Steve Herman
NYT discovers its reporters can type on average 80 words per minute — double the average speed in the US. (I just tested at 56 WPM with 100% accuracy -- way below my speed on an IBM Selectric II in my cub reporter days). https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/insider/how-fast-journalists-type.html?unlocked_article_code=1.V1A.ekMU.JtB3LSqyazwJ&smid=url-share
Mar 25 at 10:40pmWeb
Show threadClimate Jenny 2.14d ago
@newsguyusa Has there ever been a nicer typewriter than an IBM Selectric?
Show threadBruce Heerssen 4d ago
@ClimateJenny @newsguyusa
Only the IBM Selectric II
Show threadJulian West🦞4d ago
@ClimateJenny @newsguyusa they had balls
Show threadClimate Jenny 2.14d ago
@lobsterofrevenge @newsguyusa In fact yes.
Show threadGulfofMexico4d ago
@newsguyusa very interesting! I write for a living - history mostly, sometimes creatively for recreation. In my heyday, I could easily do 80wpm and then some. I learned on an IBM Selectric. My high school typing teacher ruled that class with an iron set of fingers. Everyone in class had all sorts of unflattering names for her, but when I got into college, I began to appreciate the valuable skill she had taught me. Then came the PC. It was supposed to make our lives faster, easier, and more efficient. It has with some things, but not typing. Those vile keys known as “backspace,” “delete,” and the combination “ctrl x” made us lazy. My typing teacher must be turning in her grave. However, computers have another problem — the keyboard. On my main writing PC I use a twenty year old HP keyboard because it feels right. It has that firm clackity-clack that almost makes me feel like I’m really typing. I won’t even try serious writing on a laptop. I suppose arthritis doesn’t help either.
Show threadChristopher McNabb N2UX4d ago
@CAman @newsguyusa The typing skills I gained in high school were instrumental in getting me out of scullery duty in Navy boot camp and into the Master at Arms office typing up reports
Show threadBruce Heerssen 4d ago
@CAman @newsguyusa
If you want to dive down a rabbit hole, look up modern mechanical keyboards. There's something for just about anyone who cares about typing.
Show threadGulfofMexico4d ago
@bruce @newsguyusa I’ll keep that in mind, but I’ll stick with my 20yo HP until I find something more comfortable. As for rabbit holes, the only one I like is the one I find after an edible, some scotch, and my Surrealistic Pillow LP. 🐇
Show threadDragonFlame4d ago

@bruce @CAman @newsguyusa

Another rabbit hole for fun, #shorthand .
Who can still write in Pitman?
In the 19th century court reporters/Hansard stenographers needed about 120 - 160 wpm shorthand top ones could manage 200wpm. At least 120 wpm typing.
My efforts were abysmal, achieved 50 wpm shorthand to pass a very basic exam but rapidly lost speed and never needed it for work. Only remember ' Dear Sir" nowadays.

Show threadGulfofMexico4d ago
@RHW @bruce @newsguyusa My sister was a wizard at shorthand. I never learned it. While working in archival materials I sometimes come across pages in shorthand. Before my sister passed, I would ask her to translate. Since she’s been gone I have no one to help with that. I might as well be trying to read Minoan Linear A.
Show thread☮ ♥ ♬ 🧑‍💻3d ago

@CAman learned to touch-type in HS, 50m per class for a semester. From Sinclair ZX80 (bubble keyboard), IBM 029 (punchcard) to MBP / iPad (the worst); Keyboards are tools that if well chosen allow flow state. A requirement for good work. I switched to a Das mechanical (noisy blue switches) for real work in computing.

What I noticed about late PC revolution especially laptops was how keystrokes didn’t require the same force. Going back to an ‘66 Olympia typewriter it’s noticeable how much effort the “P / p” and “Q/ q” combo required.
cc @newsguyusa

Show threadThee Mighty Peculia 🍄4d ago
@newsguyusa Typewriters are so much easier to type on than computer keyboards.
Show threadBrownian_motion4d ago
@newsguyusa IBM Selectric II, still the best keys ever for typing. Class in 1971, and never felt a keyboard as good since. #ibmselectric
Show threadGemma Seymour4d ago
@newsguyusa I wonder how many of them have actually taken touch typing classes?