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Frustrated with your
slow typing speed? Here are some tips to help!
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Are you wanting to improve your typing speed, and get more
done in less time? Here are some quick tips to help
you get started:
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Take the time to learn how to position
your fingers and reach each key on the keyboard.
Your fingers should rest comfortably on the home row (A
S D F, etc) with your left index finger on the F and
your right index finger on the J.
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Don't look at the keyboard as you type.
This is challenging at first, but once you've learned
how to find the keys without looking you will never go
back. Being able to look at your screen, instead
of your keyboard, allows you to focus more on what
you're typing, rather than how to type it.
You will find that your thoughts flow more smoothly and
your productivity will improve dramatically.
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Even wonder what those small bumps on the
F and J keys are for? These are to help you keep
your fingers in the right place as you type. As
your fingers leave the home row and return, you should
be able to feel these bumps on your index fingers.
If you don't, that's a sign that your hands have moved
out of place.
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Don't move your hand and other fingers
any more than necessary to reach each key. This speeds
up your typing by keeping your hands and fingers close
to the home row, and also reduces strain.
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Practice, practice, practice! While
the rules of touch typing are simple, developing the
technique and building speed take time. In the
beginning you may have to force yourself to type using
the correct technique, but over time you will adjust and
start to see your speed and productivity improve.
To learn more and sign up for a free trial
of our online typing tutor, visit us at
www.customtyping.com.
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Tip of the
Week:
Speed up your computer by adding more memory
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Your computer's memory, also known as RAM,
is the "work area" that all programs, such as your web
browser or e-mail reader, use to get their job done. The
more memory you have, the more space is available for your
programs to do their work. When memory runs low, Windows
makes use of the hard disk drive in your computer. Hard disk
space which is used as memory is known as "virtual memory".
The problem is that it takes your computer much longer to
use the hard disk than it takes to use your onboard memory.
So, if Windows needs to use virtual memory too much, your
computer runs slowly. For instance, you may notice a
significant pause as you start up a new program, or switch
from one program to another. The fix, of course, is to add
more memory.
Before adding more memory, there are some very important
things you need to check. First, see how much memory you
currently have and determine how much you need. You can see
how much you have by right-clicking on "My Computer" from
the desktop and choosing "Properties". In our office, we've
found that 512 megabytes (MB) of memory provides the best
balance between price and performance. If you are a light
computer user, who runs only one program at a time and does
simple Web browsing, word processing, and email
correspondence, then 256MB may be sufficient for you. If you
are a heavy user, and perform tasks such as digital video
editing or playing video games, you may need up to 1
gigabyte (GB). (A gigabyte is equal to 1024MB.)
Next, make sure you have an available slot for adding more
memory. If you still have a record of your original computer
purchase, you may be able to see how many of your memory
slots are in use, and how many are still available.
Otherwise, you will need to consult your owner's manual for
instructions on how to open the case and check the available
slots. Make sure that opening your computer's case does not
void any warranty that you may have in effect. If this is
the case, or if you don't feel comfortable opening your
computer, you may want to take it to a professional.
If you do not have a slot available, you will need to
replace an existing memory card with a new one of higher
capacity, which will be costlier.
The next step in the process is to determine what type of
memory you need. There are many different types of memory
cards, and you will need to make sure you purchase a type
that is compatible with your computer. Your owner's manual
will likely have the information you need. You can also
check the web sites of memory card manufacturers, such as
www.kingston.com and www.simpletech.com. Here, you will find
step-by-step guides for choosing the right type of memory.
Once you've purchased your memory, follow the instructions
in your owner's manual for opening the case and installing
memory cards. Again, make sure that opening the case does
not void your warranty. You also have the option of having a
professional perform the installation for you.
Once installed, your system should detect and make use of
the memory the next time you turn on your computer. You can
verify that the memory is being used by using the System
control panel (right-click on "My Computer" and choose
"Properties").
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Looking for a new
job?
Prove your typing speed to potential employers by taking our
online typing test, and receive an official certificate with
your results. For
details, go to: www.ProveMySpeed.com |
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