apps to make you a better typist

1: TypingMaster Pro Typing Tutor

TypingMaster Pro Typing Tutor (Figure A) is one of the better typing tutorials on the market. It features a series of comprehensive lessons that collectively take several hours to complete. The software also tracks your progress and provides a number of statistics, even going so far as identifyiing the keys that are the most problematic for you. TypingMaster Pro Typing Tutor sells for $29.95.

Figure A

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TypingMaster Pro Typing Tutor

2: Rapid Typing Tutor

Rapid Typing Tutor (Figure B) is a free utility that appears to be geared more toward beginners than experienced typists who want to increase their proficiency. It lacks many of the bells and whistles found in other typing tutorials, but it does offer a lesson editor you can use to create custom lessons.

Figure B

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Rapid Typing Tutor

3: Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing (Figure C) has been around for what seems like forever. I remember seeing an early version of this program on my uncle’s computer in the late 80s or very early 90s.

Figure C

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing

There isn’t a free trial of the current version of Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, but Download.com offers a free trial of a slightly older version, which is good for getting a feel for how the software works. It is worth mentioning, however, that the download is about 400 MB in size. Although this might not be large by today’s standards, the download was painfully slow when I attempted it. In all, downloading and installing the trial took more than an hour to complete.
The software itself really isn’t bad. Like most of the other typing tutorials on the market, it offers classroom-style lessons, typing tests, and typing games. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is available as a Deluxe Edition ($19.99) and a Platinum Edition ($29.99)

4: Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor

Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor (Figure D) is a typing tutorial that is intended for beginners and advanced typists alike. Although the Viking theme might not appeal to everyone, it does help keep the otherwise monotonous typing lessons lighthearted and somewhat fun. In addition to the typing lessons, Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor offers a variety of typing games, and it can automatically create playlists from your iTunes account so that you can rock out while you’re working on your typing skills. Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor is free to use for 10 days, but the full version costs $25.95.

Figure D

Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor

5: Bruce’s Unusual Typing Wizard

Bruce’s Unusual Typing Wizard (Figure E) is a fun and free typing tutorial, even if the interface does seem rather dated. (It works fine on Windows 7.) The program offers instructional text and then guides you through a series of typing lessons, all the while keeping track of your speed and accuracy. There is also a typing game where you have to repeat the letters that are displayed before they plummet to the bottom of the screen.

Figure E

Other favorites?

Have you run across another training app that’s improved your typing skills? Share your recommendations with fellow TechRepublic members.
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Five fast Windows desktop search utilities

I am defining a desktop search utility as any utility that is used locally to help find specific data on either the desktop or on an on-premise server.

1: Copernic Desktop Search

Copernic Desktop Search (Figure A) is a free utility that has a clean and intuitive interface, although it is ad driven — and the ads can sometimes be a bit distracting. But my only real complaint about this software is that it doesn’t initially index your entire hard drive. You may have to go in and add some non-default folders for your data to be indexed properly. After you do so, however, the software works really well.

Figure A

Copernic Desktop Search

2: Auslogics Duplicate File Finder

Auslogics Duplicate File Finder (Figure B) is a free utility for searching your hard disk for duplicate files. The search engine does a really good job and it lets you opt to ignore things like file dates. The search engine can even peek inside files to locate ones that might be duplicates even though they have different names.

Figure B

Auslogics Duplicate File Finder

3: X1 Professional Client

X1 Professional Client (Figure C) is another desktop search engine that can find various types of files and email messages. While the functionality might seem routine, a few features help dental long beach justify the price tag.

Figure C

X1 Professional Client

For starters, the search engine is blazing fast. The search actually occurs as you type. Furthermore, you can use a variety of search commands to help narrow your search results. My personal favorite feature is the preview window that shows the currently selected item. Finally, X1 Professional Client has options to do things like copy, email, and zip selected items.
X1 Professional Client retails for $49.95, but a free 14-day trial is available.

4: Search and Replace 98

Search and Replace 98 (Figure D) is a bit different from other desktop search utilities, in that it can find and replace specified text in your files. It’s extremely useful when you need to make changes to a lot of documents.

Figure D

Search and Replace 98

I first found Search and Replace 98 many years ago when I was developing long beach compuer coupon a Web site. The site I was developing consisted of nearly 4,000 ASP files. As the site was approaching completion, my lawyer informed me that certain blocks of text that appeared on several pages had to be rephrased. I needed an editor that could perform a search and replace across multiple files so that I would not have to dig through all 4,000 files by hand. Search and Replace 98 did exactly what I needed it to do. I’m pretty sure that Search and Replace 98 used to be a commercial product, but today it is available for free.

5: Ava Find

Ava Find (Figure E) is a free utility for finding files, messages, and other resources on your computer. Ava Find is nearly 10 years old. In spite of its age, however, the software still works really well. It has a simple interface that lets you quickly find documents, messages, music, and videos simply by searching for them or by clicking the Music or Videos button.

Figure E

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Ava Find

Other picks?

Do you have a favorite desktop search app that didn’t make this list? Share your recommendations www.elitebuyer.com
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