Question How do you become a better typist and gamer?

[UKTone]

I use a controller when I game, and I occasionally type, a lot of friends say to pick the switch that feels good to you by testing keyboards at best buy or microcenter. The problem is, I am not good at typing fast, or playing games on a keyboard and mouse, so I don't really know what'll be good for me in the long run. A btw, I like the majority of game genres (sims is a type of game I don't like), so if a suggestion is to play x game, I'll play it. Things like hand positioning, mindset, posture, where the keyboard is, mouse is, if i should have a keyboard with the palm rests, mouse mat, etc. I need to build a better foundation and just be better at typing in general before i spend 99-500 on a keyboard. Also, are the $500 keyboards worth it?

 

[kerberos_20]

if youre not typer and have keyboard just for gaming...than just how it feeels pressing buttons and sound response from pressing buttons...and umm RGB lol as you dont know where buttons are placed from memory...some light helps in dark...and also rgb keyboards can be configured to light up just few keys to help you focus pressing your keys

 

[Ralston18]

Like most activities:

Practice.

Maybe a keyboard class or exercise program to learn "touch typing".

Ergonomics.

Not so much a matter of speed sometimes. Smooth counts. Muscle memory.

And more real world exercise and activities. Preferably outdoors if possible.

Overall healthier lifestyle. Whatever you can do.

 

[tecmo34]

As @Ralston18 , practice and feel. You can utilize sites such as https://www.typing.com/student/tests to get a feel for how fast you type per minute. The 10 finger approach and learning that will improve your speed but I do know some that can type just about as fast with using minimal fingers per hand so it is individual.

As for gaming, speed is not a critical as muscle memory and knowing where the WASD keys, R key extra is on the keyboard without having to look each time you try to reload a weapon or trying to go to prone position, etc.

As for switches, yes the best method is to go to a Best Buy or Microcenter and get your hands on them. Optical, Liner, Tactical and Clicky all have different feels and likes. Some lean toward optical for gaming, as less travel time, while others will say liner, tactical based on the feel and use of the keyboard besides just gaming. I went from a optical EVGA keyboard to a custom liner switch keyboard for my everyday gaming. For work, I use a tactical (holy panda switches) so I can have the feedback when I'm typing more so then gaming.

A $500 dollar keyboard is in the eyes of the beholder and what you like about it. Some will say a simple $20 keyboard is all you'll need and others will spend over $500 on a custom Group Buy keyboard. I'm a fan of true custom keyboards where you can pick you PCB plate, hot swappable, switches, keycaps, etc. over boards like Corsair. Not that there is anything wrong with them, just a personal preference. Of the 6, I have that are custom keyboards, I think they range from $150 to close to $400 with all the build. Again, this is my hobby and something I like to do so I don't expect others to feel that way or spend that type of money on keyboards. Getting a nice Corsair K70 or HyperX keyboard, could be all that you need versus going down the custom keyboard rabbit hole.

In other words, there is no right or wrong answer, it is what like and want as personal preference.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Four little rules:

1. Practice
2. Practice
3. Practice
4. See Rule #1

There is no "Easy" button here.

 

[Eximo]

Typing your stream of consciousness is a good practice. Whatever you are thinking about just type it until you can do it smoothly. Being able to keep up with normal speaking speed is pretty good for most people.

My typing style reflects my small hands. I often move my hands around the keyboard more than is necessary with the standard home row layout. Over time I've learned that certain words can be more quickly typed by having my right hand farther to the right, also a more natural position on a standard keyboard, or by practically having my hands cross each other on the keyboard. (Also you develop a whole weird style if you do a lot of coding that requires heavy use of ' " / and brackets.)

(Just under 50 WPM on the first test above, though those weren't exactly common words. I've scored closer to 70 WPM on other programs)

 

[UKTone]

Kerberos, I'm not a typist, but i want to learn both to type faster and play games. ex_bubbl i was looking for advice for where to start, obviously it'll take practice/training, but being guided a bit would help.

I type around 45-75wpm, but it's been a while, i will look up youtube videos too. Thanks for the help Ralston, tecmo, and Eximo.

 

[Eximo]

Well, my secret to success early on was actually playing FPS with ONLY the keyboard. Getting a bit too old to keep it up for very long though. Many modern games don't support the necessary inputs either.

Pre-game warm up also is important. If you start off a game with 'cold' hands, you can often make mistakes you wouldn't otherwise. I used to actually type stuff before playing a round.

For the curious.

A - Jump
Z - Duck/Crouch
S - Look Up (Pitch Up)
X - Lown Down (Pitch Down)
CRTL - Fire (Left Mouse)
ALT - AltFire (Right Mouse)
Shift - Often Unassigned, but could be assigned to game specific functions
Space - Strafe modifier
Left Arrow - Turn Left (Strafe Left)
Right Arrow - Turn Right (Strafe Right)
Up Arrow - Move Forward
Down Arrow - Move Back
Right CRTL - Also Fire, but could be mapped to things like throw grenade depending on the game.
Numpad 0 - could also be mapped for various things.

Switching weapons had to rely on the number keys, though that could be done differently depending on the game. Another possible use for shift or left control.

 

[Eximo]

I wasn't the odd one out. In my group of friends we had one guy that used a three button mouse. Only vertical worked on the mouse movement, turn left and right were the left and right mouse buttons with Fire being the middle button. With everything else on the keyboard, was most strange.