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Ask HN: Best way to increase typing speed?

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Re: Ask HN: Best way to increase typing speed?

#41

Post by cuddlybacon »

StavrosK wrote: post #34
throwaway12757 wrote: post #3

I got a lot better and faster at typing when I switched to a das keyboard without key labels. It forced me to learn and not rely on looking down at the keys. 10/10 would recommend.. also it stops noobs from using your box.

I did the same, but the only thing that happened was that I couldn't type symbols (quick, type a $ without looking at the keyboard). I exchanged it with one with keycaps afterwards.

Eventually you do learn where they all are. That did take noticeably longer than anything else.

Re: Ask HN: Best way to increase typing speed?

#43

Post by EarthIsHome »

sashakatsnelson wrote: post #9

https://play.typeracer.com/

This is great for people who want to improve their speed but also already know how to touch type.

In the past three months, I've used these typing game websites and increased my average typing speed from around 80 WPM to 100 WPM.

Some other typing games are 10fastfingers [0] and typerush [1].

If you don't already know how to touch type (i.e. you currently use two fingers to chicken peck), it's best to break that habit by learning to touch type.

[0]: https://10fastfingers.com/

[1]: https://www.typerush.com/

Re: Ask HN: Best way to increase typing speed?

#44

Post by dukha »

First, you need good mechanical keyboard. Some people will advocate for specific models or switches, but you need to choose one by yourself by typing on it.

Second, you need to learn touch typing. There are some tips:

a) buy keyboard with blank keycaps;

b) if you can't buy such keyboard (you really should), try to pull out keycaps and randomly change their order;

c) put blanked or some non-transparent sheet over your hands.

Third, change keypress repeat interval rate and delay in your system. It will force you to hit keys quicker. If you're using linux, good starter is to run 'xset r rate 200 60'. It means 'start repeating key if it's pressed for more that 200ms and repeat it 60 times per second'. Then gradually decrease first number and increase second.

Some people will tell, that typing speed doesn't matter much, but that's not true. When you get into the flow, you're stopping thinking verbally and starting to think in entire code blocks. It's crucial to not be hindered by keyboard in that case.

And remember, it should be uncomfortable at first. Otherwise, there will be no progress.

Re: Ask HN: Best way to increase typing speed?

#45

Post by dsego »

flipactual wrote: post #24

Switch to an ortholinear keyboard like [the Preonic from OLKB][1] These designs reduce motion (speed) and are uniformly laid out (accuracy) which is crucial because typing faster alone is not enough [1]: https://drop.com/buy/preonic-mechanical-keyboard

Ortholinear isn't necessarily better. I have a Plank collecting dust in my drawer. These designs are not anatomically better shaped than the standard staggered keyboard.

Re: Ask HN: Best way to increase typing speed?

#46

Post by sethammons »

huntermonk wrote: post #39
stunt wrote: post #28

It depends how fast you want to get. You need both skills and good keyboard. You can't type FAST with an average keyboard that doesn't register keys as fast as you can type. With standard Qwerty touch-typing fingers position, you can build up to 85-95wpm easily. You need a lot of practice to build the muscle memory. You can learn basics in Typingclub.com and then you need a lot more practice in communities like typer…

Going above 65 WPM will not cause injuries.

Yeah. I type 65-75 wpm. No injuries. However, I only type that speed for short bouts. Emails, notes, planning documents. Typically, I am not typing. When coding, my limit is not my typing speed; it is my thinking through the problem and how to design and test the solution.

Re: Ask HN: Best way to increase typing speed?

#47

Post by StavrosK »

cuddlybacon wrote: post #41
StavrosK wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did the same, but the only thing that happened was that I couldn't type symbols (quick, type a $ without looking at the keyboard). I exchanged it with one with keycaps afterwards.

Eventually you do learn where they all are. That did take noticeably longer than anything else.

Did you get faster than before in the end?

Re: Ask HN: Best way to increase typing speed?

#48

Post by JCharante »

Are there any competitive typers here? I touch type around 105 WPM, peaking sometimes at 140. I'd like to get faster into the range of 200-300 as I see other people typing at on leaderboards, but I don't know what I should do. Should I switch away from QWERTY? Should I use a different type of keyboard? Should I be doing any mental tricks or is it just raw practice?
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