Typists can choose from several varieties of keyboard typing methods. Those looking to improve their character- and word-per-minute rates have a number of options that are derived from both typewriter typing techniques and the special requirements of computers. All of them offer unique advantages and disadvantages in terms of accuracy, speed and personal comfort.
Touch Typing
In touch typing, the typist keeps his eye on the material he is inputting at all times and does not look at the keyboard. Touch typing works best with traditional QWERTY keyboards and also integrates PC keyboard keys such as Ctrl and Alt. The method works equally well on both typewriters and keyboards, though the additional keys on a computer mean additional training time may be required. Home keys -- keys in the center rows of the keyboard -- orient the hands. Touch typing's great advantage is that it teaches better typing through muscle memory.
Search and Peck
"Search and peck," or "Hunt and peck" is a typing technique for beginners on unfamiliar keyboards such as Dvorak layouts or PDAs. Though the method has detractors, search and peck can be a useful way to became familiar with new keyboard layouts. This method can result in increased error rates, because the typist's eyes are not on the screen or paper.
Buffering
Buffering is a hybrid of search and peck and touch typing. While using the buffering technique, typists enter several sentences via Search and Peck before turning their eyes to the screen or paper to check. Despite the sacrifice in speed, buffering is a legitimate technique used when dealing with complicated content where a lack of typos is crucial (for instance, in finance and law). Buffering has been criticized because of the slow typing rates and mistakes associated with the technique. As a result, the most popular use of buffering is in professional typing contests with difficult words that emphasize accuracy instead of speed.
Thumbing
Thumbing is popular with PDAs and smartphones, which have smaller keyboards than conventional typewriters or computers. Thumbing requires the typist to input information exclusively with the thumbs, often on undersize keys. A number of tutorials are available to download online for both the iPod and Droid platforms. More effective thumbing is learned primarily through the experience of typing SMS text messages. The technique has been criticized due to the health risks; thumbing has been related to the risk of carpal-tunnel injury and is considered to be extremely bad ergonomic form.
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