Comments on: GeekFu #56 - Everything I Learned

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:23:47 +0000

Just see if this online reading speed test may give you some tips on reading more. It can be finished within 2 minutes.

By: ????? ????

????? ???? — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:27:54 +0000

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فلاش توون العاب فلاش خيالية …

By: Bill K

Bill K — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 02:47:58 +0000

Hello Mur,

Just a quick note to say thanks for podcasting!

I, much as you describe, buy books that I just never get the time to read. In my geekdom, the “heaviest” reading I do nowadays are technical manuals or inter-office documentation (yes, I am a slave to “The Man”.)

The closest I come to reading for leisure is listening to a book on tape, but even then, the experience isn’t the same because I’m not required to focus on the the words or the message.

I look forward to more of your podcasts, and reading your column in Knights of the Dinner Table.

Take care!

Bill

By: raequel

raequel — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 17:33:34 +0000

another great show! and i will claim responsibility for the germ warfare during podcastercon. if anything i’ll take the blame for getting nate and di sick. but also i feel inferior…i’m only up to 70 feeds now.

By: jennifer lyn

jennifer lyn — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 17:45:18 +0000

lovely to know someone else out there loved hero and the crown enough to wear it out!
still read it every year.

thanks for spreading the inspiration!

By: Tim King

Tim King — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:35:34 +0000

Hi, Mur. If you want to read more, I can share with you my experience. When I started my blog/podcast (uh, blogcast?), it became clear to me that I needed to read faster and write faster. The key to writing faster you’ve probably already discovered. You just have to keep writing, keep typing, don’t stop, don’t edit, don’t think about what you’re writing, and just let the words pour out. You can always go back and edit later after you have all the pieces in place.

Reading fast is similar. In fact, I learned to read faster before I learned to write faster. (And I’m still learning.) Everything changed for me when someone pointed me at this on-line reading-speed test: http://www.readingsoft.com/. I haven’t tried their software, but I have tried their suggestions. Previously, I had read in the 200 wpm range on-screen, with about 60% comprehension, which is about average. Now, I read at 470 wpm with at least as good comprehension.

Basically, the key is not to think about how the words sound, but to look at and recognize groups of words as semantic units. I found it was quite easy to do so, as long as I can concentrate on the text, free my mind from all distractions. As an example, I was able to read Kate Wilhelm’s Storyteller in two lunchtimes and evenings, while working 8 hours a day and taking care of the kids and all that stuff. Then I wrote a review of it, which is proof that I actually understood it. (Great book, BTW. Thanks for putting me on to it.)

The disadvantage is that I have to take frequent breaks to keep my brain from exploding.

But I am more able to keep up, now, with numerous emails and 84 blog feeds (and growing) and all the other stuff. Ironically, the problem I’m facing now is that I don’t have enough time for movies and computer games. Ugh.

-TimK