As the creator of Fingerjigger, it goes without saying that I enjoy typing. After all, you don't spend chunks of your spare time making a game like Fingerjigger if typing isn't something you have an interest in.
It's rare that a day goes by in which I don't sit at a computer and type. This is because I've always enjoyed using computers, which in turn has led to me becoming a programmer - which means sitting in front of a screen and mashing away at the keys for at least 5 days a week.
The point is that typing's an important skill - and not just for me but probably for you as well. Technology is everywhere and is becoming an increasingly important part of our every day lives. And as antiquated as the humble keyboard might seem, I suspect it will be around for a good while yet.
Of course, no one's born with the ability to type. Everyone has to learn. I did, and if you haven't already, then you will too (or at the very least, you'll give it a go and perhaps come up with your own method). It's worth making the effort to learn to touch type though, because it's a useful skill and one that I take for granted these days. Given how much time I spend sat in front of a computer, it would be unthinkable if typing were a struggle.
I started out typing using what is probably the most popular style amongst novice typists... the classic hunt-and-peck. Back when I was twelve I was particularly adept at typing this way, using just the index finger of my right hand. Those other nine fingers? Who needs them, right? The speed I'd developed was particularly impressive to other kids, who'd look on in awe at the spectacle.
The big disadvantage to hunting and pecking is that you have to look at the keyboard, rather than the screen, to be sure that you're pressing the correct keys. The other disadvantage is that it doesn't look as good as touch typing, despite the impressed faces of some of the other kids in class. It's a good start but it's also exactly that - a good starting point.
My progression from hunt-and-peck typist to touch typist was to the credit of my mum (or so she'd have you believe). It was my mum who told me to place my index fingers on the guide keys ("f" and "j", for the left and right index fingers respectively). And that was the extent of my mum's input. Thanks mum. From then on I practised regularly by myself, to the point that I consider myself to be mostly self-taught (one or two pearls of wisdom aside).
My typing practice partly consisted of drilling myself on various letters. This was just before the days of the internet (yes, these dark times really existed) and so, for the purpose of practising, I'd made a word processor document in which I'd written out various sequences of letters on alternating lines. I'd then transcribe each line below itself as a way of practising my touch typing.
With time and practice I found that my touch typing skills improved. I can't really remember the exact moment I became a touch typist - probably because it wasn't an overnight "eureka" moment but instead a gradual transition, with my speed increasing and my mistakes becoming fewer and fewer.
These days, thanks to the internet, it's much easier to practice your typing. Not only are there typing games like Fingerjigger (hint hint), but you can also write emails, chat to friends over instant messaging and do all sorts of things that require typing. Even googling wasn't a thing back when I was learning to type.
From my experience, if you want to learn to touch type then ultimately what you need is a bit of patience, some time to practice and to be told where to put your fingers. So I guess at this point I should say thanks mum!
(And of course, having a teacher help you to learn is no bad thing).