typing tutor programs

cadalano · Post by **cadalano** » March 3, 2005, 5:54 pm

A friend of mine at work wants to learn how to type. Anyone know any good (and free) programs?

I can google them of course, but I'm looking for personal testimony!

Ebumar · Post by **Ebumar** » March 3, 2005, 5:57 pm

Mr Bacon · Post by **Mr Bacon** » March 3, 2005, 6:03 pm

Diae Soulmender · Post by **Diae Soulmender** » March 3, 2005, 6:21 pm

Mavis Beacon - Just google it.

Im told this is one of the best teachers there is.

Truant · Post by **Truant** » March 3, 2005, 6:52 pm

Diae Soulmender wrote:Mavis Beacon - Just google it.

Im told this is one of the best teachers there is.

I used this program, when I was like 9.

Honestly, it's a pretty good teacher.

Ebumar · Post by **Ebumar** » March 3, 2005, 6:57 pm

AOL is what I used to learn how to type. I type on average 120wpm now...

Llaffer · Post by **Llaffer** » March 3, 2005, 7:10 pm

I learned the basics on an old typing tutor on an Apple ][ - then pretty much did the rest on my own when I did called BBSs in the late 80s-early 90s (and ran my own BBS for 4 years from '92 - '96).

Fash · Post by **Fash** » March 3, 2005, 7:20 pm

I learned by typing basic programs into a TI-99 back in.. oh.... 1985.

I despise the home-row method and believe it is what leads to carpal tunnel. I use both hands and all fingers... I know where the keys are, and whatever finger is convenient gets it. I type over 120wpm, crack my knuckles, and 20 years later my hands are still perfect.

Hesten · Post by **Hesten** » March 3, 2005, 8:08 pm

Ebumar wrote:AOL is what I used to learn how to type. I type on average 120wpm now...

Well, looking at the average AOL user (hell, were talking about a company that had what was it, 50K users that payed AOL but had no internet connection

), isnt 120 wpm rather bad. I mean, its not hard to type lol, l33t, suxxor, rofl

Ebumar · Post by **Ebumar** » March 3, 2005, 8:31 pm

Hesten wrote:
Ebumar wrote:AOL is what I used to learn how to type. I type on average 120wpm now...
Well, looking at the average AOL user (hell, were talking about a company that had what was it, 50K users that payed AOL but had no internet connection ), isnt 120 wpm rather bad. I mean, its not hard to type lol, l33t, suxxor, rofl

The thing is - this was back when I was probably... 9, 10? I don't really remember, as I'm 20 now.

MooZilla · Post by **MooZilla** » March 3, 2005, 9:16 pm

Quake 3. Type fast or die.

Clatis · Post by **Clatis** » March 3, 2005, 10:24 pm

use the kindergarten method of puttin the piece of paper over your hands to help memorize the keys

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » March 4, 2005, 2:14 am

Ebumar wrote:AOL is what I used to learn how to type. I type on average 120wpm now...

Maybe over short sentences, but that's near impossible over long passages.

Drinsic Darkwood · Post by **Drinsic Darkwood** » March 4, 2005, 4:34 am

Clatis wrote:use the kindergarten method of puttin the piece of paper over your hands to help memorize the keys

Playing EQ or any other MMO is a good way to wean yourself off that habit - it would be extremely problematic to have to take your gaze away from the screen to type and still play adequately.

Thess · Post by **Thess** » March 4, 2005, 4:36 am

Rellix wrote:EQ

I agree! Having to be able to type something to someone in a certain time limit does wonders for your typing!

Thess · Post by **Thess** » March 4, 2005, 4:38 am

Ebumar wrote:
Hesten wrote:
Ebumar wrote:AOL is what I used to learn how to type. I type on average 120wpm now...
Well, looking at the average AOL user (hell, were talking about a company that had what was it, 50K users that payed AOL but had no internet connection ), isnt 120 wpm rather bad. I mean, its not hard to type lol, l33t, suxxor, rofl
The thing is - this was back when I was probably... 9, 10? I don't really remember, as I'm 20 now.

I can type 120 wpm... but I do not always type as quickly as I can basically... since it's not always necessary. So if on average you type 120 wpm? What do you type when typing fast, or angry!?

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 4, 2005, 5:10 am

You've got to type faster but also more accuratley when you cyber. Nothing ruins the mood more than a typo.

cyber > quick raid /tells for learning to type quickly and accurately. For raids, you can make macros but it would be pretty lame to make a cyber macro! Drolgin told me this!

More on topic, it's sad that we're stuck with the old typewriter keyboard layout that was specifically designed to slow you down so the mechanical typewriter strike thingies wouldn't jam.

It's too late for most of us to relearn a new keyset but people should teach their kids that new faster key layout.

Hesten · Post by **Hesten** » March 4, 2005, 5:39 am

You could download and play The Typing of the Dead.

http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=4973

MooZilla · Post by **MooZilla** » March 4, 2005, 7:52 pm

Winnow wrote:You've got to type faster but also more accuratley when you cyber. Nothing ruins the mood more than a typo.

cyber > quick raid /tells for learning to type quickly and accurately. For raids, you can make macros but it would be pretty lame to make a cyber macro! Drolgin told me this!

More on topic, it's sad that we're stuck with the old typewriter keyboard layout that was specifically designed to slow you down so the mechanical typewriter strike thingies wouldn't jam.

It's too late for most of us to relearn a new keyset but people should teach their kids that new faster key layout.

what new key layout?

edit: this?

http://www.mwbrooks.com/dvorak/

Lohrno · Post by **Lohrno** » March 4, 2005, 8:27 pm

Winnow wrote:You've got to type faster but also more accuratley when you cyber. Nothing ruins the mood more than a typo.

cyber > quick raid /tells for learning to type quickly and accurately. For raids, you can make macros but it would be pretty lame to make a cyber macro! Drolgin told me this!

Ruins the mood for Drolgin?

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » March 7, 2005, 1:49 pm

Old Infocom games (Zork etc...), text only - I think you can DL some of them now for free

Marb