I’m in my forties, I’m a technical writer and a programmer… and I can’t touch type. It is really frustrating having to check the keyboard even for simple things like Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V. I just have no feel for where the keyboard letalone the keys are… Any suggestions for ways I can become a fluent typist?
Unfortunately like anything else, you are just going to have to learn via force. Try not to look at the keyboard and work off feedback on the screen.
For the record, a good keyboard will also aid you when doing this, flusher keys help A LOT.
Hi there! I recommend using TypeRacer, it helped me get my WPM up from 80wpm to 120wpm (averaging at about 110-125 wpm). It’s pretty nice. 
The tests there are pretty good, but if you want something different there’s also 10FastFingers, although I don’t like it as much.
A lot of it just comes with practice. I’ve taken nearly 800 tests on that site and I still fumble up sometimes. These tests are good to take between work breaks, and I occasionally go through one hour sessions if I’m that bored
The keyboard you have also makes an impact on how you type. I’m a huge advocate of mechanical keyboards and have even
written a guide for them on this forum, but they won’t magically improve your typing speed. They’re comfortable to use and make a hell of a great hobby, but they aren’t going to turn you into a pro instantly.
CTRL+C and CTRL+V (or CMD+C and CMD+V) are really easy to master. Always use your pinky for control and your index finger to ‘scan’ for which key you’re going to press. After enough practice you won’t have to look.
Getting a keyboard with blank keycaps also helps. The most popular of these is the Das keyboard, but you can also order custom keycaps if you don’t feel like spending the money on an entirely new board.
- Jev
I am just lacking in coordination… I’ve had decades of practice already and nothing to show for it. ???
I’ll try the websites you suggest…
TypeRacer has reduced my difficulty to beginner after I achieved 20wpm with quite a bit of peaking at the keyboard.
I should really do this too, currently my typing is of a decent speed, and I don’t have to look at the keyboard for everything, but it’s nowhere near legitimate touch typing.
As I’m also trying to become proficient with emacs, being able to properly type would put me that much closer to becoming a wizard.
Apparently someone on TypeRacer is already a wizard:
-xKµkKain-x (tsvukk) 214 wpm 2 minutes ago :clue:
I think as long as you don’t have to:
- look for the edit button
- double click the edit button
- get angry when the edit menu closes
- click the edit button again
- peer over your glasses at the edit menu
- get mad when you can’t find the copy button
- finally find the copy button
- double click the copy button
- start looking for the edit menu again
- double click the edit menu
…you’re in pretty good shape.
It’s a bot.
- Jev
I figured as much, but if you have a bot, why not go all out? 214 seems modest in that case.
Play a lot of RPG’s , not single player thought multiplayer that require a lot of typing , that’s how I learn’t to do it. A lot more fun than spending hours attempting to learn how to do it , basically learn how to type fast whilst looking at the keyboard then slowly try to avoid it see what happens with it.
I learned via a class in high school, but you might also try some basic classes in your local area if all else fails. Or even use one of those old typing programs like Mavis Beacon.
Way back in middle school, I remember using http://www.typingweb.com/typingtutor/, which has these random typing games that really force you to practice. Learned to touch type in like 10 days. Not kidding.