Do you know how to type?

Question

I cannot type worth beans. I grew up before the PC was invented. There was no keyboarding class. I get frustrated sometimes because I have to go back and correct all my mistakes.

I work in IT and I always say that I would be a lot better at my job id I could type.

WhiteSteve · Accepted Answer

Yes. I’m kind of rusty, I don’t use a keyboard much anymore. But in 7th and 8th grade I had to take a class called “Occupational Exploration”, and we learned stuff like balancing a checkbook (still have yet to need to do that in modern times, haha), and probably most importantly, typing.

I’m probably one of the last humans to learn to type on a typewriter, lmao. But the middle line, left/right alternating cadence is burned into my brain forever. “F-j-d-k-s-L-a-semicolon.” Left pointer, F; right pointer, j. Left middle, d; right middle, k. Left ring, s; right ring, L. Left pinky, a; right pinky, semicolon.

That’s the baseline, then it’s just various “finger-reaches” in other directions. It becomes automatic.

At this point, I could maybe give you 50 words a minute, as I’d make mistakes I’d need to correct. But in middle and high school, when it was fresh to me, I think I could probably do like 80 words a minute. I think it was something like that anyway. I feel like 100 words per minute was some milestone we all tried to hit, and I don’t feel like I got there, but was somewhere in the “very good” range.

Lliam · Accepted Answer

Yes. My mom suggested that I take a typing class at the public junior high in the summer after 7th grade. She thought it would be a valuable skill if I got drafted in a few years. She thought I might get a clerical job in the military instead of going off to combat. That was during the Vietnam war.

As it turned out, they ended the draft the year I became eligible.

But I had learned how to type and I never forgot.

I owned a portable Underwood typewriter for decades.
Once computers came out, my typing skills came in handy when writing reports on my claims assignments at work. It was a relief not to have to hand write those reports anymore. And it was a lot quicker.

I used my typing skills to write this reply to your question. 😎

sage2021 · Accepted Answer

I learned to type in mandatory typing class in high school. But I got tired of her hitting me in my back with her yardstick in my back to sit up straight while typing.

So when I graduated I had to get a job and have great typing skills.

My mom bought me an electric typewriter from Sears in high school. So I sat at my kitchen table 8 hours a day and practiced from real typing books.

It paid off and I was passing all of my typing tests! YAY!

FreyaRed · Accepted Answer

We had typing and computer knowledge in school. Writing a letter in word/open office write or making a calculation in excel/open office calc shouldn't be a problem for my generation.

Advisor Smith · Accepted Answer

Typing is an essential skill, especially in IT. Practicing with typing software can boost speed and accuracy. Consider online courses to develop your skills. I learned that consistency is key. By dedicating a few minutes daily, you can see significant improvement over time. Patience and practice will enhance your efficiency and confidence. Remember, it's never too late to learn and grow!

IndianPhotoAcademy · Answer

In school, I learned how to type on a typewriter, and now it comes naturally to me. I'm a little rusty, but I once hit about 80 wpm. The home-row finger positions still feel instinctive even after decades. It's a skill that you surprisingly remember.

AviatorTom · Answer

I CAN type but I'm not too good at it. I have fat fingers, sometimes hit keys out of sequence, and auto-correct often completely changes what I type.

Just about every time, after typing something, I go back over it and make at least one correction. Like I just did in this post. 😎

SotiCoto · Answer

I played the piano for 10 years. I've spent 30 years of my life typing on keyboards and broken a fair few of them because I apply too much force (about the force required to play piano keys). I can touch-type and my typing speed used to be about 120wpm but has gone down since I started getting arthritis... though not to the level where I'm concerned about it. I can still type a lot faster than I can write.
So yeah. I prefer to type rather than talk, honestly.

msc545 · Answer

I used to not really be able to type very much at all and it was very difficult for me. However, over a period of about 2 weeks about 5 years ago, my typing became more natural and easier for no apparent reason. I can now type about 60 words per minute with one or two errors with no trouble at all. I have no idea why this change occurred but I welcome it and I'm looking forward to my typing. I'm getting even faster which it appears to be doing. Oddly enough, I have no idea why but I I'm glad this is happening.

midnightmoon05 · Answer

Yes I took a typing class in HS. I got pretty good at it. But can’t recall how many words per m. We used to try to compete with one another for fun.

slatyb · Answer

Just put your hands on the home row and keep them there. You will learn very quickly. You don't need a class. Just put one index finger on F and the other one on J.

Left hand little finger: QAZ; ring finger WSX; middle finger EDC; index finger RFVTGB
Right hand index finger: YHNUJM; middle finger IK comma; ring finger OL period; little finger P semicolon slash.

Or just hunt and peck. You will get faster. I knew a guy who could type 80wpm with two fingers.

WonderingManII · Answer

How can one work in IT and not know how to type? I CAN type but I can't land an IT job.

RavVid · Answer

I work in IT and can't type either. In reality much of the time is spent thinking so typing fast doesn't make you more productive. :) Thinking faster can :)

Beckybooboo · Answer

96 words a minute with zero errors (usually)😉 I was taking typing classes in middle school.

TrueConfection · Answer

Yes! I used to type over 90wpm, but now I can barely eke out 60. There are lots of free learn-to-type programs online.

Simslover92 · Answer

Yep. I can type pretty fast. Started learning back in middle school and even though I don't type as much as I used to, I can still do about 70-75 wpm.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

I can type but not in the manner that is taught in classes. It is either two-finger or four-finger typing.

NordicInScandinavia · Answer

Yes I can.  During elementary and middle school, we had typing classes - I'm a quick and efficient typer.

Massageman · Answer

By the time I was 9-10, I was typing on my mom's Underwood #5- great exercise for the wrists!!! I took a Gregg Notehand (kind of a short cut Gregg shorthand)/Typing course in High School, but already knew how to type, so was just building speed. Depending on the content I can easily cruise at about 40 wpm but push to close to 60-70 wpm if I need to for short periods.

jazzy34 · Answer

Yes I do. It's literally a requirement for my job, lol. Anyway, yes. I took typing class my senior year of high school. :)

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

Yes, at the approximate speed of 90 words per minute (more-or-less).

dustybiker2 · Answer

Practice by writing a daily journal. That's how I perfected it. No peaking.

bingbongbangbung · Answer

I can type without even looking at the keyboard, although this doesn't apply for punctuation and anything else requiring the shift key to work.

purplepoppy · Answer

I'm pretty quick with two fingers but I can't type properly

DryGermanGuy · Answer

„I can hold my own.“  - Lt. Pete Mitchell, Top Gun

InknKink · Answer

There actually were typing classes when you were a kid. In the 70/80s it was common practice to have a typewriting class in high school. I don't know how you missed it.

ProbablyClueless · Answer

I do. Actually, one thing my mom insisted on when I was young was having a program on our computer called Mavis Beacon.

I never got particularly good at it, but I’ve developed the muscles fairly well.

Wise4myage · Answer

Yes, but it took me quite awhile to get good at it.

american_person · Answer

I can touch type, but not as quickly as I would like.

DrPepper12 · Answer

Kinda. 30-40 wpm. It's a no longer necessary skill like cursive writing.

Wiredone · Answer

I think i can type maybe 10 words a minute. Im a seek and peck type of guy

queenofcardio · Answer

Yeah I think I can do 36 words per minute

DishLady · Answer

Yeah, pretty fast.

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

No, and one Grade Nine class required boys and girls to type.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes, but slowly.

Pterodon · Answer

Nope. Never learned

bananathunder · Answer

noop

Do you know how to type?

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