Typing Skills

[Lady tehMa]

In another thread alanjh posted this:

I just happened upon this today.



I am sorry if it is off topic.

And I thought it was really neat.

Does anyone else have experience on these beasts?

My folks had an old Royal for the longest time. I remember the "floating caps" issue, it was such a pain. I remember fighting to change the ribbon and fussing over mistakes.

In high school I honed my keyboarding skills on an IBM Selectric - those make you feel you were typing quickly, so responsive! Having the built-in correction tape was simply awesome.

So much has changed, though. You don't need a powerful keystroke anymore - that's more of a bad habit now than a plus.

There are different types of keyboards for computers, actually. And I'm not talking about layout. Most (if not all) of us use the standard QWERTY keyboard. But what are your keys like? Most computers come with a membrane-mechanical hybrid keyboard. https://www.daskeyboard.com/blog/what-is-a-mechanical-keyboard/

You probably don't have a mechanical keyboard because they tend to be more expensive. I got one for Christmas last year (Razer Ornata Chroma https://www.razer.com/ca-en/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-ornata-chroma) and it is SO much better than the standard. Far more responsive, and durable. Louder though. It might drive anyone used to the quieter keyboards completely up the wall. It might seem like a bit of a waste to some because I'm not a gamer. But I really enjoy using it.

I don't think I'm as accurate as I used to be, before computers. I do know I am considerably faster though. I guess that's the tradeoff with the ability to backspace and fix things or the reliance on spellcheck.

I'm interested in hearing about your keyboard preferences and your memories . . .

[alanjh595]

I had access to a portable machine when I was very young. It weighed as much as car battery today. (Corrona?) I did not have "white out", nor a correcter ribbon. If I made a mistake, I either had to back and double strike or start all over again to get a clean page. It would have been faster to hand-write it.

Here is a copy of one of my science class reports written on that very machine.

I am willing to bet that my stalker will use this against me sometime in the future.

[Bsuds]

I learned how to type on a manual like that. My Teacher's name was Mr. Keyes. lol

The final exam I did 80WPM. Now I H&P.

[GordonH]

I only use my index fingers, it works for me.

[Bsuds]

I only use my index fingers, it works for me.

Sometimes when replying to certain posters I type with my middle fingers.

[GordonH]

I only use my index fingers, it works for me.

Sometimes when replying to certain posters I type with my middle fingers.

Hey if worked for Pierre, it should work for anyone. lol

[Hurtlander]

I had to take typing lessons on one of those old manual typewriters, in grade ten we got to use the IBM selectrics... but back in those days we weren’t allowed to use calculators in math class, it was considered cheating.

[kgcayenne]

The first typewriter I used was my mom’s electric, later-on she bought one that had a small screen where you could read two lines at a time and it saved to a floppy disk. I wrote a screenplay on that thing with six finger typing.

I didn’t learn to type until I was almost 30. Most of the girls in my grade took typing, I didn’t. It wasn’t necessary like it is now. Our reports and essays were all due in handwriting with no liquid paper allowed. I’m certainly not a great typist, but daayyyyum as I get older, I find that if my hands are cold, my typos are amusing.

[oneh2obabe]

^^^Lucky you, we had the old manuals ... Selectric didn't make an appearance in the high school I attended until after graduation. Passing mark was 60wpm - I hit 93.

Was used to a really old manual at home as I was the one elected to type on blueprints and shop drawings for dad. This is the beast.

[flamingfingers]

Nine-finger typing provided me with skilled work - learned on a Royal manual, progressed to IBM Selectric with carbon ribbon, whiteout then on to optical view processor and then to true computer with lookup, autofill. Mind, the technology was secondary to the niche knowledge I possessed. But it was fun using the advancing technology.

[kgcayenne]

Beautiful photo.

[Lady tehMa]

Some of you are seriously hardcore typists!

I remember when I came here to go to college I needed 30wpm to make it into the class, I was so pleased I "beat" with 32wpm!

[dirtybiker]

I only use my index fingers, it works for me.

Not sure why, I wrap my thumbs around my index fingers while typing.

I still have a couple old hard-stroke machines from a bygone era.

My wrists always seemed to be in splints during mandatory typing class
in school.

Got my credit through perfect attendance.

[oneh2obabe]

Some of you are seriously hardcore typists!

Worked for me ... remember when the office went high tech and had this sucker installed.

Rep had all the admin assistants in the office try it out and informed everyone I couldn't use the machine - I was too fast and the machine couldn't keep up - messages would be garbled at the other end.

[Fancy]

I remember the old beasts - did all my high school papers on one of them.