The following concerns both the download and fully-enabled versions of TypingTutor. Some of the items described are not fully functional in the download version: (Quadra uses may need to turn off 32-Bit Addressing in the Memory Control Panel).
Your TypingTutor package includes the items listed below (which should all be kept in the same folder on your machine). Don't mix different copies of TypingTutor on your hard disk (especially the download version), as you may confuse the program when it opens auxiliary files. IMPORTANT: Keep copies of all the files enclosed on the mailing disk (including GraphBank and WordBank) in case something goes wrong and you need to re-install any of these at a later time.
DON'T change the file names of "TypingTutor2.3", "WordBank", or "GraphBank" in ANY way, as doing so will either prevent the program from opening or from finding needed files. As a safeguard, the original file names can't be changed without using a tool, but the names of copied files can be changed.
The memory size (in "Get Information") has been generously set to allow TypingTutor to run smoothly. If you change this setting for whatever reason and experience problems, reset to 899. While the program will run from a floppy disk, it will run smoother and faster from a hard disk.
Ok, that's enough "Don'ts and "Semi-don'ts." Enclosed in the package are:
1. TypingTutor Program (explained below)
2. WordBank File. The fully enabled WordBank file comes with about 12,500 words installed; it can hold about 50,000 words, as you add to it with usage (on slower machines you may not want to go beyond 25,000 words). It functions as a spelling checker (limited at first) for one of the work areas and as a word generator in another work area. If the WordBank ever fills to capacity a message should appear to explain what to do.
3. GraphBank File. The fully enabled GraphBank comes with more than sixty practice paragraphs; you can also add many more paragraphs of your own. GraphBank randomly generates prompt paragraphs in one of the work areas.
4. EditingTool. (Included in full version only) 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. Note: attempting to manually alter the WordBank or GraphBank files, by opening either of the two, may cause problems when the main program runs.
5. Extra Tools (Includced in full version only)
General usage of TypingTutor program:
To move from the opening screen to any work area of the main program, use the mouse to select one of the five items 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.
Occasionally during normal use of TypingTutor you will be prompted with a yes-no question and a "y n" along with a flashing insertion pointer. When this happens type either "y" or "n" (depending on what you want to happen in the situation) and then press the "return" key.
Using the five modules:
Module 1 can be used for free-typng. 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, and begin. After you have typed a paragraph or some other selection, stop the timer and then visually examine your typing for errors. Retype if necessary.
After each timed trial, your words-per-minute score will be automatically recorded on a session sheet (see it with "Scores" in "Special" menu) or recorded on a file if you have created one and have it open. The date, time and other information is recorded as well.
Module 1 also comes with a spelling checker that can hold up to about 50,000 vocabulary words. If you use it, it will give you the opportunity to add your own words to the WordBank, as necessary (it starts at about 12,500 words). The error percentage for a trial is shown on the score sheets mentioned above. Two error scores are shown, one for all trials and one just for trials where the spelling checker has been turned on. You may find as you become more practiced at using TypingTutor that the spelling checker slows you down. If this happens just don't use it. Not using the checker may also motivate you to make fewer errors. The spelling checker on/off command is located in the "Special" menu that also includes a keyboard shortcut.
To record your typing scores (words per minute, and so on) in a permanent file in Module 1, use the "File" menu. Use "New" to create a file. Give whatever name (23 letters or less) you want to your file when prompted. 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 an open file.
Always keep the score files you create in the same folder on your machine as you keep TypingTutor and its auxiliary materials. Also, you can use the "Special" menu to: 1) identify what score file, if any, is open, 2) turn off/on spelling checker, or 3) see scores already recorded for the current session or the score file currently open.
Module 2 prompts you to type randomly selected 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.
As with each of the remaining modules, the screen does not immediately show you what you have typed, although the modules "read" and "grade" what you type. This feature is intended to help you get in the habit of NOT watching what you type as you type it. The best habit to form is to keep your eyes on your typing copy (material). Then you don't lose your place by moving your eyes from the copy to your screen and then back again. After a while you learn to feel your errors in your fingers, backspace through them, and then retype as necessary.
A running error analysis is kept for you at the bottom of the screen. Of course, you can use the EditingTool to add or delete paragraphs in the bank.
Module 3 uses the WordBank to randomly select individual words for you to type. Type these words in either lower case or capitals, although the prompts use capitals. Running totals are kept for you, while feedback is given when you make an error. The words you mistype are remembered by the module just for the current session. At the end of a session try typing just the error words, after clicking the "error words" button. If you then want to return to typing regular words, just click "reg" button and follow instructions.
Although the WordBank has been checked for errors, with so many words included, one or two may have been entered incorrectly. If you find one while using Module 3, just type it as it appears so you can continue working. But jot the renegade word down on paper. Then you can remove it at your convenience after you've finished your session. To do this open the EditingTool, choose WordBank, enter the typo just as it appeared in Module 3, and select "delete." You should get a message, "word deleted!" If you don't, try again, or wait for the word to come up again in Module 3, as you may have mis-written it on your jotting paper.
Modules 4 and 5 are designed to help develop very basic typing-skills.
Module 4 trains your hands to feel for the "home" position. The home position means (left hand over the keys: a s d f and right hand over the keys: j k l ;). The module also teaches the motions needed to jump to other keys on the keyboard. To do these two things, the letter sequences prompted in this module use a home key and a second key in a sandwich-like fashion (e.g., "d e d"). The home key comes first and third and the "jump" key appears in the middle position. At the "Easy level" prompted letter sequences ask you to jump one easy row on the keyboard (e.g., "d e d" or "a z a"). Use the "Medium" or "Hard" buttons to expand the difficulty of the prompts you get. "Medium" adds "b n g h t y" to the set of jump letters used in the prompts. "Hard" adds nearly every possible character on the keyboard to the set of jump letters used in the prompts.
Module 5 teaches which finger to use for typing which key. It does this by letting you type for a while with just one finger. 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. Use the "Automatic" button to get a random selection of fingers to be tested. Each randomly picked finger then gets a random number of prompts between 5 and 15. Use the "Manual" button to work on a particular finger that you especially have trouble with (such as one of your pinkies).
If you have an idea for improving the program send it along to the address below. If you're the first to suggest the new idea, and if it is used in a newer version (e.g., 2.4, 3.1, etc.) of TypingTutor, you will get a free copy of the newer file when it is released.
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:
