[Janitor925]

As I sit here pecking this out with two fingers, I've contacted the Lifelong Learning College to ask if a course might be offered this winter/spring in keyboarding. I've always regretted not learning to type properly and was hoping a class was being offered. A Michelle Johnson of LLLC said that if there was enough interest they could provide one. If you're like me, or know someone who is, and would like to participate in a class, please email or phone them below.

Phone: (352) 753-3035 · Email: College@thevillages.com

[JoC]

If that doesn't work, buy a Mavis Beacon dvd. Until then, place your left pinkey on the A and follow with SDF on the other fingers. Then put your right pinky on the semicolon and follow with LKJ. Keep typing ASDF ;LKJ one after the other over and over again saying the letters to yourself. After that try w/left index finger RF and right index finger UJ while keeping the other fingers on the home keys, and keep doing that. I forget what I was taught next back in high school. Maybe someone else remembers. You hit the space bar with either thumb. It will be quite slow at first, but keep at it and you'll learn. A class would be best, but Mavis Beacon is good.

[KathieI]

JoC is right. As memory serves me, its the home keys that are most important. That is the A key over to the ; key and to reach all the other keys from those home keys. But its practice, practice, practice. The whole thing with typing is remembering the keyboard and visualizing where your fingers should move.

I know many people who type as fast as I do with only hunt and peck style. But practice a lot and one way or the other you'll develop the proper memory skills. I always tease that I'm gonna give typing lessons in TV but haven't thought much about it yet. Been working too hard on getting settled in.

There's also some lessons on the internet that might help you. Let me know if you need some more information. I don't think I should sign up for classes since I'm the fastest typist west (oops, EAST) of the Mississippi... Good luck!

[Shirleevee]

As I read this I am reminded of my sons. When they were in high school and had a choice of a course to take between Regents classes, I told them they should take typing. Well, they both balked at the thought of being in classes with all girls, and besides, "who needs to learn to type"? Boy are they glad they listened to Mother. Both uses computers extensively and are great typists.

[bestmickey]

There's an alternative. Speech recognition software. You no longer need to type. Rather, you dictate and the software types for you.

In fact, Staples has a version on sale through tomorrow (Dec 6), "Dragon Naturally Speaking Standard V10". The price is $99.99 BUT at checkout you get a rebate w/your receipt to mail in for a $50 rebate so the final cost is $49.99. If you shop for it make sure you pick up this particular one. There are other versions of Dragon that are costlier (they're more sophisticated). I don't use Dragon since I've got keyboarding skills. However, I've looked up some ratings/reviews, and it is highly rated. I am giving it to a friend for Christmas.

[Boomer]

When I saw this thread, I thought that I just had to tell you what I bought yesterday. I bought a typewriter. An Underwood. Really. I did. I like how it looks, and I just might take its picture and try to make it into an avatar which could appear here. -- if I ever figure out how to make an avatar.

It is funny how typewriters can trigger memories.

I had an English professor long ago who went on and on about the wonders of the IBM Selectric. One day she told us, in her syrupy southern accent, "My longest affair was with a man who owned an IBM Selectric."

I remember that sentence still. And it sure would have made a heck of an ad for that well known typewriter. -- though maybe an ad a little ahead of its time.

And wasn't there a song that was music with typewriters clicking and clacking all through it? And the ding was in there, too. Did that have something to do with the carriage return? I hope somebody knows what I am talking about here. I hope I am not imagining such a song. (I really must stop keyboarding about typewriters now. What if there was no such song???? What will you all think of me??? Not to mention that I think I might be hijacking. Sort of. A little bit. Maybe.)

Oh and btw, just for the record, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."

Boomer

[KathieI]

Of course I remember that song, The typewriter Song..... have fun:::
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00hpL3RgyV4

Hope this works, I've never done this....

[Whalen]

Originally Posted by KathieI

Of course I remember that song, The typewriter Song..... have fun:::
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00hpL3RgyV4

Hope this works, I've never done this....

Next we'll be looking for Spike Jones classics!

[F16 1UB]

I kant tipe fasst or reed to whel, but I did stay in a Motel 5 last night.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by KathieI

Of course I remember that song, The typewriter Song..... have fun:::
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00hpL3RgyV4

Hope this works, I've never done this....

Kathie,

Thank you. I did not imagine such a song after all. Now, I feel better.

Sometimes I start to wonder. And I am not sure.

I seem to have a lot of old song lyrics stuck in my head and I have no idea why. (I guess that one does not exactly have lyrics though.)

Sometimes I think my life passes before my eyes on You Tube.

That typewriter song is still fun.

And I see it is nearly midnight. I must never allow myself to type after midnight. I don't know what I might say. I get way too sleepy and I have been known to make shameless confessions if I type after midnight.

So thanks for the song link.

And

Goodnight.

Boomer

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by KathieI

JoC is right. As memory serves me, its the home keys that are most important. That is the A key over to the ; key and to reach all the other keys from those home keys. But its practice, practice, practice. The whole thing with typing is remembering the keyboard and visualizing where your fingers should move.

I know many people who type as fast as I do with only hunt and peck style. But practice a lot and one way or the other you'll develop the proper memory skills. I always tease that I'm gonna give typing lessons in TV but haven't thought much about it yet. Been working too hard on getting settled in.

There's also some lessons on the internet that might help you. Let me know if you need some more information. I don't think I should sign up for classes since I'm the fastest typist west (oops, EAST) of the Mississippi... Good luck!

I like your new font. Much classier than the old one!

[KathieI]

Very very cute, Bare, but this early in the morning, it took a while to catch on. LOL... Glad you like my font,,, "ring"
"click"

[Barefoot]

Kathie, I liked the font in your Dec. 5 post. Now I'm experimenting too.

I think typing speed has a lot to do with whether people ever post or just lurk. I love to type. Some people like to drive cars, I like to type.

Fireboy hears me clicking away and he is mystified. He has an ID but never posts. He says it would take him so long to get his idea down that he'd forget it half way through.