Typing Instructor 9

Copyright: KBkids.com 1998

Typing Instructor is one of the best (if not THE best) typing tutorials you can purchase for your home computer. This program is very well thought out and will help you increase your typing speed in a fun manner. This newest upgrade is not a substantial upgrade, however, and should be purchased by those looking for a new typing program. Those who have the last version may not be happy with the investment.

Typing Instructor is based on a travel theme. Once you sign in a as a new tourist, you can choose your destination. The main screen looks like an airport terminal. As you complete certain goals, your passport is stamped for that country. Typing Instructor will set up a lesson plan for you, or you can individualize your plan. Although there are dozens of magazine articles to choose from for your typing practice, you can also download additional material from the Individual Software web site. Regular lessons which teach you new letters and numbers will look rather familiar, and don't vary too much from program to program. The screen set up here with your speed always posted, visual clues at the bottom of the screen, and a wide array of background music make this one of the nicer lesson layouts around. You can also import your own CD music.

New features:

• Better graphing capabilities. You can now view your results for the day, week or lesson which is a nice new touch. You can also see your results graphed based on the various articles you have selected to type.
• Better individual lesson planning. You can now set up a very individualized lesson plan for yourself or your child. This plan can include repeating lessons, choice of letter presentation, control over articles which will be used for practice typing, as well as when and what games are to be played.

Two new games in the arcade:

Wild West- a typical western shooting arcade. As birds fly across the screen you must type the string of letter they carry in order to 'shoot them down.' This is rather old-fashioned arcade game play, but fun.

Xtreme Typing- A mediocre game where you select a jet ski or mountain bike and must type fast enough to help the rider jump an obstacle. Not as good as the original games. Along with a "History of Typing" presentation, you will find games which were included in older versions.These are actually better games than the new ones included in the upgrade:

Tomb Typer- a virtual maze adventure

Gone Fishin'- a ten key typing game Sea Adventure- avoid being eaten by a sea creature who is following you from behind

Cliffhanger- help your rock climber reach the top of the mountain without falling off

Flotsam Fighter- an arcade style target game where you type individual words as quickly as possible.

This is the best typing program around, but not an upgrade that is worth running out to purchase. If, however, you are looking for an excellent typing tutorial which the entire family will benefit from, this is it.

Bottom Line: A superb typing tutorial, but definitely not a significant upgrade.

Ratings: (based on KBkids.com's 4 star rating system)

Overall: 4

BrainGain: 4

FunFactor: 3

EasePlease: 4

Buy the new version, Typing Instructor Deluxe 10.0 at Amazon!