| Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Platinum V20 (Mac/PC) | 
 enlarge
| From: Avanquest Software
Category: Software
List Price: £29.99
Buy New: £19.97
You Save: £10.02 (33%)
New (7) from £17.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 37
Platforms: Mac Os X Leopard, Windows Vista, Macintosh, Mac Os X, Windows Xp, Mac Os X Intel
Media: CD-ROM
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.4 x 1.3
EAN: 5016488118378
ASIN: B001AZ7Q10
Release Date: July 20, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
Solid software, but nothing exciting November 26, 2008
This is simple software on which to learn to type.
I initially learned on version 8. This version 20 is a step up, but not a big one.
Given the advances in computer power and game play in the last decade, it is a real shame they have not worked those changes into the software. It is painfully dull, even in the "games" sections.
However, if you want some simple software to learn touch-typing, then this is a safe bet.
 Improve your typing and get more done! November 26, 2008
I wish I'd invested in a program like this years ago.
Up until now, I've always used one finger (maybe two if I was feeling ambitious and didn't mind all the mistakes!) to type and it's incredibly slow. No wonder I hated writing letters and emails - because everything took way too long!
Learning to type with Mavis Beacon is fun! Ok, maybe not as much fun as playing on the Wii, XBox 360 or PS3 (let's be serious here!) but considering the nature of the software, it's certainly something that you don't mind doing every day. It's a wonderful way to learn to type.
My typing is progressing every day now and as I get faster and more accurate it means that I'm enjoying doing a lot more on the computer then I've ever done before. I also get way more done during the day just because it really is improving my typing skills.
I'm also pleased it installs on both Macs and PCs because we have both and it means that I can use it at home or when I'm out and about with my MacBook. Only confusing thing is of course that Mac and PC keyboard layouts are a bit different but that's just something you have to get used to if you have both.
Easy to install, easy to use and I like the fact I can see definite improvements in such a short time. Excellent software.
Not perfect but a big step forward from Version 16 November 26, 2008
This is a good program which will introduce you to touch typing and then allow you, with perseverance, to progress to pretty well any level you desire. The program monitors your progress and tailors the lessons appropriately.
Having used earlier versions of this program, the Amazon Vine Program offered a good opportunity to review the latest incarnation. I was immediately impressed by version 20. It seems noticeably faster to load than version 16 and I found the layout to be much clearer.
One of the improvements is the provision of a 'curriculum map.' In the past you followed the lessons which Mavis provided with little idea of where you were going or how far you had come. Now you can see a schematic diagram which shows which lessons have been completed, the one you are currently working on and where you go from here. As always, the program provides statistics to show how long you have worked at your typing, keys which you are proficient with, your average speed and so on. Currently my typing speed is being displayed as a negative number - so there does appear to be a bit of a bug here.
The information provided for this product proudly announces that there are 12 games. There actually appear to be 16! And, reading through the help screens, informs you that your computer must have Adobe Reader in order for the program to run. Apart from this, it does seem to cater for both PC (XP and Vista) and Mac (though it is worth noting that the bonus disk with the Microsoft Word tutorial will only run under Windows).
In my experience, Mavis Beacon has always had a few quirks. However, this seems to be the most stable version which I have used. It is also worth noting that the program shows the '@' and '#' keys to be above the number keys '2' and '3' respectively. By the time you reach these symbol keys, you should be able to easily accommodate this.
The other question which needs considering is how much one should expect to pay for a program like this. For me, a price in the 10-15 range, would seem fair. The typing tutorial itself is very good. With perseverance, it should lead towards becoming a competent typist.
Should Greatly Improve Your Typing November 24, 2008
I would describe my typing as intermediate but a little rusty from not working for six years. If you already have good keyboard skills - by good you ought to be typing with all fingers and looking at the screen - then this program will improve your speed and accuracy. If you are a two finger typist and tend to be looking at the keyboard whilst you type then you will probably get fairly irritated by Mrs Beacon and start off with much slower results than you normally would type. You have to be disciplined in that you keep your fingers on the `home' keys and start off with the `Lesson Area' of the program so that you really familiarise yourself with the keyboard without looking at it. The temptation is to quickly move on to the typing games, which is fine if you are just trying to improve speed and accuracy if you can already type, but all the games require your eyes to be on the screen otherwise you die or crash, so you really need to bottom the basics in the `Lesson Area'
The CD was very easy to load onto the computer - it more or less does it itself - and the program itself is very user friendly and easy to understand. The graphics are bright and brash, if a little childish, and of the sixteen different typing games there's bound to be at least half a dozen that become your favourites.
Great. November 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
To begin with I wasn't to sure if I would find this
product enjoyable or not, as I have never used anything
similar before.
I have now used this product for a couple of weeks,
and I must say I have found it fun to use, and I have
definately improved my typing skills.
I Highly recommend it.
|
|
|
