[robobro]

Similar case for me!

I was never trained in typing, but after years of "hunt and peck" typing, I just intuitively learned where keys are and started instinctively learning patterns for how to type words after lots and lots of IRC as a teen. I orient my hands around the keyboard and put my fingers into position to type words in the most efficient method subconsciously. This works for me because I can type over 120WPM with no wrist pain.

Something about IRC encourages people to type quickly and I'm not sure I'd have gone from looking at the keyboard to not looking if most of my typing were in a relaxed setting.

[plorkyeran]

In a 1:1 chat or small group chat you can get away with typing slowly, but in a busy chat room full of people who type quickly you simply can’t participate in a conversation if you’re constantly lagging behind. I think the “typing…” indicator in more modern chat clients means people are more likely to pause to see what you’re trying to say, but IRC is often very much about getting your words into the channel as quickly as possible before things have moved on from the message you’re replying to.

[titusjohnson]

There was certainly an art to being able to get your jokes in at just the right time. A few seconds(messages) later and it's just not funny, so type fast!

[caeril]

> I can type over 120WPM with no wrist pain

I've observed this, myself. All the people I know with RSI issues are touch-typists. I suspect it has to do with pinky extension being a highly unnatural movement. Three fingers and thumb are all I need to type very fast, and I have never experienced anything remotely approaching hand/wrist/finger pain in over two decades of professional software development.

[lakkal]

I used to describe my typing technique as "hyper-advanced hunt-and-peck".