How do you type numbers?

Pumpy Tudors · 04-20-2006, 04:26 PM

Hey, guys, it's a poll that applies to practically everybody on this board!

Three weeks ago, I started working in the office of a coal mining company. As I was being trained, other people noticed that I generally type numbers using the row near the top of the keyboard. I realized that this has amazed other people for years, but it's no big deal to me. I grew up with a Commodore 64, and that machine didn't have a numeric keypad. On that computer, I had to type this way.

Anyway, I didn't really master the numeric keypad until about two years ago. I figured that I might as well try the thing, and it took me a couple of days to get comfortable with it. Now I'm just as good with that, but I still mostly use the number row at the top. Since this has amazed so many people I've worked with, I've started to wonder if I'm doing something uncommon. So I ask FOFC:

Primarily, which do you use to type numbers? The number row, the numeric keypad, or both about equally?

Young Drachma · 04-20-2006, 04:29 PM

Slow day at work, eh?

Pumpy Tudors · 04-20-2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omnivore

Slow day at work, eh?

Busted.

JonInMiddleGA · 04-20-2006, 04:30 PM

About equally I imagine, depends mostly on what I'm doing.
If I'm working mostly with numbers, I use the keypad. If it's just 1 or 2 random numbers among a bunch of text, then I usually go to the top row.

Lorena · 04-20-2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

About equally I imagine, depends mostly on what I'm doing.
If I'm working mostly with numbers, I use the keypad. If it's just 1 or 2 random numbers among a bunch of text, then I usually go to the top row.

finkenst · 04-20-2006, 04:49 PM

if i'm entering numbers into excel, i'll tend to use the keypad.

any other application (typing in IP addresses, for exampe), i'm using the top row of the keyboard.

Pumpy Tudors · 04-20-2006, 04:55 PM

Thank you all so much for answering my poll! You are all sweethearts!!!

sooner333 · 04-20-2006, 04:58 PM

my laptop (my only computer) has no numeric keypad, so this one was easy. But really, I've never really used the numeric keypad except in my keyboarding class in high school where we were forced to learn with it.

Glengoyne · 04-20-2006, 05:05 PM

I honestly don't know.

Terps · 04-20-2006, 05:09 PM

The number row.

TroyF · 04-20-2006, 05:12 PM

Whenever possible, the keypad.

Maple Leafs · 04-20-2006, 05:15 PM

If I'm typing "I want to drink 6 beers", I use the top row. But if I'm doing actual number entry, it has to be the keypad.

JeffR · 04-20-2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

If I'm typing "I want to drink 6 beers", I use the top row. But if I'm doing actual number entry, it has to be the keypad.

Yeah, same here. Anything in a database or spreadsheet, tab with the left hand, enter numbers with the right.

sabotai · 04-20-2006, 05:23 PM

I never use the keypad on the side.

Ben E Lou · 04-20-2006, 05:23 PM

I took a typing class in 7th or 8th grade, which would have been the fall of '81 or '82. We had actual typewriters, which didn't have number pads on the right, of course. I still type using pretty much the "standard" format taught to me by Mr. Earl A. Birney, Jr., including stretching the fingers to reach the numbers above the top row of letters.

Franklinnoble · 04-20-2006, 05:58 PM

Depends. If I'm on my laptop, the top row is the only option. Otherwise, I use the keypad.

RPI-Fan · 04-20-2006, 07:10 PM

If I'm doing data entry (which I have to do somewhat often), it's the keypad. If it's mixed in with words, I use the number row.

vex · 04-20-2006, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

About equally I imagine, depends mostly on what I'm doing.
If I'm working mostly with numbers, I use the keypad. If it's just 1 or 2 random numbers among a bunch of text, then I usually go to the top row.

ditto

wade moore · 04-21-2006, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

About equally I imagine, depends mostly on what I'm doing.
If I'm working mostly with numbers, I use the keypad. If it's just 1 or 2 random numbers among a bunch of text, then I usually go to the top row.

"

Antmeister · 04-21-2006, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

I took a typing class in 7th or 8th grade, which would have been the fall of '81 or '82. We had actual typewriters, which didn't have number pads on the right, of course. I still type using pretty much the "standard" format taught to me by Mr. Earl A. Birney, Jr., including stretching the fingers to reach the numbers above the top row of letters.

Heh heh.....I had typing class too back in the early 80's ('83 - '84). In fact, it is strange to see how it went from the typewriter to the word processor to the computer within a short span of time.

Working on a typewriter was an exercise. The carriage return took a lot of practice because I would hear the bell ring and still try to complete a long word that ended up going off the page. Plus I would always manage to double hit the handle and make the page move up two lines. Geez, I could never go back to that. Think about all that work to write a freaking page without errors and don't even talk about carbon copies.

Raiders Army · 04-21-2006, 05:53 AM

Usually I use my fingers to type numbers as well as letters. Sometimes my forehead if I'm frustrated.

cthomer5000 · 04-21-2006, 06:01 AM

keypad every single time.

Draft Dodger · 04-21-2006, 06:20 AM

keypad. a few years back, I used to run some fantasy hockey and baseball leagues, and for a long time I entered all the numbers in by hand. when I have to type numbers on my laptop, I'm lost

Joe · 04-21-2006, 06:53 AM

always keypad. the top number row is worthless.

CraigSca · 04-21-2006, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

other people noticed that I generally type numbers using the row near the top of the keyboard. I realized that this has amazed other people for years, but it's no big deal to me.

Wait until you show these people fire! That'll really knock their socks off!

sterlingice · 04-21-2006, 07:08 AM

I picked up the keypad when I worked at Office Max in high school and have used it primarily ever since.

SI

Pumpy Tudors · 04-21-2006, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigSca

Wait until you show these people fire! That'll really knock their socks off!

It really is strange how people at work react when they see me typing this way. I mean, part of it is that I type about 120 WPM, but I've heard more than once, "Look how fast he's typing... and look how he's using the numbers up at the top!" I have actually had co-workers call people from across the room to come over and watch me type, and they always mention the number thing.

So, yeah, I'm gonna try setting stuff on fire and see how it turns out. Oh, wait, that's not what you meant.

Butter · 04-21-2006, 07:37 AM

Keypad. Comes from working a couple of years in a bank doing accounting... you either learn to use the calculator, or you DIE! OK, not really, but I learned to do that keypad rather quickly, and now use it on the computer as well since they're laid out the same.

MikeVick7 · 04-21-2006, 08:08 AM

I'm all about the 10-key.

Mustang · 04-21-2006, 08:27 AM

Top row 100% of the time. That mass of keys to the right is about useless to me...

Telle · 04-21-2006, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

I took a typing class in 7th or 8th grade, which would have been the fall of '81 or '82. We had actual typewriters, which didn't have number pads on the right, of course. I still type using pretty much the "standard" format taught to me by Mr. Earl A. Birney, Jr., including stretching the fingers to reach the numbers above the top row of letters.

I took keyboarding in highshool in '95.. and we were STILL using typwriters. A semester or two later they switched to using computers, but were too stupid to use a program that would disable the backspace key and so everyone cheated.

If I'm just typing a couple of numbers in the middle of a sentence I'll generally use the number row, but if I'm independently entering numbers the keypad is a lot faster (I worked in a retail store in college and we didn't have scanners, so I got really good at ten-key).

MJ4H · 04-21-2006, 09:35 AM

I made sure to get a laptop with a keypad on it. This was a deal-breaker to me. I would not have bought a laptop at all if I couldn't have a keypad.

kingfc22 · 04-21-2006, 02:18 PM

10-key all the time

Greyroofoo · 04-21-2006, 02:22 PM

I used to use a keypad when I worked for an inventory company a couple years ago and I used to be really fast at it. SO I stick with the key pad on the keyboard.

Lorena · 04-21-2006, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I mean, part of it is that I type about 120 WPM, but I've heard more than once, "Look how fast he's typing... and look how he's using the numbers up at the top!" I have actually had co-workers call people from across the room to come over and watch me type, and they always mention the number thing.

You should start charging people to watch you type

AnalBumCover · 04-21-2006, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Three weeks ago, I started working in the office of a coal mining company.

I guess that explains the mac-and-cheese-with-coal-dust-on-the-fingers thread last week.

Pumpy Tudors · 04-21-2006, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodgerchick

You should start charging people to watch you type

They never want to give me money. They only offer booty.

Heyyyy, Dodgerchick, wanna watch me type?

AnalBumCover · 04-21-2006, 03:15 PM

Can anyone explain why are the numbers on a calculater positioned differently from the numbers on a telephone?

pennywisesb · 04-21-2006, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finkenst

if i'm entering numbers into excel, i'll tend to use the keypad.

any other application (typing in IP addresses, for exampe), i'm using the top row of the keyboard.

I'm the same as finkenst. I normally use a laptop at home though, so I always use the numeric row at the top because my laptop doesn't have the keypad. At work though, I use the keypad.

Buccaneer · 04-21-2006, 09:09 PM

I learned by using sharpened reeds on papyrus.

tucker342 · 04-21-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

About equally I imagine, depends mostly on what I'm doing.
If I'm working mostly with numbers, I use the keypad. If it's just 1 or 2 random numbers among a bunch of text, then I usually go to the top row.

what he said

sabotai · 04-21-2006, 11:47 PM

The only time I've ever used the keypad on the side was during duels in Pirates Gold! to control my guy's attack and defense...

Passacaglia · 04-22-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sterlingice

I picked up the keypad when I worked at Office Max in high school and have used it primarily ever since.

SI

That's weird. When I worked at Office Max in high school, I spent most of my time cleaning the bathroom.

Pumpy Tudors · 04-22-2006, 01:53 PM

So far, the distribution of votes is about what I expected. I'm just unsettled that QuikSand didn't vote, considering how many questions he's asked about us.

(maybe he didn't even read this poll, and no, I'm not even serious)

cuervo72 · 04-22-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

If I'm typing "I want to drink 6 beers", I use the top row. But if I'm doing actual number entry, it has to be the keypad.

If I'm typing that, I will type it "I want to drink six beers."

I use the top row in regular typing, but if I am working in a spreadsheet I will sometimes use the number pad. If I'm typing, it just doesn't make sense for me to move my hand off of the home row, look down at the keypad, and then move my hand back to the home row. I don't type 120WPM (maybe in the 40-50 range), so I can't afford that wasted time.

cuervo72 · 04-22-2006, 02:20 PM

Dola - and yes, I first learned to type on a typewriter.

sterlingice · 04-23-2006, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I learned by using sharpened reeds on papyrus.

I don't think this post has gotten the attention it deserves

SI

Philliesfan980 · 04-23-2006, 11:29 AM

Accountant here - so you can probably figure out what I use.

Pumpy Tudors · 09-26-2006, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

So far, the distribution of votes is about what I expected. I'm just unsettled that QuikSand didn't vote, considering how many questions he's asked about us.

(maybe he didn't even read this poll, and no, I'm not even serious)

By the way, five months later, this still disturbs me. :o

Izulde · 09-26-2006, 04:00 PM

I generally use the top row if I'm at home, the keypad if I'm at Vicceh's Secret on the register, though I oddly have the option of both at both places.

View Poll Results: Which do you MOSTLY use to type numbers?
The number row at the top of the keyboard	43	28.86%
The numeric keypad on the side of the keyboard	76	51.01%
Both about equally	30	20.13%
Voters: 149. You may not vote on this poll

04-20-2006, 04:29 PM	#2
Young Drachma Dark Cloud Join Date: Apr 2001	Slow day at work, eh? __________________ Current dynasty: Playtesting chaos (Viperball 26) \| OOTP Mod: Managerial Strategy Files \| GM Excel Competitive Balance Tax/Revenue Sharing Calc \| FBCB Mods on Github

04-20-2006, 04:30 PM	#4
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	About equally I imagine, depends mostly on what I'm doing. If I'm working mostly with numbers, I use the keypad. If it's just 1 or 2 random numbers among a bunch of text, then I usually go to the top row. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

04-20-2006, 04:55 PM	#7
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	Thank you all so much for answering my poll! You are all sweethearts!!! __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor.

04-20-2006, 05:15 PM	#12
Maple Leafs Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002	If I'm typing "I want to drink 6 beers", I use the top row. But if I'm doing actual number entry, it has to be the keypad. __________________ Down Goes Brown: Toronto Maple Leafs Humor and Analysis

04-20-2006, 04:58 PM	#8
sooner333 College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Norman, OK	my laptop (my only computer) has no numeric keypad, so this one was easy. But really, I've never really used the numeric keypad except in my keyboarding class in high school where we were forced to learn with it.

04-20-2006, 05:05 PM	#9
Glengoyne Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Fresno, CA	I honestly don't know.

04-20-2006, 05:09 PM	#10
Terps College Prospect Join Date: Jul 2001	The number row.

04-20-2006, 05:12 PM	#11
TroyF Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	Whenever possible, the keypad.

04-20-2006, 05:23 PM	#14
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	I never use the keypad on the side.

04-20-2006, 05:23 PM	#15
Ben E Lou Morgado's Favorite Forum Fascist Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC	I took a typing class in 7th or 8th grade, which would have been the fall of '81 or '82. We had actual typewriters, which didn't have number pads on the right, of course. I still type using pretty much the "standard" format taught to me by Mr. Earl A. Birney, Jr., including stretching the fingers to reach the numbers above the top row of letters. __________________ The media don't understand the kinds of problems and pressures 54 million come wit'!

04-20-2006, 05:58 PM	#16
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	Depends. If I'm on my laptop, the top row is the only option. Otherwise, I use the keypad.

04-20-2006, 07:10 PM	#17
RPI-Fan Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Troy, NY	If I'm doing data entry (which I have to do somewhat often), it's the keypad. If it's mixed in with words, I use the number row. __________________ Quis custodiets ipsos custodes?

04-21-2006, 05:53 AM	#21
Raiders Army Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Black Hole	Usually I use my fingers to type numbers as well as letters. Sometimes my forehead if I'm frustrated.

04-21-2006, 06:20 AM	#23
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	keypad. a few years back, I used to run some fantasy hockey and baseball leagues, and for a long time I entered all the numbers in by hand. when I have to type numbers on my laptop, I'm lost __________________ Mile High Hockey

04-21-2006, 06:53 AM	#24
Joe Pro Starter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Minneapolis	always keypad. the top number row is worthless.

04-21-2006, 07:08 AM	#26
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	I picked up the keypad when I worked at Office Max in high school and have used it primarily ever since. SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

04-21-2006, 07:37 AM	#28
Butter Coordinator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dayton, OH	Keypad. Comes from working a couple of years in a bank doing accounting... you either learn to use the calculator, or you DIE! OK, not really, but I learned to do that keypad rather quickly, and now use it on the computer as well since they're laid out the same. __________________ My listening habits

04-21-2006, 08:08 AM	#29
MikeVick7 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ron, Mexico	I'm all about the 10-key. __________________ Hattrick - Seattle Reign (224367)

04-21-2006, 08:27 AM	#30
Mustang Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wisconsin	Top row 100% of the time. That mass of keys to the right is about useless to me... __________________ You, you will regret what you have done this day. I will make you regret ever being born. Your going to wish you never left your mothers womb, where it was warm and safe... and wet. i am going to show you pain you never knew existed, you are going to see a whole new spectrum of pain, like a Rainboooow. But! This rainbow is not just like any other rainbow, its...

04-21-2006, 09:35 AM	#32
MJ4H Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hog Country	I made sure to get a laptop with a keypad on it. This was a deal-breaker to me. I would not have bought a laptop at all if I couldn't have a keypad.

04-21-2006, 02:18 PM	#33
kingfc22 Head Coach Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Morgan Hill, CA	10-key all the time __________________ Fan of SF Giants, 49ers, Sharks, Arsenal

04-21-2006, 02:22 PM	#34
Greyroofoo Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alabama	I used to use a keypad when I worked for an inventory company a couple years ago and I used to be really fast at it. SO I stick with the key pad on the keyboard.

04-21-2006, 03:15 PM	#38
AnalBumCover College Starter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: La Mirada, CA	Can anyone explain why are the numbers on a calculater positioned differently from the numbers on a telephone? __________________ ABC's Game Giveaway list Last edited by AnalBumCover : 04-21-2006 at 03:15 PM.

04-21-2006, 09:09 PM	#40
Buccaneer Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado	I learned by using sharpened reeds on papyrus.

04-21-2006, 11:47 PM	#42
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	The only time I've ever used the keypad on the side was during duels in Pirates Gold! to control my guy's attack and defense...

04-22-2006, 01:53 PM	#44
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	So far, the distribution of votes is about what I expected. I'm just unsettled that QuikSand didn't vote, considering how many questions he's asked about us. (maybe he didn't even read this poll, and no, I'm not even serious) __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor.

04-22-2006, 02:20 PM	#46
cuervo72 Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maryland	Dola - and yes, I first learned to type on a typewriter. __________________ null

04-23-2006, 11:29 AM	#48
Philliesfan980 Banned Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Exton, PA	Accountant here - so you can probably figure out what I use.

09-26-2006, 04:00 PM	#50
Izulde Head Coach Join Date: Sep 2004	I generally use the top row if I'm at home, the keypad if I'm at Vicceh's Secret on the register, though I oddly have the option of both at both places. __________________ 2006 Golden Scribe Nominee 2006 Golden Scribe Winner Best Non-Sport Dynasty: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty) Rookie Writer of the Year Dynasty of the Year: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty)

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