[GreenKeys] Typing Instruction

Tue Nov 29 19:30:05 EST 2022

Good story, remind me of a story of my own. I started using computers (age 13) really before schoolwork required me to use a typewriter for reports. By the time I had to write reports, I did them on a home computer. In high school they offered touch typing classes. I never learned the "official" method of touch typing, but I created my own method out of necessity and thousands of hours in front of a computer doing programming and other things. I could easily do 40+WPM and I thought I could get an "A" in the class so I should sign up for it. But the teacher said they wouldn't accept just a speed achievement, I would have to learn the official touch-typing method. Needless to say, I never took the class hihi.

73 Eugene W2HX
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From: greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net <greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of John, W9DDD
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2022 6:50 PM
To: 1oldlens1 <1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com>; Jim Haynes <jhhaynes at earthlink.net>; Bruce Gentry via GreenKeys <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: Green Keys <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [GreenKeys] Typing Instruction

I had the option of taking the beginning typing course in high school.  My parents had purchased a Smith Corona portable electric typewriter.  I signed up. I can't recall if the criteria for passing was 30 or 35 wpm.  I may have been the only male in the class, but the school advisor at the time recommended it for anyone going on to college.  So there may have been males in other classes?  I don't really recall any discussions one way or the other as to whether it was appropriate.  I have no idea what the more advanced class required.  30 or so was impressive to any non-typist at the time.  Certainly good enough for a position where you were reception, typing, filing etc. in small office.

I doubt I could do 30 on any mechanical keyboard anymore since N-key rollover on the PC keyboard has ruined my rhythm.

It would be interesting to see if there are any videos showing someone typing rapidly on a teleprinter. Nick in particular I wana see the guy typing line speed on a 28KSR.

I once had the experience of talking to a high speed CW operator typing the incoming message on a mill and carrying on a conversation at the same time.  I suspect there was some part of it was formalized message formats which would allow the op to just get the changeable part of the message in their heads and the canned parts would be almost finger memory.  In any event still impressive. The op was W5FZC (fast zipper closer) In that era (1960), the various state police departments operated HF radio networks.

I didn't think of this at that time, but I've noticed that certain repeated character strings jump on the screen too easily.  E. G. "ing"  I cannot type Austin Texas without it coming out Austing. Or for years I was doing paper work for an organization called "TAPR".  To type the word "tape", I always have to backspace and type e in place of already typed r.

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You said "tomorrow" yesterday.

The above comments or recommendations are SWAG. Use at your own risk.

John, W9DDD
On 11/29/2022 3:17 PM, 1oldlens1 wrote:
I may have been misleading about minimum speed.  I meant the minimum that someone would have aimed at in a high-school or secretarial course to become employable in business, not specifically at Teletype Corp. In my day boys were not trained to touch type, considered girls work.  Ugh.
I taught myself to touch type because I realized it's power for someone who likes to write.  I practice every day (except on this one finger thing).  Mostly on a mechanical machine to keep my hands strong.  Not many realized when I was in high school just how important basic computer skills would become.

Sent from my Galaxy

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