Customer Reviews

Educator's Choice Phonics, Reading and Writing Excelerator Grades 1- 4

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The "Excellerator" may have been an up-to-date program when it was created (which I doubt, due to the methods of changing the WIN.INI file and other equally pre-95 Windows fixes), but seven years later it most definitely is not.

"Excellerator" is presented as an up-to-date program on par with other current educational programs -- working on WIN 95/98/2000/XP. It does not!

The first two disks will not even play on a WIN 98(P-Pro 2000) and disks 3 & 4 will only play with much coaxing and re-arrangement of system specs.

If you want a program that is easy to use out of the box, here are some other major "Excellerator" flaws to look out for:

* The programs do not interface with current computer speeds and specifications. (At the very least, most people will have to lower their color resolution or the programs will not play at all.)

* If they run, the programs ONLY install in Root Directories (I tried several variations and it only accepts Root) and are totally oblivious to the concept of an "uninstall".

* They are not recognized in the "ADD/REMOVE Programs Profiles" (the only small blessing in removal --- IF you can find all of the directories, files and line changes it has made).

* The programs are unaware of registries and create & overwrite several .INI files.

* The files are created/changed without giving the installer a chance to accept or decline those changes.

All in all --- since only 2 of the 4 disks actually work -- AND those two require so much pre-installation prep-work -- these are not a good investment as compared to many newer, equally entertaining and educational programs.

THIS SOFTWARE SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET FOR MISREPRESENTATION. I purchased this software and encountered various problems. For one, the first two discs out of the set will not load correctly. In speaking with TOPICS entertainment's support team, they explained that the problem was due to a temp folder that was over crowded. I resolved the installation problem by following the advice of the tech. It eventually installed, but on to the next problem. These first two discs have a voice recognition feature which was not described on the box itself. I proceeded to set up my Microphone to work with this new found feature only to be LET down. The IBM Via Voice component will not even work with my XP. I was told by TOPICS Tech support that the programs voice recognition feature is only compatible with Win 98. What good is a program if it says on the box that it is compatible with XP and the programs features will not even work on XP. I believe misrepresentation of the programs capabilities is something every consumer ought to be aware of with this software. Now I am stuck with a program that is not 100% capable of performing.

THIS SOFTWARE SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET FOR MISREPRESENTATION. I purchased this software and encountered various problems. For one, the first two discs out of the set will not load correctly. In speaking with TOPICS entertainment's support team, they explained that the problem was due to a temp folder that was over crowded. I resolved the installation problem by following the advice of the tech. It eventually installed, but on to the next problem. These first two discs have a voice recognition feature which was not described on the box itself. I proceeded to set up my Microphone to work with this new found feature only to be LET down. The IBM Via Voice component will not even work with my XP. I was told by TOPICS Tech support that the programs voice recognition feature is only compatible with Win 98. What good is a program if it says on the box that it is compatible with XP and the programs features will not even work on XP. I believe misrepresentation of the programs capabilities is something every consumer ought to be aware of with this software. Now I am stuck with a program that is not 100% capable of performing.

This is a defective product. I had the same problems as anonymous from San Jose. I bought it for one of my grandchidren who uses XP and gave it to another who has an Apple. I don't know yet if it works on the Apple but it sure doesn't work with XP. It's not so good on 98 either. I hope that useless Via Voice doesn't screw up the machine. It wouldn't delete. What a pain!

My daughter found this software to be very helpful in learning to better understand what she is reading. She spends countless hours wrapped up in all the different activites. This was a great investment for the price and has proved to be hours of fun.

This is an educational bundle! It works on my XP! But the best thing about it is the low price! My children love Imagination Express software and we have paid over $30 for the Pyramid cd alone!!!!!

It is the same one in this deal. The ocean cd is beautiful and educational as well. It has story books, writing ideas, make your own books, swimming!
Then the Pyramids do the same thing only you are in Egypt! I highly recommend this bundle. My children love all of the programs in it.

This program really helped my daughter learn her letter sounds. It is a bit repetative, but hearing it over and over helped her remember them. We didn't have a microphone to hook up to the computer, but it works well without it anyway. Overall this program really helped my daughter.

there are a couple of you that simply based upon what you have said need to stop trying so hard to sound like you know computers. ljws from Memphis and "annonymous" from San Jose for example. Just a hint, reading PC World does not make you an expert. (I cannot believe I'm defending Windows)