h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I learned to type about 23 years ago (blimey, how old does that make me? Don't answer that).

I was a bit handy at it, and finished my RSA stage 1 with half hour to spare.

However, we learnt on good old fashioned typewriters (blimey, how old does that make me? Don't...) so I was always a bit slack with using the little fingers, particularly for holding down the shift key.

Slowly over the years my typing has gone totally to pot. I blame computers and the Ctrl-Alt-Shift key combinations, and the Windows key, and the cursor keys, and the numeric keypad, etc, etc. But then, a bad workman always blames his tools.

A few weeks ago I decided to re-learn. I started by typing 'y' with my right hand again (in fact I was getting as far across as 'o' with my left hand sometimes ). Then I concentrated on using little fingers for 'q' 'a' 'z' (you really wouldn't believe how much I use 'q' in my line of work). In the last couple of days I've been typing 'p' and '/' with my little finger again.

There's been a fair amount of pain involved (mental, and also some RSI in my right hand).


It seems to be paying off though. Just a couple of minutes ago I rattled out a posting and noticed I was using mostly the right keys _and_ I was not far off my previously quick-but-incorrect speed.

I'm sitting here now, typing away and feeling quite pleased with myself.



Paff

Note to self: must start using the correct fingers for the '<' and '>' on those smileys.

Mavis Beacon. But I never got the hang of numbers. I never look at the keyboard (unless I do numbers or get my fingers in the wrong place) and if I really concentrate I don't have to look at the screen either.

Lets' have a go not looking at the screen. Freaks someo people out when I show them this. Of course looks more impressive if I don't get any typos...

hmmm, not too hideous. Thanks Mavis!

*not looking at keyboard or screen either*

The reason I decided to re-learn was because I sat with someone a few weeks ago who constantly would look elsewhere whilst typing, and I thoug "I must have me some of that!"

My dad used to do it too, and he could also touch-type in Greek and Russian from what I remember.

*looks back*
Blimey, that was better than I expected!

I've never heard of Mavis Beacon before.

I'm not sure where I heard of her, but it was a nice and simple way of learning.

I was stunned to realise that ICT lessons at school don't include keyboard skills, so when J's not looking I will be inflicting some home lessons on him.

Your typing is better than mine.

>>Your typing is better than mine.<<

I don't know about that. I tried these earlier. It went severely down hill by the last one:

the vcat sat on the mat
jackdaws love my big spinx of qwartz
the qwicl vrown fox jumps over the ;azy doh


As for keyboard lessons at school, yes I'm surprised too. The first thing kids get taught in primary school is to read and write. They should be taught to type fairly early on too. I'd be tempted to put it in with the English syllabus rather than ICT too, as needing keyboard skills nowadays is a fairly mainstream thing. (Also, I don't know that I want Mr Hunt-n-Peck ICT tutor, teaching my kids to use a keyboard ).

Oh, and good plan teaching J yourself.

I am here you know.

Trust me Dialga (J), you'll thank your mum if you learn to type properly. It's the most useful thing, and I'm sure it's easier if you learn young.

Have you got a Playstation or Gameboy, or whatever? You know when you get the hang of playing a new game, and you are pressing all the right buttons without thinking? Imagine if you could type like that!

Tch, he gets everywhere!