Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Friday Puzzler -- QWERTY
Alex Y
What is the longest common word you can type using only the keys on the top letter row of a regular typewriter keyboard?
There are probably longer technical terms, scientific names, etc, but we are looking for a common word.
Re: Friday Puzzler -- QWERTY
Sam Force
The owner of!!!
Excellent!
Alex Y
Nice job, Sam. I was not aware of that one, which ties the one I had heard, at ten letters.
The other answer is also a noun, and while the word is common, the person, place, or thing it describes is relatively uncommon anymore.
Re: Friday Puzzler -- QWERTY
Larry Barrett
proprietor (maybe this is what Sam came up with.
requite - not very long, but at least it uses the qu on the top row.
Re: Friday Puzzler -- QWERTY
Alex Y
Yes. I read proprietor as Sam's intention.
Hint to another answer
Alex Y
Sam, and later Larry, are to be congratulated on getting "proprietor", which matched for length the one I saw where this was presented, the another word claimed as "the longest", not "one of the longest".
A hint about the other word has already been hidden in this thread.
The other answer
Alex Y
is in the question!
Re: The other answer
Ed in Leaside
Let me guess typewriter ... without switching from my Dvorak keyboard layout. ;-)
Correct!
Alex Y
Wow! Dvorak keyboard! Haven't heard that mentioned in years, but always figured it was kind of like Beta videotape -- a superior solution that couldn't overcome the momentum of its technologically inferior competitor.
Just out of curiosity, did you learn to type on a
Dvorak, or did you make the switch from QWERTY, and how hard was the switch?
Re: Dvorak
Ed in Leaside
"Just out of curiosity, did you learn to type on a Dvorak, or did you make the switch from QWERTY, and how hard was the switch?"
I didn't start to learn to type until 40, so nothing was, or even is, deeply embedded. I found out about different layouts from the 'teaching typing' program I was using. Of course, starting as a hunt & peck typist, I began with QWERTY as on the older boards you couldn't swap the keys around. I honestly think I'd be a better typist today if I'd started with Dvorak, because I wouldn't have been able to hunt & peck on QWERTY.
I switched the at-home keyboard over about 10 years ago, when I was 55, and no I didn't find it too difficult. I was going to say it's somewhat like learning another language, but really I think it's more learning Yoda-speak. Everything is the same, just switched around. Or should I say: Just switched around, everything is the same. Or just say "muscle memory" so yes easy. :-)
The at-the-workshop keyboard is still QWERTY. I'd switch that one too but, I'm in print graphics, sometimes a client needs the board. I've a newer Mac going into the workshop in a few weeks and I will install it with a hardwired Dvorak board & wireless QWERTY for clients. Actually it's really easy to swap on-the-fly on a Mac with an 'input menu on the menu bar' it's just one click.
That's probably more than you were asking ...
BTW, I was gifted a broken right wrist (dominant) Friday afternoon and typed this with my left. There are Dvorak boards for single handed typists, left or right, so I may set one of those up for 4-8 weeks.
Re: Dvorak
Alex Y
Sorry about your wrist. I broke mine in February very minor break, and in a part of the wrist that gets good blood flow,so I was back to full usage pretty quickly. Hope yours goes as well.