WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF THUMB TYPING

You may be wondering how you can actually type on such on a small keyboard using a traditional touch typing position for your fingersyou can't. Instead, you have to use a technique called thumb typing. Thumb typing is essentially using only one or two thumbs to do all of the typing. Your other fingers are just used to hold the handheld.

There are three ways to position your hands to thumb type, and you may have done them all naturally without thinking about it. In fact, you will probably switch between the three styles often depending on what you are doing.

The first way is the two-thumb typing position. This position is the most effective for composing a message quickly because it uses both thumbs for typing which gives quick access to any keys you need. However, if you use this typing position, you cannot use the trackwheel to navigate. Figure 1.4 shows an example of this position.

Figure 1.4. The two-thumbed typing position.

The second way is the two-handed navigating position. This way puts your right thumb on the trackwheel for quick navigation. The other thumb is available for typing, but it is not the most efficient position. Still, it is a good compromise between the need to navigate and the need to type. Figure 1.5 shows an example of this position.

Figure 1.5. The one-thumbed navigating position.

The third way is the one-handed position. This way uses only your right hand to hold the device and your right thumb for both navigating and typing, shown in Figure 1.6. This position can be pretty awkward at times, but it is the only real way to use your handheld when you need your other hand for another tasksuch as driving. Now, I don't recommend this approach at all, but I know you will be tempted to experiment and it's best to show you the right way to do something you shouldn't be doing.

Figure 1.6. The one-handed position.

You may see pictures of people trying to use their index finger to type while holding the device in the other hand. While this may look good in a picture, it just doesn't work practically. Go ahead and try it and you will see I'm right.