# What tools can I use to learn to type better?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tools-can-i-use-to-learn-to-type-better/283321>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 6, 2005, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tools-can-i-use-to-learn-to-type-better/283321 "2005-01-06T01:03:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bat312](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c77e96/32.png) [@bat312](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bat312)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tools-can-i-use-to-learn-to-type-better/283321/1 "2005-01-06T01:03:05Z")

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I need to learn to type better (faster). Have any suggestions on a software package?

I am using the hunt and peck two-finger method.

What about voice recognition software?

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**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tools-can-i-use-to-learn-to-type-better/283321/2 "2005-01-06T01:16:43Z")

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There are many programs around. I don’t know if the one I used is, but it was _Mavis Bacon Teaches Typing_ and it took me from hunt and peck to ~35 wpm in about two months, back in the late '80s.

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**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tools-can-i-use-to-learn-to-type-better/283321/3 "2005-01-06T01:21:38Z")

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I learned with Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor. You can try it from [download.com](http://download.com). The free version only teaches you about 10 keys IIRC. For about $30, you can unlock the rest of them. The graphics are for kids but I think overall that it works pretty well.

I don’t have any experience with it but you can use [Learn2Type](http://www.learn2type.com) for free.

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**Author:** ![bat312](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c77e96/32.png) [@bat312](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bat312)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tools-can-i-use-to-learn-to-type-better/283321/4 "2005-01-06T01:53:10Z")

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Thank you Ringo & KRM.

I have a place to start.

Have a HNY

-B312