Ainsworth Keyboard Trainer
Software Review By Sandy Berger
The only way to learn keyboarding is through
practice, and the Ainsworth Keyboard Trainer will put you through the paces.
Dick Ainsworth is enjoying his
retirement by living in the country and writing whatever software and computer books he feels will make a difference.
His latest help to new computer users includes
the Ainsworth Keyboard Trainer, a typing program to help people communicate better and master their
computer's keyboard. This program is designed to help you become proficient at keyboarding, and to help you work
smarter as well as write better. The Ainsworth Keyboard Trainer is a plain, basic program. No fancy screens, no
animation, no fluff, yet it has everything necessary to learn keyboarding.
All it takes is the one CD that
comes with the Ainsworth Keyboard Trainer,
a commitment to learn, and your enthusiasm. Soon your fingers will be trained to go where they are supposed to
go. This software program can teach the novice how to type as well as increase skills for typists of all levels.
Ainsworth is thorough; he stretches your knowledge to include the entire keyboard, which means numbers and symbols
as well as letters. Get ready for lessons that will teach you to type, drills to improve your speed and accuracy,
and tests to measure and record your progress. It's not all work and no play. The Type-Oh! games get you thinking
and typing at the same time. Program-generated reports document your progress and help you recognize your own strengths
and weaknesses. Well into the program, the Ainsworth Conversation Piece and Ainsworth Writer work on improving
communication skills.
The automatic monitoring feature
was impressive. Intuitively, the program
matches up to your dexterity and skill level and offers you appropriate challenges. It keeps your place if you
start a lesson and want to come back later. A little touch of "homework" is not bad; Keyboard Trainer
offers exercises intended to increase speed, accuracy, and overall keyboarding skills.
From the beginning, Keyboard Trainer
was easy and immediate. All you do is pop
in the CD and the program loads in less than a minute. Documentation and instructions are on the CD and very easy
to understand; F1 is the help button. The learning curve is immediate, yet gradual. One word of advice, be sure
to take the practice test. The instructions on the practice test apply to all the speed tests. Ainsworth's program
indents paragraphs with five spaces. Experienced typists may not be using this indented format as their standard.
If you do not align your words and type exactly as the tests are formatted, you will be disappointed with a poor
score because the program reads improperly aligned typing as errors.
Home computer users would be interested
in the single computer application, but a
network version is also available. A nice feature is that both versions keep automatic records for any number of
users. All family members can be learning or sharpening up on their keyboard skills simultaneously.
One of the Conversation Piece
practice drills involves typing questions
into the computer to which the computer responds with pat answers based on the keywords you type. Learning to compose
at the computer is a good skill for those new to the word processing world, and the conversation with the computer
is sure to make you smile. Your ability to compose at the computer will be put to good use during online chats.
Don't forget there is much more
to the keyboard than just the typing keys.
Ainsworth has another single CD program called the
Keypad Trainer. This program for the number
keypad is primarily intended for people using spreadsheets and calculators. Believe it or not, it is fun. Many
Senior Centers offer the keypad as well as the keyboard because senior surfers have enjoyed both programs.
The value of the Ainsworth Keyboard
Trainer, V4.1, is its success in enhancing your input skills. Your keyboarding will be faster and more accurate which could result in greater personal satisfaction
as well as better skills for any job that involves a computer or typewriter. Although this program was very simple
to use, it still did a good job of challenging my typing skills. With this software, anyone can improve his or
her keyboard expertise, no matter what level he or she has currently achieved. The program is perfect for young,
old, beginner, intermediate, etc., but especially for those new to the computer keyboard. The Ainsworth Keyboard
Trainer is particularly useful for seniors who have decided to take on the computing world but find themselves
with rusty (or no) typing skills. The keyboard is a necessary input device, and the sooner you master it, the more
productive and enjoyable your entire computing experience will be. Thanks, Dick Ainsworth, for your help.
Ainsworth review by Sandy Berger
Ainsworth Keyboard Trainer (V.4.1)
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© 2009 Ainsworth & Partners, Inc.ainsworth@qwerty.com