2. WordBank File. The fully enabled WordBank file comes with about 12,500 words installed; it can hold as many words as you have room for on your hard disk. You can add or delete words to this file, using the editing tool. WordBank generates random prompt-words in Module 3.
3. WordBank2 file. This is the 50,000 word spelling-checker for Module 1 and should not be opened, altered, or worried about.
4. GraphBank File. The fully enabled GraphBank comes with more than one-hundred practice paragraphs (seventy in 'Jr); you can also add many more paragraphs of your own, using the editing tool. GraphBank randomly generates prompt paragraphs in Module 2.
5. ErrWdBank File. ErrWdBank holds the words you mistype when in Module 3. It can be used when you select "ErrorWdBank" in the "Options" menu. When in use it prompts only words you've previously mistyped in Module 3. The bank remembers errors from session to session. Erasing ErrWdBank can also be done from the "Options" menu. Similarly, if you drag the ErrWdBank to the trash, a new, empty ErrWdBank will be created the next time you use Module 3 in TypingTutor. (Be careful to NOT throw away WordBank, WordBank2, or GraphBank by mistake; these three files will NOT be automatically replaced. Of course, if you retain the MacTypingTutor disk received in the mail, you can re-install WordBank or GraphBank should you make such a mistake).
6. EditingTool. The EditingTool is a self-explanatory button-driven auxiliary application that enables you to customize the WordBank and GraphBank; with it you can easily add or delete items to either file.
7. GraphSpacer. The GraphSpacer is a self-explanatory auxiliary application that enables you to change the number of spaces between GraphBank sentences. It can set these spaces to one or two.
General usage of MacTypingTutor program:
To move from the opening screen to any work area of the main program, use the mouse to select one of the five work locations in the "Modules" menu. However, since this is a typing tutorial, all actions of the program can also be controlled from the keyboard, using keyboard shortcuts (see menu items for the particular shortcuts). For example, you can navigate among the work areas by simultaneously pressing command/1, or pressing command/2, and so on. The command key (with the squiggly, square mark) is usually the key to the left of the space bar.
Each work area (module) has menu commands that help you work in that area. If a menu command is intended to work in a particular module it appears in black lettering; if a command is not intended to work in the area it appears in gray lettering. Time spent with the program during on session is shown in the upper right area of the screen. The number left of the marker " | " shows time spent in a particular module; the number to the right of the marker shows the total time spent with the program
In Modules 2 to 5 (the ones with prompts) you will get a words-per-minute score about once a minute. This is also a signal to rest for a moment, between practice periods. From time to time you will get a suggestion to lower or raise your words-per-minute goals. If you want to lower or raise a words-per-minute goal for a particular module, choose "Set Minimum Wpm" in the "Modules" menu. You can turn off this feature of the program by setting individual words-per-minute goals to 1 .
Although the program should never "jam, " if on some rare occasion it does, try one or more of the following: press 'return' several times; move to a different module than back to the one you're working in; close the program down and re-open, restart the computer and reopen, reinstall MacTypingTutor.
Using the individual work areas:
MODULE 1. can be used for free-typing. You can also test your typing speed and accuracy here. The module allows you to type from printed copy you select (or create in your head). The best way to work here is to select a printed paragraph from a book, magazine or some other source. Prop the material up next to the screen, start the timer by pressing "return," and begin. After you have typed a paragraph or some other selection, stop the timer by pressing "return" and then visually examine your typing for errors. Retype if necessary.
Checking Spelling:
If you desire, you can use MacTypingTutor's spelling-checker feature to identify typing errors. Registered version only.
Score Keeping:
After each timed trial, your words-per-minute score will be automatically recorded on a session sheet or recorded on a user-named score-sheet if you have created one and have it open. The date, time and other information is recorded as well. The words per minute average will occasionally be off by half a point or so. But the program rechecks from time to time to make corrections in the words-per-minute average shown.
You can display these session scores in Module 1 in two different ways: 1) by selecting "M1 Scores" in the "Modules Menu," 2) by using the keyboard shortcut shown in the above menu. Note: The "M1 Scores" menu command only works after you have finished a trial (by pressing 'return'), never when you are typing within one.
To record your session's typing scores (words per minute, and so on) in a permanent score sheet in Module 1, use the "File" menu. Use "New" to create a sheet. Use the default name that appears (e.g., "myScores") or type whatever name (23 letters or less) you want to name your new score-sheet. Perhaps make a new one each week (July-6, July-13, ...) or use names: Kim's, Ken's, and so on. These personal files can be made, opened, closed, and deleted with commands in the "File" menu. "Save As" will transfer scores to a second file with a different name. "Save" adds current session scores to a new score-sheet.
For convenience keep the score sheets you create in the same folder with TypingTutor. Also, you can use "Options" to identify what score-sheet, if any, is open. Viewing scores on permanent score-sheets works the same as viewing session scores (described above).
Finally, when you first open an old score sheet you can see the old scores before starting a trial, if you press 'return' twice and then show the score-sheet using either or the two methods mentioned above.
MODULE 2. prompts you to type paragraphs kept in the GraphBank. The paragraphs are randomly selected and then prompted several words at a time. Many of these paragraphs contain helpful suggestions to improve your typing. Others are designed to s t r e t c h your typing skills.
In Module 2 (and Modules 3 to 5) the screen does not immediately show you what you have typed, although the program "reads" and "grades" what you type. But, you can elect to show your typing by using the "Show Typing" command in the "Modules" menu. (Use "Hide Typing" to reverse the "Show Typing" command).
Scores for module 2 (and Modules 3 to 5) are kept automatically. Use the "M25 Scores" command in the "Module" menu to see these scores. Use "Options" to select shorter or longer paragraph prompts.
MODULE 3. uses the WordBank to randomly select individual words for you to type. The words you mistype are remembered by the module and can be used as prompts (see "Options" menu). At the end of a session try typing just the error words, after clicking the "error words" option.
Modules 4 and 5 are designed to help develop very basic typing-skills.
MODULE 4. trains your hands to feel for the "home" position and then jump to other keys. There are eleven different modes (see "Options" menu) to work in that help you practice a wide variety of typing skills. You can work on letter combinations of various difficulty. You can also work on numbers or symbols. You can even practice using the numbers pad at the right of the keyboard (choose "numbers only" in the "Options" menu then position the first three fingers of your right hand over the "4", "5", and "6" keys on the pad, using the thumb for "0").
MODULE 5. teaches which finger to use for typing each key on the keyboard. In the "automatic" mode, the program randomly selects one finger to work on at a time. After it selects the finger, you get up to ten key prompts only for that one finger. After you successfully type the five or ten prompts a new finger is randomly selected. The process then repeats itself. You can tell when a new finger is being randomly selected because you will see a ">" appear briefly. Thus you learn to use the correct finger for each key because you're conscious of which finger is being tested at any one time. You can also work in this module in the "manual" mode. Do this by selecting "manual" in the "Options" menu. In "manual" mode you're asked to select the finger to work on. You then get unlimited prompts just for that finger.
If you have any problems, reactions, or questions, etc. send a note. (Regarding problems, be sure to mention what type Macintosh you use, and exactly what you did, or what you're doing, when the problem occurs). Send the note to:
