Typr – TUI typing test with a word selection algorithm inspired by keybr

seblon

Several years ago (around 2015), I also developed a typing learning web application. It was inspired by another application that had originally been developed for Windows 95 - with that app, I learned how to type. So in 2015, I decided to implement a web-based version of it.

http://touchtyper.net/en

However, I just checked out keybr.com and have to say - it's a much better system for learning to type! As of today, I now realize I have a huge problem with the letter "q" - I had never noticed that before! ^^

Sakura-sx

keybr's algorithm is flawed, getting 1 extra WPM on "q" does way less progress than getting 1 extra WPM on "e", it's better than most of the things but also I wouldn't have made typr if it was perfect.

seblon

Btw, I also checked out your app, my feedback after 5 minutes: there was at least one case, where a word was splitted instead of clean word wrapping for line break, when the terminal is small.

And one idea: do a audio bell on error, even for tui, this should just be the special "bell control char" written to stdout.

Sakura-sx

Thanks for the idea, added to roadmap!

procaryote

One issue with tools like these is that it's pretty artificial. You rarely need to type nonsense series of lowercase only words without punctuation at a consistent character speed.

I did a similar little tool at some point where I just used some books from the gutenberg project and normalised it a bit so there were no weird typographic quotes etc.

It both forces me to become good at the punctuation, and it's more interesting as I will accidentally start reading that book.

absolute_unit22

I couldn’t agree more on this honestly.

https://www.typequicker.com kinda focuses on this sentiment. AI generated natural text that targets user weak points.

The more you type, the better the targeted exercises are.

The whole app essentially focuses on natural text (except for drills)

ubercow13

I like this one https://typeonline.uk/speed-test/word

alabhyajindal

I love this! Reminded me of TypeLit.io [1]. I would love something similar for programming: typing out snippets of code, that make sense, to improve typing speed involving special characters and symbols. Maybe selecting code snippets from popular open-source projects and presenting them to the user is a good start!

1. https://www.typelit.io/

absolute_unit22

Thank you! :)

Yes!! I have this on my todo list (along with many other features I've always wanted) actually!

tough

I'm pretty sure this existed (typing out code) can't remember the name now

Rygian

I self taught touch typing by copying chapters of It. Eyes focused on the book, keyboard hidden under the desk, and only looking at the screen at each paragraph end. Worked great.

tough

i liked one that let you type codebases, great way to learn syntax alongside typing

someone else shared on other comment typing.io pretty sure it was this

Sakura-sx

More characters soon, thanks for the suggestion!

jerezzprime

Does anyone have any suggestions for typing practice programs that involve coding symbols? I recently got a new mechanical keyboard and I want to practice the new layout when I'm not also trying to think and solve programming problems.

Sakura-sx

I advice either monkeytype or keybr, both have a setting for code

Jenk

Monkeytype.com has many "code" dictionaries to choose from.

akaij

Looks nice! Reminds me of a similar program (a bbs door, really) named ‘yogurt’ by @sedatk — I remember using it to improve my fast-typing around 2002-2003. This brings back memories :)

“Time it needs time to win back your love again”

Sakura-sx

Thanks!

Sakura-sx

I have been a user of keybr.com for a long time, and I didn't really like things like for example only practicing one word at a time or the algorithm trying to force you to type each character at the same speed, that's why I made my own. It has an algorithm that selects words randomly with weights based on how long you take to type each letter, you accuracy with each letter and how common the letter is in English (you should type more-common letters faster!).

vanous

Nice effort!

All these tools teach typing and looking at the typed text. Only few programs make physical separation between the source and the typed text or do hide the text currently typed. Try it... yet another level... :)

Sakura-sx

Thank you!

Sakura-sx

Thank you for the stars, just went from 1 to 27 stars! :3

arvindparekh

Nice effort!

Sakura-sx

Thanks!!!

Velorivox

Shouldn’t this be a “Show HN”?

Sakura-sx

You are right, I didn't know what it was when posting.