More updates and some out loud thinking:
I have learned all objects, but some take some time to trigger. I find it difficult to surpress my tendency to read the numbers as words (like I did in my previous memory methods) and when I do manage this, I realize how much of a handicap it is to speak Dutch; In the Dutch language 34 for example is pronounced as vierendertig, literally four and thirty. This makes typing numbers (real or in my imagination) really akward.
combining 2 systems
So, I imagined it would be a good idea to combine the New memory system for fast translation of numbers (out of all the number to word methods I have tried, this one feels the most natural to me) with the number key board method; and therefore change the number keyboard into a letter keyboard. So the number 0 to 9 are replaced by o, l, n, m, k, s, b, t, f and g.
linking words with the objects
The objects I chose for my new system are not related to the words I get when I “read” the numbers, but it seems that when I make some kind of logical connection between those words and the objects it will only enhance my performance.
Some final speculations on this hybrid method
When I"m at work and I want to do a stock inquery of an 8 digit item that I got from the “lost and found” area I sometimes make a mistake, like:
item number 78341948 is supposed to be translated as tafmaklagkaf, but when I walk to the computer the final part of the number may change in kag (49, not 48). The (number/letter) key board pattern, however has a completely different feel to it, so I think it may possibly act as an error correction mechanism.
I’m guessing that the combination of reading numbers as words and at the same time translating into key board patterns will improve my ability to hold a large number of digits in my short term memory. But time will tell.