Best way to learn to type properly

Honestly I would say it is just practice. There are sites out there that teach you how to like typingweb.com or typingclub.com but it will just come down to learning and forcing yourself not look down at the board. If you are having a hard time not looking down at it they make some covers that don't have any markings on them. I personally have never really liked the covers as they change how the keys will feel. My advice is work on learning the positions then start on your technique for touch typing.

1. Sit in a good position:


Check also this: http://www.dopps.com/posture.html

2. Place well the palms on top the keyboard, the way it's good for you, but not too high, just lay them (rest) on the keyboard so your fingers travel less to reach buttons.



3. Go and play trivia on IRC/Live Chat. (in few days you are going to be one of the fastest typists in your country)
an example:
http://www.chatflux.com/rooms/trivia.htm (don't play there so don't ask me if it's a good place)
Edited by doscape - 8/26/12 at 7:49pm

Uhh, this might not be the best place to ask, but, here goes: I currently type at 130-140 wpm average with two fingers on each hand. It experience no discomfort when typing like this. Is it worth it to learn how to type "properly"?

If a person hasn't learned how to type then it's probably best to start learning how to type 'properly' since most keyboards were created the way they are so fingers can naturally move to every positioned key. I also find it hard to believe that you can type 130-140 wpm 'that way' unless you've been typing the way you have been for a very long time...all the time.

It was a mandatory class back in middle school (I think both 6th and 8th grade).

We were taught on typewriters. Basically you place your left and right hand on the 'home keys' (if that's what it was called) while thumbs are placed on the space bar...

Left hand fingers:
Pinky on 'A' | Ring on 'S' | Middle on 'D' | Index on 'F'

Right hand fingers:
Pinky on ';' | Ring on 'L' | Middle on 'K' | Index on 'J'

...if you haven't noticed that's why you see the little bumps on the keyboard on keys 'F' and 'J' so people just feel and not look to get their hands in 'home' position. That's pretty much the starting point...memorizing the position of the 'home keys'. Afterwards you start memorizing the position of the keys above, below, and the side of the 'home keys'. So in this case...

Left hand fingers:
Pinky move to 'Q' and 'Z' | Ring move to 'W' and 'X' | Middle move to 'E' and 'C' | Index move to 'R' 'T' 'G' 'B' and 'V'

Right hand fingers:
Pink move to 'P' and '/' | Ring move to 'O' and '.' | Middle move to 'I' and ',' | Index move to 'U' 'Y' 'H' 'N' and 'M'

...where you would move each finger to its proper keys. It may be difficult but it should become natural after some practice.

I hope this can give you a proper introduction on typing. I'm no expert...just explaining what I went through back in middle school. I still only type at an average ~70wpm but at least it's enough to get me around.

No... .. I don't care how long you have been typing. It is physically impossible with just two fingers.

Man, I never knew how to type using the "Home Key Method" but I type at 80-100 WPM.

For me, you can pick any way of typing (even 1 finger!) that is comfortable to you.

@MAD-DUKE
Are you sure?

http://www.rapidtyping.com/downloads.html

Nice little program to teach one how to type properly.

Yes very sure.

Once you go real, you will never want to go back. Also your typing speed will increase by a factor of at least 4 times.

I used to type around 50wpm about a year ago. About 3 or 4 times a week I would go to typeracer.com or I would fire up Stamina Touch Typing tutor if I didn't have internet access. Here are some links.
http://play.typeracer.com/

http://typingsoft.com/download.htm

And if you want to waste a lot of time, visit z-type and battle aliens
http://www.phoboslab.org/ztype/