Should i learn to type homerow

[valkyrix]

Hi Deskthority

up to now ive always typed with a way ive made up by playing cs and mmo's. i learnt by having to type non 'w' words with my right hand jumping about the place and my left hand anchored and typing the off letter. this was just so i could type sentences or quick names without stopping running.

fast forward many years later and now ive typed like this forever. I get about 120 on typeracer random texts on a good day and just over 100 on a back day, though ive used typeracer for about 6 years now. I feel like its impossible for me to get any faster due to the accuracy though, i spend half the time going back to fix mistakes and bashing the backspace whenever there is a symbol included, which on typeracer is most words haha. Probably due to accuracy not being important when im typing in games and just want to send something as fast as possible. It seems like the symbol keys are the worst, specifically the ' key. it also looks pretty weird when typing and ive never seen anyone else type like this

TLDR
i get 120wpm on typracer +-10 but my right hand jumps around so much with my 4 fingers mostly anchored on wasd that i use my thumbs for half the bottom row ("xcv" and "nm,./" keys)
anyway, i was wondering whether you think i should learn to type the proper way with the homerow or not, maybe its too late or that i wont see much improvement. idk you guys are the experts, would love some advice.

~Val

[Orpheo]

If you can type that fast with such a particular hand technique you will be very proficient if you learn to type the right way. Many tutorial on the web it seems, to begin. Everyday practice makes perfect. I learn with a DOS program called PCTAP like 25 years ago. Try to find a real good learning method.

[valkyrix]

Thanks, i downloaded keyblaze to will try and learn the homerow.
by forcing myself to use the homerow atm i get about 25wpm haha, need to start somewhere i guess

[codemonkeymike]

I have a coworker who types 100wpm but is slamming each key he presses. It sounds like bubble wrap popping even on an apple scissor switches. He too doesn't have his fingers on the home row, but has no issues typing or navigating his editor. I feel that if you are having issues it is time to change, if you are not having issues like my coworker then don't change. I had issues with my wrists so I went the drastic step to learn to touch type, then lean to use an ergodox, then learn colemak, then learn a new symbol layout with all the symbols under the home row or one key away. I had to do this or I would eventually be crippled by RSI.

[valkyrix]

as a programmer and linux guy i tend to type allot, however i do sometimes get sore wrists after long periods of time. I will do my best to switch. atm getting 30 wpm and i feel like a snail typing this reply out

i wonder how long it will take to learn to type as fast as i could before using this method

thanks for replies guys

[codemonkeymike]

I found it took me about 3-4 months to get pretty close to my normal typing speed after first learning how to touch type. I had a Das Ultimate (The on with no legends printed on the keys) so I was forced to not look at my fingers as well.

[//gainsborough]

IMO if you can type 120 WPM using your technique, why change? You'll have to put a lot of time into relearning how to type the "proper" way, and 120 WPM is already pretty far above what is considered average. I seem to have a similar typing technique as you, but maybe not as extreme in that the only "anchored" finger for me is left pinky on left shift. I thought about learning touch typing, but ultimately I decided I like the way that I type - I'm happy with my 95 WPM, haha. I don't really play computer games anymore, but I like that my years of playing MMOs had an influence on the way that I type - it's a piece of behavior I look at with nostalgia =)

"correct" typing doesn't exist, I think. It's a pretty subjective topic!

[codemonkeymike]

Well he did just say he gets sore wrists after long periods of typing. Touch typing helped me a bit with my RSI.

[Orpheo]

Typing the right way is better for the wrist and minimize RSI, it's not subjective jut objective. Every wrist cannot stand being injured IMHO. Better to learn now than when you are injured.

[//gainsborough]

How much better for the wrist is touch typing? I'm curious now.

I would think that the difference in wrist strain between touch typing and other forms of typing would certainly exist, but would be minimal. Posture, I would think, is what would aggravate RSI much more than the way one types - making sure wrists are not resting on something or making sure elbows are at 90 degrees - stuff like that is what I would think matters more than typing method. If someone is prone to RSI or wrist strain in general, it would seem that any form of typing would aggravate it. Might be better to do wrist exercises or take more frequent breaks during typing sessions.

I'm unsure though - maybe I'm just making excuses not to learn touch typing myself, haha. I also have pretty good wrists, though. Been playing the drums since I was very little, so my wrists have always been pretty strong/flexible.

To be clear, I'm not trying to discourage Valkyrix from learning touch typing! I was just trying to give my point of view on whether it would be worth it or not. But if touch typing is substantially more beneficial to the wrist than any other form, there might be a much more valid reason to learn it than I had originally thought.

[Orpheo]

I think the RSI from typing comes from the nerves in the hands and wrist. You have an advantage having strong drummer wrist.
Carpal tunnel syndrome comes from compression on the bottom of the palm, typical of those who type without proper technique. By touch typing wrists floating in the air you avoid this disastrous disease.