Learn the Lost Art of Touch Typing
Computers have replaced typewriters, but two-finger, hunt-and-peck typing can never replace the touch typing of a trained professional. A recent report by Robert Johnson in the Boston Globe highlights the decline of typing skills. Human resource managers are finding it surprisingly difficult to recruit candidates with the most basic of all office skills. According to Johnson, "the rapid-fire 100-word-per-minute applicant has virtually disappeared. Today, a mere 40 words per minute is enough to gain many administrative jobs." Paradoxically, as computers are being used by more and more people, it has become apparent that typing is not just a skill required by typist anymore.
Strong typing skills are vital when conducting a thorough web search, entering data into a spreadsheet or using any other computer program. Ubiquitous email means that merely doubling your typing speed could save hours each week! Yet many of us persist with the two-finger, hunt-and-peck typing method. How did we end up in such a mess? When people first begin to use computers, many do not take the time to learn how to type correctly. Using keyboard may seem to be simple, when compared with learning complex business software.
People do not realize that by learning how to type properly, their use of software will be more effective and their time spent on a computer will be more productive.
Attitudes in school teaching have also had an impact. Typing skills were once taught in most secondary schools. Johnson notes that these low-tech classes consisted of little more than a teacher with a wind-up clock and rows of typewriters. The textbook showed the keyboard and specified which fingers should strike various letters and numbers in order to quickly copy business documents such as invoices and memos. But most schools phased-out the typing class as the demand for broader computer instruction increased.
Of course, many people manage to get by with the two-finger, seek-and-tap method.
But getting by is all it is. By learning to touch-type, you step into a new realm of computer experience.
No longer do you need to fret over the physical process of keying in information, whether it is a quick response to an instant message or a 30-page report. Instead, as a touch-typist you are free to concentrate on what you are writing, while your fingers do the "thinking" about which keys to hit.
How to Learn the Lost Art. If you are unable to open e-mail account without mistyping your password at least once or you're stuck at 20 words per minute, there are a several ways to improve. First, check out your current performance by taking a typing test. You will find a free typing test on the UK Training News website. If you can manage 90-100 words per minute then relax; otherwise read on.
Typing tutor software is a low-cost approach that can easily transform you from a hunt-and-pecker to a 100-word-a-minute touch-typist. There are dozens of typing programs available, including freeware and shareware programs. You need to look for a program which won't bore you to death with tedious drills, won't frustrate you with poor design or US spelling and which provides enough scope to let you achieve your target typing speed.
"Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing" is the leading typing instruction program, and has been one of the top ten best-selling software titles for over 10 years. A far cry from the first version that came out on floppy disks and had just four colours to display, the latest version has a virtual classroom with the simple to understand icons.
Mavis adjusts to the individual problem areas on the keyboard with unbelievable insight and watches for the typist's frustration factor. It will suggest a different words per minute goal, throw in a typing game for a break, or even advise "calling it a day." While self-instructional software on typing has proliferated, some say they're no replacement for supervised classes. Besides, for many programs other than "Mavis Beacon", the entertainment value seems to outweigh their educational quality. Consider Sega's "Typing of the Dead" tutorial, for which an ad suggests, "Trade in your video game controller for a keyboard and start typing for your life." The format is to "type" zombies to death by completing words and phrases that appear over their bodies. Some employers say that typing training must be taken more seriously.
Several training companies offer short classroom based typing training in the UK. Examples are "GO Training" in Glasgow and "Training Circle" in Northampton, where you will find instructor-led courses for around ?200. For longer courses leading to a professional qualification, many local colleges offer excellent value. Learndirect is a great place to look for courses, as well as the UK Training News website. By increasing your typing speed, you really could get more done each day.
Remember the mantra that training is an investment, not a cost. So put yourself on the path to blazing, machine gun-like typing by buying "Mavis" or enrolling on a touch-typing course..
Dick James is the editor of UK Training News, a free website providing articles, resources and discussion for the UK business and industrial training community. Article copyright UK Training News, 2004. May be reproduced on any website, provided that all links, the author by-line and this copyright notice remain unedited.Office Organization: How to Use the Tool Professional Organizers Love
Many professional organizers don't leave either home or office without one tool. What is it? Drum roll please??The answer is a labelmaker. "Most organizers favorite tool is the electronic labelmaker," confirms Diane Hatcher, president of Timesavers Professional Organizing Services, Cooper City, Florida (www.timesaversusa.com). "I particularly use a Brother PT65. It's a portable labelmaker.
And almost everybody that sees mine wants one." So why the love affair between professional organizers and labelmakers? It's because of what you can do with this little inexpensive object (which is less clunky and more portable than its fading cousin, the typewriter). Essentially, a labelmaker spits out self-adhesive tape with the words and phrases you type onto its keyboard. (A label printer that attaches to and works in conjunction with your computer would use your computer keyboard as the input device). You can view what you're inputting on a tiny screen on portable labelmakers, usually an...
Office Organization: How to Use the Tool Professional Organizers Love
Keyboard > Office Organization: How to Use the Tool Professional Organizers Love
Write Right
The rich and colorful descriptors flowing from your deft digits on a seasoned keyboard will tantalize and transform your rapt audience. What?! That line may be too flowery but does show how important it is to write advertising copy that demands to be noticed.There are two considerations in creating compelling copy. You don't have much time to get noticed and the words have to be exactly right. You get one chance. Be clear and creative.
And get to the point.List your benefit early in the copy. Don't make your prospect guess. If you're selling fuel sipping automobiles, say so--in the beginning. Tell prospects what they need to know--The who, what, where and when of your offering.Economize your words. Go through copy and eliminate that not needed.
You can say a lot with few words. Think Nike and 'just do it". Too many descriptors cloud your theme and confuse the message.Write like you talk. Phrases are OK. Forget what an English teacher would say.
Ad copy has a singular...
Write Right
Keyboard > Write Right
Eliminate Formatting in Outlook Or Outlook Express
I often use copy and paste to take content from one e-mail and add it to another. Because of the cost of ink and the limited knowledge of some of my friends, I usually like to make fonts smaller and change them from color to black. But I often have a hard time changing both the font and the color, and sometimes I can't do either. I'm wondering whether this has something to do with the originator's programs. In any case, I'd appreciate any help that you can offer in this area.Whether you reply or copy/paste, cleaning up formatting in HTML-based e-mail messages can be tough.
Just because the sender liked pale green text against a background of clouds doesn't mean your reply needs to be equally illegible. The easiest solution is to convert the message to plain text and then, if desired, back to HTML. To do that in Outlook, you would select Format | Plain Text from the message's menu, click Yes to confirm you want to discard the formatting, and then select Format | HTML. Using just...
Eliminate Formatting in Outlook Or Outlook Express
Keyboard > Eliminate Formatting in Outlook Or Outlook Express
Eliminate Formatting in Outlook Or Outlook Express
I often use copy and paste to take content from one e-mail and add it to another. Because of the cost of ink and the limited knowledge of some of my friends, I usually like to make fonts smaller and change them from color to black. But I often have a hard time changing both the font and the color, and sometimes I can't do either. I'm wondering whether this has something to do with the originator's programs. In any case, I'd appreciate any help that you can offer in this area.Whether you reply or copy/paste, cleaning up formatting in HTML-based e-mail messages can be tough.
Just because the sender liked pale green text against a background of clouds doesn't mean your reply needs to be equally illegible. The easiest solution is to convert the message to plain text and then, if desired, back to HTML. To do that in Outlook, you would select Format | Plain Text from the message's menu, click Yes to confirm you want to discard the formatting, and then select Format | HTML. Using just...
Eliminate Formatting in Outlook Or Outlook Express
Keyboard > Eliminate Formatting in Outlook Or Outlook Express
You Lost Your Debit Card -- How Much Do You Pay?
You stop at the grocery store for just a few items, but the next thing you know, you have a cart full of food and only a few bucks in you pocket. That when you notice that you left your checkbook at home, but it's not a problem you have your debit card with you. You slide your card, punch in a few numbers and your on your way. A few days later you notice that you don't have your debit card and now instead of enjoying its convenience, you're worried about how much in fraudulent charges you'll be responsible for. Debit cards have become extremely popular as the plastic of choice for paying for many types of purchases.
According to consumer experts more than 2/3rd of Americans have a debit card in their wallet and, in 2003, debit card purchases topped $1.48 trillion, outpacing credit card purchases by nearly $300 million. The convince of sliding a card instead of writing a check has been a boon for retailers, but its also been a boon for debit card fraudsters and identity thieves....
You Lost Your Debit Card -- How Much Do You Pay?
Keyboard > You Lost Your Debit Card -- How Much Do You Pay?
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Learn the Lost Art of Touch Typing
Hang Gear Introduces A Revolutionary New Universal Cell Phone Holder ?Universal Phone Thong?
(ContentDesk) December 10 2003--Hang Gear's efforts to revolutionize the cellular industry will be completed by their NEW patent pending "Universal Phone Thong." The Universal Phone thong is the only cell phone holder that fits virtually every cell phone on the market.This newly designed phone thong simply slips over your phone, including flips, and secures the phone in place. Their unique carabiner clip secures your phone to your pants, purse, backpack, golf bag, stroller, bike, car, or any other...
Learn the Lost Art of Touch Typing razr phone Keyboard Hang Gear Introduces A Revolutionary New Universal Cell Phone Holder ?Universal Phone Thong?
Keyboard > Hang Gear Introduces A Revolutionary New Universal Cell Phone Holder ?Universal Phone Thong?
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