Adventureman has made an excellent point. I would agree with him and begin with that which is harder.

To practice handwriting Russian is better than using the computer. It's because to practice handwriting Russian is harder than using the computer. And in this case the harder, the better because attention concentrates in this labour, memory is intense and all cerebral activity uses the brain in the direction of correct, right and accurate handwriting Russian words. In this species of labour the visual memory and, the most principal, the muscular memory function. When you use the Russian keyboard the muscular memory don't function! The best is handwrite and say aloud. Then the hearing memory function too. But to use the computer is also useful.

Hello Dan! Look at this link http://images.google.com.tr/imgres?imgurl=http://languages.uchicago.edu/NativeHand/CyrillicQuickly/images/C.jpg&imgrefurl=http://languages.uchicago.edu/NativeHand/CyrillicQuickly/handwriting/C.html&h=250&w=425&sz=37&hl=tr&start=30&um=1&tbnid=GcPDRHjj5odF4M:&tbnh=74&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3DRussian%2Bhandwriting%26start%3D18%26ndsp%3D18%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dtr%26sa%3DN Hope it will help U with wrighting.

Hi Dan! I've got pre-intermediate English and looking for a partner to improve informal speech. Do you mind to talk with me by Skype occasionary? It's no problem that you've just started learning Russian - it's that what i need! (As I think.....:). If we agree on this - add me to your friends and write the message on my board. Or answer me on this groupboard.

i think, computer typing is better of typical writing. But firstly you should to know "russian keyboard", and try to remember all russian buttons in keyboard. I know some programs for fast-tryping, if you wish, i can find theirs names.