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    QWERTY -> Colemak switcher

    • Started by anders
    • 9 Replies:
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    • Registered: 12-Jul-2010
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    12-Jul-2010 00:42:00#1 QWERTY -> Colemak switcher

    I switched to Colemak exclusively a week ago or so. I use TypeRacer for determining my speed. With QWERTY I was at 142 WPM all time avg, often doing 150+ sometimes, and never below 130. My record was 188 WPM, and 185 WPM on their 100% accuracy mode.

    I trained Colemak using TypeFaster(?) while using QWERTY for work. When I felt that my accuracy was good enough I began to race, and then later drop QWERTY completely. Right now I am about ~80 WPM and with a record of 97. I have a chart/spreadsheet here: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key … l=en#gid=1

    I can't really type on QWERTY anymore, or it depends: sometimes I can activate the old muscle memory but my fingers default to Colemak. Environment seems to matter. Once I feel that I can do 100 WPM confidently I will relearn the layout and maintain the speed of both. It's not always possible to install Colemak on someone's computer :(

    * What layout you've been using beforehand, and how long you've been typing with it
    QWERTY. Many years, I'm 19 now but I've used computers for as long as I can remember.

    * How long you've been using Colemak for, and how many estimated hours per week you've typed with it.
    A week exclusively, perhaps another week dual Colemak/QWERTY. 8 hours a day or more I guess.

    * Mention the methods you used to learn the layout.
    TypeFaster, removing QWERTY so you are not tempted to switch back when it becomes annoying :)

    * What operating system you're using.
    Windows, Mac OS X, Linux

    * If you mention typing speed, mention what way you used to measure it. Use one of the typing tests to measure it.
    TypeRacer

    * Share any tips about learning the layout.
    Work on your accuracy!

    Last edited by anders (12-Jul-2010 00:45:04)
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    12-Jul-2010 10:59:49#2 Re: QWERTY -> Colemak switcher
    anders said:

    * Share any tips about learning the layout.
    Work on your accuracy!

    I really need to do that. But how? It's not like I can think both on what I'm going to write and on what letter to press next. :/

    Current Colemak: http://hi-games.net/typing-test,60/watch?u=1388

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    12-Jul-2010 12:38:13#3 Re: QWERTY -> Colemak switcher
    kqr said:
    anders said:

    * Share any tips about learning the layout.
    Work on your accuracy!

    I really need to do that. But how? It's not like I can think both on what I'm going to write and on what letter to press next. :/

    What worked for me personally was to use TypeRacer, and think about every letter I'm typing. Slow, of course, but you gain speed quite fast. Also, think about the next word while you're typing the last. Sounds harder than it is, it makes a huge difference.

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    12-Jul-2010 14:01:58#4 Re: QWERTY -> Colemak switcher

    Beat my record, 101 wpm :) I also updated the data so it has all 900 races.

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    12-Jul-2010 23:03:06#5 Re: QWERTY -> Colemak switcher

    Another thing I forgot to mention is that on QWERTY I did not touch type properly. My hands were flying across the keyboard and I had the positions memorized with a high accuracy.

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    15-Jul-2010 14:52:32#6 Re: QWERTY -> Colemak switcher

    I am about to begin using Colemak and I downloaded the typing program TypeFaster but I don't see that it gives an option for Colemak... Did they remove it?

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    19-Jul-2010 02:16:37#7 Re: QWERTY -> Colemak switcher

    Follow the instructions for TypeFaster on the Colemak wiki. You have to set it up for Colemak.

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    23-Mar-2011 00:37:10#8 Re: QWERTY -> Colemak switcher

    I made a date based chart over my TypeRacer races, you can tell where I switched to Colemak: http://fgsfd.se/~anders/races.html

    Unfortunately I never regained my old speed. Perhaps I will be able to in the future, with more training. I don't regret switching though :)

    Also, I can't type on QWERTY anymore. But my keyboard can switch into hardware Colemak mode so I survive :)

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    23-Mar-2011 05:26:52#9 Re: QWERTY -> Colemak switcher

    Wow, I saw that you reach 130wpm in Colemak already. Naturally the speed will come with use and practice, as with 10+ years Qwerty you had.

    My fastest typing records http://hi-games.net/profile/4314
    My switching experience https://forum.colemak.com/viewtopic.php?id=970

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    18-Apr-2011 15:40:47#10 Re: QWERTY -> Colemak switcher

    http://fgsfd.se/~anders/tr/tr.php aggregate stats for my TypeRacer Colemak accounts

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