[SCCC] CW Keyboarding Question

[RGrubic at aol.com]

I'm now starting to practice copying cw on a keyboard. I'm starting very  
slow--one letter at a time (using the FISTS K7QO CW CD from the 
beginning)--but  I'm progressing very, very fast because I can already type and I know 
the  code pretty well. After reviewing which fingers to use on the numbers (I 
never  did type numbers regularly), I'm finding that typing numbers is 
slowing me  down--hitting the wrong row sometimes, missing the zero for the nine, 
slowing  down on the 4-5 reach to hit the right one, etc. I'm NOT looking 
at the  keyboard.
 
My question for those of you who operate in contests at a high QSO rate and 
 type onto a keyboard: what tips do you have for me specifically in typing  
the numbers accurately--other than practice, practice, practice. If there  
are any tips to be had, I'd like to hear them. I fear, though, that the key  
(pun intended) lies in practice, practice, practice (like ultimately with 
RUFZ  cw trainer).
 
When you type, do you look at the logging software screen or off into space 
 just off the screen and KNOW whether you've hit the right key or not. I 
guess  you'd need to look and be sure your cursor is in the right window so 
you  could Tab around at times. Making and correcting mistakes with the  
Backspace key is also problematic. It take time and has to be executed  smoothly. 
Did you go through all these steps too? I'd like to hear from  non-touch 
typist too--the hunt and peck group if is there is one. What  typing tips 
could you pass on to an interested ham--even other than regarding  numbers?
 
Thank you very much in advance. I've always gotten some good responses  
from this SCCC group.  

73,
Bob,  NC6Q