Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

[jewpinthethird]

I recently purchased a macbook. I was reading through the owner's manual, including the ergonomics chapter. Whilst sitting at my laptop's keyboard, I practiced the proper ergonomic techniques. I typed a few sentences, but something didn't feel right. It was an awkward feeling, the equivalent to wearing the wrong shoes on the wrong feet. I took a deep breath and decided to just try typing as I normally do and observe the difference. My left hand was positioned with the pinky resting on the shift key, ring finger on A, middle on W, and index on D. Both thumbs were positioned over the spacebar, and the pinky on my right hand lie on the Return key. Suddenly it all came back to me. I rarely used the computer before I started playing Counterstrike, so I never learned the proper typing techniques.

I just found it interesting that, even though I havent played CounterStrike (or any other computer FPS) in 3 years, yet until today, I had never noticed this "bad" habit of mine.

So my question is, has anyone else ever had a similar experience?

[UberMario]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I started computerizing (more than the windows 95's lack of anything) when I was about 9 when I started playing EverQuest. You have to type quickly while fighting off goblins and what not. I grew really crappy typing skills. (first index finger jabbing) Later on and to this day, my left hand is almost the same position as yours, its shift/s/d/f. my right hand is j/k/l/" Pinky on the " key because its right by enter which you've to hit to activate the keyboard for talking and then again to say the message + use the hotkeys once again. I guess I use the shift key alot so my pinky's always on it. I'm fine at typing, never took those keyboard lessons like you're supposed to in school since my school comes from a small town and is demented.

[The_IT]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

Oddly enough, I have a similar experiance and situation. I also never used the computer much until I found FlashFlash. No MSN, no nothing like that. And I never was much for those games made for PC alone, and not other gaming systems. ANYWAYS, I started playing FlashFlash, and used only my right hand. Still do today in fact. In the three years since that time, I my right hand has grown progressively more dominant on the keyboard, as I use my index fingers to type out everything, and I rarely use my other fingers. In recent months, I have noticed my hand creeping as far to the left to hit the 'r', 'f', and 'c' keys. That's a full 6 keys that my right hand takes care of that my left hand never touches. It's begining to get a little concerning.

[sleeplessdragn]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I don't have a starting position on my keyboard. I suppose it's more like I've memorzied how to type a vast majority of key combinations, so when it comes to typing out a word, I just undergo a sequence of key combinations until I type the entire word out. Which probably explains why typing out something that I am reading is slow for me, because I have to visualize every word before engaging in typing it. Though whenever I load up any FPS or MMO game, I have to standardize all of my keys to the shift/a/w/d combination.

[meno_rocks123]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

i just index-finger jab.
normal typing is odd. i get about 2 wpm with about 6 errors. >P

[Tps222]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I memorized where every key on the keyboard is, so I don't need to have any starting position or home row or whatever that stupid stuff is. I can usually type a decent sized paragraph out with minimal errors.

Doesn't seem like a big deal to me, eventually it'll fix itself out.

[GuidoHunter]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I started computerizing (more than the windows 95's lack of anything) when I was about 9 when I started playing EverQuest. You have to type quickly while fighting off goblins and what not. I grew really crappy typing skills. (first index finger jabbing) Later on and to this day, my left hand is almost the same position as yours, its shift/s/d/f. my right hand is j/k/l/" Pinky on the " key because its right by enter which you've to hit to activate the keyboard for talking and then again to say the message + use the hotkeys once again. I guess I use the shift key alot so my pinky's always on it. I'm fine at typing, never took those keyboard lessons like you're supposed to in school since my school comes from a small town and is demented.

I did take all those typing classes, yet I never once used the left shift key regularly until I started to learn Dvorak. All right shift for me. Oh, and I use the typical home-row setup.

--Guido

http://andy.mikee385.com

[Tasselfoot]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I learned to type about... 12 or 13 years ago, when I was 9 or 10. Mario Teaches Typing on the Windows 3.1... old school.

From there, we had mandatory Computer class in 6-8th grade, which focused heavily on typing. I was WAY ahead of my class, thanks to Mario.

So, yea. Because of Mario (and my mother for forcing me to do it) I have the standard typing setup asdf jkl; and because I'm left-handed, I've always used the left shift anyways. Never really needed shift for the video games I play though... but it is really fast for me to get my pinky over from the a to the shift.

So, basically... no, I've never had a situation like that. I've been typing properly for 10+ years. And I just built up speed via living on the internet. I do like 380-410 on TyperA, which IMO is the best online typing test.

[talisman]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I never had a typing class... just picked up touch typing from playing too much word racer the summer before 8th grade. I knew you were supposed to use the home keys, so I tried to do it that way, but now my hands are too big to fit the right way, so my left is awef instead of asdf.

[Sol_Solis]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I use both shift keys and type with homerow, before my typing class I used index's for everything.

[Patashu]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I never learned proper touchtyping and can manage 100 WPM on a good day. So, it probably isn't THAT important, all it takes is practice and familiarity.

[Reach]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I took typing classes and learned to type properly, and managed to get up to aroudn 115 WPM.

However, I still somehow developed a habit I can't kick. I don't use my right hand pinky, ever. And I also don't use the shift on the right side. It causes me to slow down on a few specific words and such but I've never bothered to fix it.

[Patashu]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I took typing classes and learned to type properly, and managed to get up to aroudn 115 WPM.

However, I still somehow developed a habit I can't kick. I don't use my right hand pinky, ever. And I also don't use the shift on the right side. It causes me to slow down on a few specific words and such but I've never bothered to fix it.

On the other hand, I've never ever used the shift on the right side.

[chickendude]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I never took a typing class and I type standard home row
I never use left shift though. It's always right shift for me. I can get around 90WPM.

I never had any such problem. I always kept my video game setup different from my standard typing setup.

[klagett]

Re: Just an observation. Followed by a simple question.

I learned to type in middle school the proper way. The last job I had before poker I was actually a relay operator for the hearing imparied people. So basically I would be on phone with people all day long typing whatever they said on the phone to the deaf person so that they could make their normal phone calls.

Using both shifts for the win.