Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 16 [Old Version]

Customer Reviews

I have been a happy user for many years and versions

2008-03-30
I was already a very speedy typist when I bought Mavis Beacon for my husband, and for fun I tried the programme too: well, it immediately spotted my weak point: symbols and numbers (I rarely have to use them!), and earnestly presented me a lesson on those. I was mortified and I laughed, so started using it myself. This is one of the wonderful features: the programme sees where your weaknesses are, and in the next lessons concentrates on those. Then my son grew up, and started using it, then my daughter was born, and now she's almost 11 and has also started using it... of course it's a different version now, the third I own. I find it as brilliant as it was, although I must say that the changes from v.9 to v.16 are not that many. But then, if a thing is good as it is, why change it?
You have to be humble and patient, and Mavis will be very patient and very encouraging, even if you make a hundred mistakes: she will just say "OK, you need some more work on these keys. Let's begin a lesson with new combinations, and you will soon learn them".
An advice. If you want to see results, follow the programmes guidelines, don't rush to do the games (as my son does), just go through the lessons. You can easily repeat a lesson whenever you want, if you succeed at a test but still you don't feel confident (or if you succeeded by cheating, i.e. looking at the keyboard).
The interface is pleasant and relaxing, the music too, and gives you rhythm (but you can turn it off if it gets on your nerves, and put your own music or no music at all - or a metronome, if you so wish!).
A very nice feature is the keyboard with the moving fingers at the bottom of the screen (the key to be used is highlighted every time to help you see where it is). So you can start by not looking at your own keyboard and hands, just looking at the one on the screen, and then as you learn the keys don't look at anything but the text.
Who cares about the differences in spelling? You just have to copy what you see! If what you write beneath the examples is correct, it will be blue, errors are in red. You don't have to press "enter", it automatically goes to the next line. After completing the text, your WPM (word per minute)speed is measured, and then adjusted according to your mistake percentage, so that you are not tempted to type quickly but carelessly like a reviewer here who almost gave me a headache. Accuracy is far more important, and you are also encouraged to type rhythmically, with a steady rhythm. I had learned this in typing school, decades ago (in 1973, if you must know!), and I know how important is for developing speed.
The games in Mavis Beacon are great fun, although some can be stressful as you have to avoid sharks or crashing your iceberg etc... My children love creature creation, where by typing you can create fantastic creatures.
A useful video tutorial on how to sit correctly and align your arms and hands on the table for ergonomic work is also included.
OK, now on the funny note: Mavis Beacon's face gets whiter with each new version. Does this make for better sales?
I live in Greece and I had a font problem some years ago, which made use of the programme impossible (my font didn't align with their font, and everything I typed was marked as error). I e-mailed customer service. They were very quick to reply and helpful, although what they said didn't solve the problem - it was due to something else, I found out.
I recommend this programme to anybody. Yes, having British or French or Italian keyboard makes it useless, I agree. (I didn't have this problem because in Greece we use American/Greek keyboard).

Great For All Ages

2008-01-18
This typing program is the best I have ever used. I have been trying many typing games to learn how to type and this is the only one that has worked. I am now 11 and can type with ease. I recommend this for all ages.

Fantastic

2007-10-22
I love this program. My daughter is making very good progress and loves to use it too. I would recommend this to anyone that wants to learn how to type and not be bored.

Get only the Deluxe

2007-08-28
There is practically no substantial difference between version 15 and 16 UNLESS you get the deluxe version of 16. Then you have a few more games. I did find 16 for $4. but had to pay $5 shipping/handling for each copy (even though it came in one package!). They should just put the price at $9. and I wouldn't have been so irritated. Still, don't bother getting version 16 unless you get the Deluxe, IMHO.

Has been a big help.

2007-08-15
The Mavis system has been a big help for me. I started off with horrendous typing skills but over the last year of so they have greatly improved. Thank you so much.

Typing

2007-05-10
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 16 helps you perform better at work and online, with this simple guide to better keyboarding! Explore 30 different lessons and perfect typing techniquefor faster and more efficient work.

Does not work

2007-05-04
My Treo 700P locks up every time I try to install it. I found this tech note, not in Broderbund tech support, but in Encore's (parent corp.) web site: "There is a known incompatability issue with the Palm Tungsten series and the palm software installed by Mavis Beacon 16." This applies to the Treo 700P as well.

Also I could not get it to install on a rudimentary Windows system.

Beware of this software. But I know it is a good teaching method because I had a much older version.

I will explore version 17 and try to contact there tech support first.

Great product

2007-02-07
Great tutorial for typing. Interactive program to help learn placement of fingers.

THE BEST IT COULD BE, AND BETTER

2006-12-14
My three-year-old is now typing. He doesn't even know his letters. My four-year-old is typing at 5 words/minute after only a couple of hours. She only knows some of her letters.
I can't overestimate my pleasure. I have raised my speed from 24 wpm to 55 wpm in just 3 days (using normal paragraphical content) and I have increased my symbols speed from 3 wpm to 25 wpm.
You don't even know how much you need to use this. It is great for any child of any age, and Adults as well.
Your precious time is wasting. You will be surprised at how FAST you will improve. Have fun and good luck!

Are there any other Network Typing programs out there?

2006-11-23
One reviewer says that Mavis Beacon 16 hasn't discovered Windows. I concur. Running 16 Network on Windows 2000 P4 and it runs dog slow. What is it doing? Re-sort a progress report with 25 students by clicking on a column tab and the program goes out to lunch. Not to mention that it takes over the computer like it was DOS (maybe it is running DOS). It has some odd launcher program. THe instructions are measly and miserly. No instructions on how to setup on a network until you read the technical notes. Wrong place buddy. That stuff belongs in the primary docs, like a Getting Started section. I agree "run from this". Find something better.