, I am not nearly as accurate.

I always use the keypad for my numbers and find I am much more accurate with it than with the numbers at the top of the keyboard.

 

[honeywolf7]

I learned in High School and type about 90 WPM.....I used to freak people out both in my data entry job and when I used the cash register in my retail jobs. (The funny thing is that I totally did not like the fact that we were required to take Typing and Computer in High School.)