Typing: Speed vs Accuracy

[Jackie G]

Ok, here's my 2p worth.

Speed is important, but so is accuracy.  Remember spell checkers aren't infallible!

I recently did a typing test with Office Team and was told accuracy was more important, so I slowed my speed down (still fast) and got 100% accuracy - which they had never seen!  Ever!

As for learning here are my answers:

Learnt to type on a manual typewriter and used all the old things - stencils, bandas, the lot.  I disagree about being able to reach speed on them though - I did my RSA III and got it certificated at 75 wpm using a manual typewriter.
Self taught on my PC, did one Word course which taught me a couple of things I still use, but was 96% useless.
No idea what students are learning now but they certainly can't spell and as for decent formatting of a document, they also seem to have no idea (I am generalising, before anyone jumps down my throat here!)
Current speed - a question Gee didn't ask, but fyi, my current speed (self tested online) is around 132 wpm.

Jackie, Peer Moderator
www.iqps.org

[Atlanta Z3]

My mother forced me to take typing in high school.  Typing 1 was taught by the male girls basketball coach and I had the team in my class - wonder why I flunked Typing II?  I learned on manual machines and remember the pain of centering, no white out (remember the eraser on a wheel with the little brush), yellow practice paper, and the ribbon replacement (who didn't get red and black fingers!).
I did take a keyboarding class in college.
No clue as to what kids are being taught.
I have watched many a two finger typist!
The latest I have heard to replace admins is off shoring typing.  Sending dication out over night and getting it back the next day and the cost was about $700 a month.  Supposedly it was very accurate - nice to know I do more than transcribe dictation.
Oh and the keyboard replacement is supposed to be that etch a sketch screen and a stylist that will transform your writing into a typed form.  I still say I can type faster than I write.

[skyedesk]

Both!  My typing speed is 120wpm on a keyboard and was 90wpm on an Olivetti manual.  I learned at school but speed/accuracy became second-nature when I worked in the typing pool of a large shipping office in Liverpool when I left school (1967).  The typing pool was supervised by two lovely ladies who, though strict, were a joy to work for and taught each of us to fine-tune our shorthand and typing skills.  

We were taught how to erase so that no mark was left on the paper - but this was such a time-consuming 'trick' we soon learned to type with one hundred percent accuracy!

I must say though, that with the onset of the keyboard, I have yet to come across a proper workstation where the keyboard is set at the correct angle and height like a typewriter keyboard used to be.  This is a pain in the neck - literally!  

You want it yesterday? Not a problem!

[Katie G]

My hubby is an organist -- classically trained.  

He handles up to four keyboards, a pedalboard, and all the pistons and stops and couplers and expression shoes........

AND TYPES WITH TWO FINGERS..  

And doesn't see the irony.

[sarahjanepa]

with help from P, mine is getting faster, but accuracy does suffer, mine is about 86% accurate, typing faster more mistakes, practice I hope makes perfect......