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* [http://www.broderbund.com/c-33-mavis-beacon.aspx Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing by Encore] (Windows and Mac editions)
* [http://www.broderbund.com/c-33-mavis-beacon.aspx Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing by Encore] (Windows and Mac editions)
* [http://www.mackiev.com/mavis/index.html Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing by Software MacKiev] (Mac OS X edition)
* [http://www.mackiev.com/mavis/index.html Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing by Software MacKiev] (Mac OS X edition)
* [http://www.typekids.com Mavis Beacons largest competitor]


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[[Category:Advertising characters]]

Revision as of 07:42, 30 August 2014

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing
Developer(s)The Software Toolworks (now part of Brøderbund)
Stable release
20 (cross-platform)
Operating systemMac OS X, Microsoft Windows
LicenseProprietary
Websitehttp://mavisbeacon.com/

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is an application software program for teaching touch typing.

History

The typing program was initially released in late 1987 by The Software Toolworks and has been published regularly ever since. It was originally created by independent computer programmer Charles Haymond. Editions of Mavis Beacon are currently published by Encore Software (hybrid Mac and Windows) and Software MacKiev (Mac OS X only) and are available throughout the retail sales world. An early version supported both QWERTY and the alternative Dvorak Simplified Keyboard layout. Later versions supported only QWERTY until the 2011 Ultimate Mac Edition from Software MacKiev which returned full Dvorak keyboard lessons to the product. Earlier versions were made for Apple II, Commodore 64, Atari 400/800 (version 1 only), Apple IIGS, Atari ST, Mac OS, Windows, Palm OS (version 16), and Amiga systems. The current Windows and Mac versions are published under the Brøderbund trademark by both Encore and Software MacKiev.

Features

A screemshot from the Window version of Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing showing a typing game that features car racing.
A typing game in Mavis Beacon featuring car racing (Windows version.)

The program includes a number of speed tests and constantly tracks the user's words-per-minute typing speed. It also includes a number of typing games of which some versions have been included since the first release. (The 2011 Ultimate Mac Edition for Mac OS X, published by Software MacKiev, also includes two-player competitive typing network games, integration with iTunes, Dvorak keyboard support, practice typing song lyrics, RSS news feeds and classic novels.) A certificate of achievement can be printed by the user upon the completion of tests.

This program is also used in many schools and homes to improve typing skills.

Name

"Mavis Beacon" is not a real person.

The original photo of Mavis Beacon was of Caribbean-born model Renee L'Esperance. L'Esperance was a major proponent for literacy within the CARICOM, and offered her visage to the product to promote reading in English speaking countries. She was introduced to Les Crane, the former talk-show host, while he was shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. Crane, who was then a partner in Software Toolworks, invented the sobriquet.

Mavis Beacon's first name was taken from Mavis Staples, lead vocalist for the Staple Singers. The surname derives from beacon, as in a light to guide the way.[1]

Reception

Compute! favorably reviewed the program in 1989, stating that children, adults, and experienced typists would find it useful, and citing its support of Dvorak training.[2]

References

  1. ^ Macklin, William (November 19, 1995). "Supertypist Mavis Beacon Is A Creation Of Marketing". Seattle Times.
  2. ^ Randall, Neil (January 1989). "Mavis Makes It Easy". Compute!. p. 70. Retrieved 10 November 2013.