Customer Reviews

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Deluxe 17 - Old Version

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

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?!

My son is eleven and is just starting to use computers. I thought typing software would start him on a lifetime of good typing habits. I chose Mavis Beacon because of the longstanding reputation. Once we got it to work the way I wanted, the actual lessons and games work fine and he is learning to touch type nicely. The kids' setting moves at a pretty reasonable pace for his skill (minimal) and age.
The installation engine for this software looks like something left over from 1979. It gives no feedback about the only choices (full or minimal install) and is not "Mac-like" in any way. The biggest problem I had has to do with the multiuser aspect of the Mac OS X system. I wanted to install the software into the main Applications folder and then let my son use it on his parental-controlled user account. It took me nearly an hour two times to get it to play nice with both multiuser and parental limitations on my desktop and laptop machines. The problem has to do with permissions, which default to read only in all accounts but the main administrator's account. This generates error messages because it can't save your work and progress in those other accounts. I finally figured out that I had to go to the User - accountname - Shared - Boderbund folder and change permissions to let everyone have read-write access to the personal work files and folders. Just for good measure I changed the permissions on the program itself. Now everyone is happy and my son can learn to type in his own account space without having access to my work and financial records.
For a program of this popularity and age, I would expect a better installation experience. I know I'm not the only one having problems, but for us it did turn out OK in the end. My twenty years as a Mac power user came in handy. If you are just doing a straight-forward installation in your own account, it probably will work fine.

I bought this because it looked from the reviews that it was the best on the market. I have now owned it for a couple of months and I cannot say that I disagree. I have loaded this on to 2 computers so far as I purchased a new one recently and I have had no problems in loading the program as some people had mentioned. When I started practicing I confess I was a one finger typist. I found the lessons easy to understand and great at teaching me where all the keys etc. are. The games often provided a welcome break but continuing to reinforce everything you had learned at that point. The only thing now that seems to be holding me back from making this keyboard keys steam is practice and my spelling. If you want learn touch typing with fun and ease then this is the program for you!!

I have kept a copy of Mavis Beacon nearby since I first tried version 5 years ago on my old 386 DX. It did the job then, and keeps getting better. I do wish they would give it a major overhaul. The games are mostly the same, the graphics have gotten better but it is mostly the same old interface.

Now, that said, maybe it is wise not to mess with a good thing! lol

I approached this software with the basic strategy of giving it 15-20 minutes of my time as soon as I sit down at my desk in the morning. I do not have to type all day so I get rusty. This always gets me going strong again. I am no speed demon and have no need or desire to be. However, I don't use 2 fingers any more. Just commit 15 minutes a day, once or twice a day and you will be cruising along in no time.

If you have version 16, maybe even 15, there is no reason to update. If your copy is older, you will definitely want to update. Go with the DELUXE version. You can normally see it on sale in the Sunday ads for $15-$19. I got mine for $19...4 weeks later it was selling for $15 since it is X-mas time.

I definitely know what it takes when it comes to praticing for the skills of typing. Nevertheless, most of us who are learning the computer know it is a essential to know how to type, and be good at it. While there are several different typing programs that do teach you to type you way to success, no software has been able to be as popular as the longtime Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing franchise. Since it came out several years ago, it has been one of the most popular teaching tools of the trade for typists to be, or anybody who wants to easily learn the computer. The question is, can the latest edition be as goos as the earlier editions?

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Volume 17, does deliver helping anybody through the tricks of the trade know how to type with success. This edition is very well crafted, through not just the graphics, the sound as it tells you what you need to improve upon through each and every typing exercise from learning about the way to type and your positions, but it also teaches you how to type through the tricks of the trade on 10-key instructions, which can found on either the top of the computer, or on the right side of the keyboard. The software also includes some great mini-games that are also very well skilled tools that can help you from a racing game, to a simple grocery checkout game. The software is very helpful and is a essential teaching tool, and it is worth the money.

Although many people don't know exactly how to type, I absolutely suggest the Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Volume 17 for anybody who wants to learn how to perform this essential tool for typewriting, or anybody who needs to learn how to operate a computer. I've used this software a few years ago, and my typing spped went up to over 40 words a minute. If you want it to help you, I suggest you buy this program.

Graphics: B+

Sound: A 1/2-

Mini-games: B 1/2+

Price: B+

Convience: A-

Overall: B 1/2+

I purchased Mavis Beacon as part of our homeschool to teach my 8 and 10 year old boys proper typing skills. They use it 10 - 15 minutes a day and both really enjoy it. We haven't been at it long enough to know the outcome, but they are using it faithfully, love the games after doing a lesson and never complain. That's worth a lot!

the program is just ok. i can't seem to make it larger to take up the entire computer scrren. i would prefer the keyboard pic on the program to be much larger.

I bought this typing tutorial but beware if you have troubles, they don't answer at the manufacturer. You are on your own with even simple questions. This is keeping me from rating it higher. They need to respond to folks. RM

Product was delivered in a timely manner. Did not have any of the installation issues that I saw in the other reviews. Just FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS and away I went. The program does what it's supposed to do - teach you touch typing. I bought it primarily for my 10 & 9 year old as they are getting to the age were the need to get on the internet for homework & reports. I also am getting a lot of benefit out of it. The last time I tried Mavis' program was on my old IBM (486 processor running WIN 3.1). I've been a three finger typist since the days I actually used a typewriter and this IS helping me to take advantage of all ten digits without having to look at the keyboard. The games and progress updates aren't dazzlers (not a whole lot has changed since the last verison) but they too do what they are supposed to do, let the kids know how they're doing. Overall grade - MONEY WLL SPENT

This is excellently done. It does teach you to type, but it frustrates me when I can't get my speed up. (Not the programs fault)! I would recommend this product to anyone.