Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 12 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm a long time Mavis fan - from version 5 on. I am a fairly fast and accurate typist, and much of the credit should go to the authors of Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. However, it could be better.
Pro:
If you are an inexperienced typist, you will learn where to place your hands on the keyboard, which fingers do what, and how they work together. You will learn all of the symbols, numbers, and accessory keys. The diagnostic capabilities of the software will target lessons to your specific deficiencies.
The lessons are geared to either children, teens, or adults. Different users have different needs, and Mavis is at least sensitive to differences.
Con:
Little has changed for many versions, and some of the changes that have been made have not been for the better. For example, in earlier versions, you could see very detailed diagnostic info about your typing. Now, this info is watered down a bit.
The on screen font is ambiguous. "i" looks like "l" and "1" - a problem that is annoying when your typing accuracy is being evaluated.
The interface isn't clear for navigation. Menu options that should always be accessible require you to be in the correct mode.
When the software is installed, it does not give you the chance for a custom or advanced installation. You will find that Mavis is running in the background, and that a shortcut for AOL is on your desktop.
Although there are custom options in the program, they sometimes affect the lessons themselves. For example, if you do not want Mavis to read the instructions out loud, you can turn off the sound. However, when a dictation lesson is offered, you hear nothing.
No Dvorak training is available. This would be neat.
So, should you get this software if you are a "hunter/pecker?" Absolutely. Will you always be satisfied? Possibly not. Is there anything better? I don't think so.

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Boost your keyboarding skills with the #1 best selling typing software! Customized lessons become more challenging as your skills improve. Measures your progress with speed tests!

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Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Deluxe 17 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm 36 and never learned how to type. I figured I'd try and since the Mavis Beacon series seem to be the most popular, I got this one, despite some reviews describing installation problems.
Sure enough, when I installed it, it wouldn't run. You basically need to set it up to run in Win98 or Win2000 compatibility mode, at 640x480 resolution. Reboot, and Voila!
So it's been 3 days, and even though my speed dropped quite a bit with learning the proper fingers, I'm typing properly. And the speed is coming back fast.
The classes are very well designed, it's actually pretty amazing how efficient it is, and fun on top of it.
The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is the compatibility issues. How hard can it be for their engineers to update their engine?!


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The leader in typing tutorial software for 11 years running, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing v.17 is the ONLY typing software delivering the customized training you need in a motivating, engaging format. Work at your own pace with lesson content that keeps you interested. This flexible program is an ideal choice for any would-be fluent typist, including students, email enthusiasts and office professionals. If you use the keyboard, you'll benefit from Mavis Beacon!

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Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Platinum 20 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This program is MUCH IMPROVED! If you'll see my review of Mavis Beacon 17 I believe it was, you can see where I pointed out this programs flaws. However, these have all been resolved and this program has become satisfactory in every way in my opinion.
Mavis Beacon 20 (I have only tried the platinum edition) also has a new practice feature which I haven't found anywhere else, where you can choose from a huge selection of articles where you just type right along with the text while the text you type appears in the lines in between the text to type (no looking halfway down the screen to see mistakes), errors appear in red and make a little noise to let you know that they have occurred. This is a great practicing tool for after you learn all the keys and want to stay sharp. I should also add that these articles are legitimate or legitimate style articles that are actually interesting and fun to type (such as outtakes from Ben Franklin's biography, to scientific articles, many topics) unlike those boring, fake ones that usually are in place on typing programs (which make you feel like you're back in elementary school) and you can even import your own text.
This has really been turned into a very fine program and out of all the programs out there (I've tried alot of them) this one without question gets the highest recommendation. All features have become very practical and user friendly. There's also a ten key learning portion of the program (as with the older versions as well) The interface also has been spiffed up very nicely with pleasing graphics a whole array of new and actually fun games. Bravo to Broderbund for setting the bar to new heights in this program.
---------------UPDATE------------------
I've got to admit, I learned all of the keys typing on mavis beacon 17, but I doubt that it's any harder on MB 20. The main thing that was really lacking on MB 17 (besides being a junky program) was that you couldn't repeat lessons, which you can now do on MB 20. If you're looking for a program with no small glitches but is much more boring and with less features, then you should look into TypingMaster Pro which you can demo, which is a fine program by the way and If MB is too difficult for you then TypingMaster teaches two keys at a time, however I can't remember how many MB would jump up at a time, however you could always just repeat lessons until you get it. Overall if I was having to spend money on something that I was planning to use for a long time, I would pick Mavis Beacon any day simply because of the practice feature, which I use EVERYDAY. On any other program, after you've learned all the keys, the only thing you can do to practice is to take the final tests over and over again. Unless you go right into a daily regimine of heavy typing, then you will get rusty real fast and this feature makes for an easy and interesting way to stay sharp. You can try a flash demo of MB 20 from their web site. Also, There's an annoying feature on mavis beacon where a hand is displayed on the screen typing the keys as you type, this can be turned off in the options. If you look, there's actually not a whole lot out there to choose from when it comes to typing programs, but I've tried about every one I could find, and this would easily be my choice. If people who don't like it find a more useful program, then they should list it in the comments for this review. I'll finish by saying that TypingMaster might be a little easier to learn on, but I own both of them and still use MB everyday and deleted TypingMaster off of my computer a long time ago. It may all depend on how you want to use it.
---------------UPDATE------------------
The lessons plan showing how many new keys per lesson can be viewed in the screenshots shown above on this page.

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Maximize productivity with the #1 typing authority - Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. Improve keyboarding speed and accuracy with detailed assessments, customized lessons and games in 2 weeks guaranteed!

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Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 9.0 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)About three or four years ago, my parents forced me to sit down and work with this program until I could type fast. Thank goodness they did! Now I enjoy computer programming, creative writing, and surfing the Internet at a much faster speed.
I don't have the speed of a professional typist, obviously, but including errors my typing speed is on average over one hundred words per minute. Parents - if you want to help your kids out, get them this or a later version of this program. I'm not in high school yet, but I'm already enjoying the benefits of getting my work done well and efficiently.

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Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is a great way to learn and improve keyboarding skills.Adaptable to advanced typists or novices, Mavis Beacon uses colorful graphs, tables, and eight arcade-style games to guide your learning--while you have fun.

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Typing Instructor Deluxe 17 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We have 5 children and all of our children have learned or are learning to type with this program. The interface is easy to manage and all levels can find something to work on here. My kids like the games that come with the program, and I like the customizable nature of the setting...music or no music, texts that they provide or I can input my own.
Right now, we are using this with our 14yo, 13yo, 10yo and 7yo. The 4yo gets to try it while sitting on my lap. Our 13yo is approaching 100wpm and the other children are progressing nicely, too.
We are using this on Windows Vista and have not had any problems, even though Vista is not mentioned in the product information.

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Typing Instructor Deluxe 17
The Fun & Exciting Way to Improve Your Typing!

Typing Instructor Deluxe is an award-winning product unlike any other. It's packed with just the right mixture of education, entertainment, and motivation to quickly improve your typing skills.

The ultimate typing teacher and the first product of its kind that combines powerful typing instruction, a variety of personalized typing plans, dynamic learning, selectable travel themes, and ten action-packed, multi-level games that keep you entertained while you improve your typing speed and accuracy.
Proven lessons and tests help you develop your typing skills.

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Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 15 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Especially if you are a beginner. There's no manual, no documentation, the lesson plans don't include drills, and the onscreen moving fingers on the keys are too opaque -- you can't tell which finger is on the desired key. Some simple coding to change the color of the finger along with the key would be really helpful.
The beginning lessons are too advanced (even if you tell the program you are in the children's age/lesson range,) and omit the very basic instructions that a true beginner needs. Add a few annoying installation quirks (manual placement of desktop icons, and a "personal coach" that automatically runs in the background) and you're left with software that is a total waste of time and cash.
The whole program is bulky and clumsy -- and if you are using Windows XP, expect to see momentary freeze-ups of your monitor as the program lurches in and out of execution.

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With Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 15, you'll perform better whenever you're sitting in front of a keyboard!Track your accomplishments and stay motivated with tests, progress reports, and special certificates Develop the essential typing skills you need for school and career success, with a little help from Mavis Beacon!

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