Those who use “asdf” as a “keysmash” are probably touch typists, McCulloch says. Writers who grew up on typewriters instead of keyboards or who are not touch typists might use “keysmashes” like ...

The middle row of the keyboard (starting ASDF) corresponds to white keys, while the top letter row (starting QWERTY) relates to sharp and flat black keys.

“ASDF" and "JKL:” aren’t just the keys our fingers rest upon, they’re our friends. Fine, that may be a bit much, but we have all undoubtedly come a long way from typing our very first letters.

Many schools aren’t teaching typing anymore because they figure students already are proficient at using keyboards. That’s a wasted opportunity.