bit-tech Shopping: Broderbund Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 17 Deluxe

• Microsoft Windows 2000
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Microsoft Windows 98 SE
• Microsoft Windows ME
• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Days

Strengths: Simple interface; quick startup; entertaining.

Weaknesses: User controls aren't extensive.

Summary: Mavis is hard to beat when it comes to typing training software. After just a few minutes of typing in a "quiz" mode the software determines what you need to improve and continues the typing drills at exactly your level. Speed and accuracy is constantly measured and lessons are adjusted as you improve, with feedback given constantly. Game modes are mixed in with the lessons to mix it up and keep it somewhat fun. I was not looking for a comprehensive typing training program -- I just wanted to improve my day-to-day typing skills, a few minutes a day, with a simple to use program. Mavis fits this role perfectly. Highly recommended!

Rating: 6

Time with product: 5 Days

Strengths: A good typing tutor for adults

Weaknesses: Not so fun. Not good enough to attract attention of kids.

Summary: this is a good product to teach you typing. It works and many people know it works. however, I bought this for my kid. It's not designed as funny for the kids. In fact, it's really boring for little kids. I hope they can add more fun to the product in the next version.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 3 Days

Strengths: It catches my weakness as a beginner. Explains very clearly how to type properly.

Weaknesses: Games are not interesting to me. I easily get bored while using it.

Summary: It catches my weakness a a beginner. It tells me that I was poor on capital letters. Actually, I was only poor on left hand capital letters. If does not give that distinguish, and force me to go through the practice of right hand cap letters as well. Only if it can be more targetted on my weakness. The games are rather boring. The simple typing games I used to play in college without all the fancy graphic are more interesting than this. In general, it is a good tool to start learning typing. But if you already at intermediate level, try something else.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2

Strengths: nice exercises

Weaknesses: not many games

Summary: Mu speed isn't bad however I don't type in the correct technical way. So, I looked around and found nice reviews about it. This is the deluxe version. I found it easy to use. I am an adult so I don't know how much it would be useful or entertaining for kids as there are many games sort of things however I definitely recommend for adults.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 30 Days

Strengths: Good for teaching adults how to type.

Weaknesses: Not fun enough for kids to keep interest.

Summary: I think this is a pretty good program for teaching someone how to type properly. Unfortunately, the "games" and the product in general was not interesting enough to get my 12 year old or my 9 year old to stick with the program. I even offered to pay my kids to complete the basic alphabet lessons and they quit. I think this program is great for adults, but you will need another program for children - who could really benefit since they use the computer so often.