Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 16 Old Version

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 16 helps you perform better at work and online, with this simple guide to better keyboarding! Explore 30 different lessons and perfect typing technique for faster and more efficient work.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars I have been a happy user for many years and versions
I was already a very speedy typist when I bought Mavis Beacon for my husband, and for fun I tried the programme too: well, it immediately spotted my weak point: symbols and numbers (I rarely have to use them!), and earnestly presented me a lesson on those. I was mortified and I laughed, so started using it myself. This is one of the wonderful features: the programme sees where your weaknesses are, and in the next lessons concentrates on those. Then my son grew up, and started using it, then my daughter was born, and now she’s almost 11 and has also started using it… of course it’s a different version now, the third I own. I find it as brilliant as it was, although I must say that the changes from v.9 to v.16 are not that many. But then, if a thing is good as it is, why change it?

You have to be humble and patient, and Mavis will be very patient and very encouraging, even if you make a hundred mistakes: she will just say “OK, you need some more work on these keys. Let’s begin a lesson with new combinations, and you will soon learn them”.

An advice. If you want to see results, follow the programmes guidelines, don’t rush to do the games (as my son does), just go through the lessons. You can easily repeat a lesson whenever you want, if you succeed at a test but still you don’t feel confident (or if you succeeded by cheating, i.e. looking at the keyboard).

The interface is pleasant and relaxing, the music too, and gives you rhythm (but you can turn it off if it gets on your nerves, and put your own music or no music at all - or a metronome, if you so wish!).

A very nice feature is the keyboard with the moving fingers at the bottom of the screen (the key to be used is highlighted every time to help you see where it is). So you can start by not looking at your own keyboard and hands, just looking at the one on the screen, and then as you learn the keys don’t look at anything but the text.

Who cares about the differences in spelling? You just have to copy what you see! If what you write beneath the examples is correct, it will be blue, errors are in red. You don’t have to press “enter”, it automatically goes to the next line. After completing the text, your WPM (word per minute)speed is measured, and then adjusted according to your mistake percentage, so that you are not tempted to type quickly but carelessly like a reviewer here who almost gave me a headache. Accuracy is far more important, and you are also encouraged to type rhythmically, with a steady rhythm. I had learned this in typing school, decades ago (in 1973, if you must know!), and I know how important is for developing speed.

The games in Mavis Beacon are great fun, although some can be stressful as you have to avoid sharks or crashing your iceberg etc… My children love creature creation, where by typing you can create fantastic creatures.

A useful video tutorial on how to sit correctly and align your arms and hands on the table for ergonomic work is also included.

OK, now on the funny note: Mavis Beacon’s face gets whiter with each new version. Does this make for better sales?

I live in Greece and I had a font problem some years ago, which made use of the programme impossible (my font didn’t align with their font, and everything I typed was marked as error). I e-mailed customer service. They were very quick to reply and helpful, although what they said didn’t solve the problem - it was due to something else, I found out.

I recommend this programme to anybody. Yes, having British or French or Italian keyboard makes it useless, I agree. (I didn’t have this problem because in Greece we use American/Greek keyboard).

1 Star Get only the Deluxe
There is practically no substantial difference between version 15 and 16 UNLESS you get the deluxe version of 16. Then you have a few more games. I did find 16 for $4. but had to pay $5 shipping/handling for each copy (even though it came in one package!). They should just put the price at $9. and I wouldn’t have been so irritated. Still, don’t bother getting version 16 unless you get the Deluxe, IMHO.

5 Stars Fantastic
I love this program. My daughter is making very good progress and loves to use it too. I would recommend this to anyone that wants to learn how to type and not be bored.

1 Star M. Becon 16 won’t instll to Vista
I got new Sony Vaio with Windows VIst. When I tried to install MBTT 16 it cted like there ws no CD in the drawer.

5 Stars Great For All Ages
This typing program is the best I have ever used. I have been trying many typing games to learn how to type and this is the only one that has worked. I am now 11 and can type with ease. I recommend this for all ages.

Buy/More Info

Parallels Desktop 3 0 for Mac OLD VERSION

The first solution that gives Apple users the ability to run Windows, Linux or any other operating system and their critical applications at the same time as Mac OS X–without rebooting–on any Intel-powered iMac, Mac Mini, MacBook or MacBook Pro.

The killer app for Mac is now even better than ever!
Parallels Desktop for Mac enables you to run Windows, Linux, and more side-by-side with Mac OS X on any Intel-powered Mac, without rebooting. With Parallels’ award-winning virtualization technology, you can run Mac OS X and your favorite Windows applications at the same time. You can even drag-and-drop files between desktops!

The latest release of Parallels Desktop for Mac comes packed with 50+ new features and enhancements, including SmartSelect, Snapshots, and 3D graphics. Learn more about the new capabilities in the latest release of our award-winning product.

Top 5 reasons to run Parallels:
	Run Windows-only applications on your Mac. Many of today’s most popular applications are windows-only. Parallels enables you to run these applications on your Mac. Play computer games? Most PC games only run on Windows. With Parallels, you no longer have to sacrifice your favorite games!
	Run Selected 3D Games and Applications. OpenGL and DirectX support lets you explore a whole new world of 3D games and applications right on your Mac.
	Use any phone, MP3 player, and camera with your Mac. With Parallels, you can use your favorite devices, even if they’re Windows-only. Connect your Blackberry, phone, camera, and MP3 player to your Mac!
	Run OS X, Windows, and Linux at the same time. With Parallels, you can run all of your favorite applications at the same time, regardless of the OS! No more rebooting to switch between OSes to use the applications you need.
	No-worry migrations! Parallels Transporter takes the hassle out of migration. No more losing valuable data, customizing your computer all over again, or reinstalling software. In just a few simple steps, you can move your entire existing Windows system to your new Mac.

With the latest version of Parallels, you can:

• Use Windows and Mac OS X at the same time… without rebooting
• Run Windows programs like native Mac applications with Parallels Coherence
• New! Open Windows files with Mac programs and Mac files in Windows programs with Parallels SmartSelect
• Share files and folders between Windows and Mac OS X
• New! Browse through Windows folders and access files without launching Windows with Parallels Explorer
• New! Run today’s most popular PC games on a Mac with support for 3D graphics
• Achieve maximum performance by leveraging Intel Virtualization Technology
• New! Protect your Windows with Parallels Snapshots
• Migrate your entire existing PC to your Mac with Parallels Transporter

Coherence
With Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac, you can run Windows applications like they were native to your Mac! Experience the new Coherence mode to enjoy the benefits of both operating systems, without managing two desktops. In Parallels Desktop 3.0, Coherence has been enhanced to make running both operating systems simultaneously even easier and more user-friendly.

Using Parallels Desktop 3.0’s Coherence, you can:

• Navigate Windows using the Windows taskbar directly on your Mac desktop
• Hide the Windows taskbar until you need it
• Launch your favorite Windows applications and access the Windows Start menu straight from your Mac Dock
• Use your Windows applications right on your Mac desktop, without resizing Windows itself
• Manage your open documents and files on the Windows taskbar while enjoying your favorite Mac Dock applications at the same time
• View Windows applications in Dock at your convenience! Choose your level of integration from Never, Always, and Only in Coherence.
• Maintain seamless access to all of your Windows and Mac documents, files, applications, hardware, and devices, making your user environment truly hassle-free
• Drag-and-drop files and folders instantly between Windows and Mac OS X
• Choose the best application for your needs, without flipping from one operating system to another
• Prefer Coherence over managing two desktops? Boot your virtual system to Coherence at startup, and truly avoid switching between operating systems.
• Mount your Windows operating system directly on your Mac desktop and enjoy instant access to all of your files, regardless of their OS Enjoy two operating systems while managing only one desktop. Coherence eliminates your having to switch between operating systems to enjoy your favorite Windows and Mac applications. You can almost forget that you’re running two OSes!

Transporter
Transporter is a powerful tool that enables you to migrate your entire PC system to a Parallels virtual machine. Migrate your entire PC system, including operating system, applications, files, and personal settings–without losing data or reinstalling any software.

NEW! Now you can convert VMware Workstation/Server and Virtual PC virtual hard disks to a Parallels virtual machine AND migrate directly to your Mac using FireWire!

Installation Assistant built-in tool
Thanks to Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac’s Installation Assistant, installing Windows on your Mac is now even easier than installing it on a PC! This new built-in tool is already included in Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac.

How does it work?
With a powerful, easy to use “Express Windows OS Installation Mode” for Windows Vista and Windows XP, the Installation Assistant completely automates the virtual machine setup and installation of Windows–with almost no user interaction.

Start taking advantage of running Windows on your Mac in just three easy steps:

• Select which Windows operating system you want to install,
• Enter your name, company and Windows activation key,
• Click finish–and let the Installation Assistant do the rest!

You do not need to enter any additional information, select settings, or answer any potentially confusing technical questions. This built-in tool automatically completes the full installation in a pre-designed virtual machine.

After Windows is installed, the Installation Assistant automatically installs Parallels Tools, a free set of useful add-ons that improve networking, video, and sound support, syncs mouse activity and OS system clocks, and enables you to cut, copy, and paste of data, as well as file sharing, between Windows and OS X.

Need to run other operation systems on your Mac?
The Installation Assistant provides improved and user-friendly setup for other versions of Windows, plus any Linux distribution, FreeBSD, Solaris, OS/2, eComStation, and MS-DOS.

NOTE! If you are already using Parallels Desktop for Mac, updating Parallels Desktop 3.0 does not require a reinstall of any guest operating systems or applications. After updating, you should only reinstall Parallels Tools.

SmartSelect
Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac’s new SmartSelect enables Mac users to open any Windows or Mac file with whichever software they choose–regardless of its original OS! Now you can open Windows files with any Mac software and Mac files with any Windows software.

With support in both Windows and Mac OS X and deep document, email, and web-browser integration between the two operating systems, Parallels Desktop 3.0’s SmartSelect frees you to choose the best software for the job, without interrupting your workflow.

Previously, Parallels Desktop users had to copy a file into either Windows or Mac OS X to open the file with the application they wanted. Now, in Parallels Desktop 3.0, you can open any file from either OS and view it with the software of your choice.

With SmartSelect, you can:

• View and edit a file with any compatible PC or Mac software available on your Intel Mac
• Set file-associations to open a file-type with specific Mac or PC software
• Set SmartSelect software settings “on the fly” or as the default

Imagine being able to double-click on a text document in Mac Finder and immediately launch Microsoft Word in Windows. Or synchronizing your digital life by playing all the MP3s in your music library with Mac iTunes–even if the files are located in Windows.

Parallels Desktop 3.0’s SmartSelect goes beyond document integration. It also supports email and web browsing. Immediately view a PPT file a colleague sent you in Apple Mail using Windows PowerPoint. Click on any hyperlink in an email or document and have your default web-browser–such as Apple’s Safari or Microsoft’s Internet Explorer–launch. With SmartSelect, the possibilities are endless.

?

?

Snapshots
Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac’s new Snapshots enables you to erase mistakes and recover your virtual machine from system crashes and viruses with the click of a button. Enjoy peace of mind with Parallels Desktop 3.0’s Snapshots.

A complete record of your virtual machine at the state it was created–OS, data, software, and settings–Parallels Desktop 3.0’s Snapshots enables you to quickly and easily create and save multiple snapshots, even while your virtual machine is running.

In the event a virus or a Windows system crash, you can conveniently rollback your virtual machine to any previously saved state with all of your data and software intact. (As opposed to losing all of your data and reinstalling Windows and all your PC software.) Additionally, periodically creating a set of backups facilitates faster recovery time to get back on your feet, if disaster strikes.

With Parallels Desktop 3.0’s Snapshot Manager, you can manage and view all of your snapshots in a tree pane that includes screen shots for each snapshot. Snapshot Manager enables you to revert back to previous snapshots, delete snapshots, and edit description information for each snapshot.

Snapshots are excellent for:

• Bulletproofing your Windows virtual machine from viruses and spyware
• Creating a regularly scheduled backup to revert your virtual machine to any previous stable state
• Rolling back your virtual machine after a software update, system crash, or software testing

In an unpredictable world, Parallels Desktop 3.0’s Snapshots safeguards your data and creates a more reliable virtual machine so you can focus on more important things.

Parallels Explorer
Just need that one document? Where did that pdf go? Thanks to Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac’s new Parallels Explorer, now you can access your Windows files and folders directly from your Mac desktop, without even launching Windows. With a deeper integration between Mac OS X and Windows, Parallels Desktop 3.0 makes it even easier to run Windows on your Mac.

Using Parallels Desktop 3.0’s Explorer, you can:

• Access your Windows files and documents directly from your Mac Desktop
• Browse your Windows system directly on your Mac Dock
• Maintain access to your important Windows documents, even if the virtual machine crashes
• Drag-and-drop files and folders between Windows and OS X
• Save time with direct access to all of your critical files, without having to wait for your virtual machine to start and Windows to boot
• Create and delete files in your Windows system “on the fly”
• Troubleshoot your Windows system for tricky file errors and deleted folders
• …all without even launching Windows.

Enjoy two operating systems while managing only one desktop. Parallels Explorer eliminates your having to wait for your virtual machine to start and Windows to boot just to access your key Windows files, folders, and documents. Running Windows and Mac has never been easier!

3D Graphics
NEW! Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac now supports DirectX 9 and OpenGL 1.5! No need to dedicate a separate Windows machine to running favorite 3D games and key graphics applications. Parallels Desktop 3.0 now brings the world of Windows 3D straight to your Mac like never before!

With Parallels Desktop 3.0, you can:

• Play Windows-only 3D games, such as Half-Life, World of Warcraft, and Unreal Tournament
• Render in complex 3D CAD programs such as AutoCAD 2008
• Work with CPU-intensive video and sound editing software such as Sony Vegas
• Run mission-critical 3D applications on your Mac
• Enjoy your favorite Windows-only games and graphics applications directly in your Windows virtual machine at full native speed–without rebooting

By including deep support for both DirectX and OpenGL, Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac brings a world of Windows-only key productivity and entertainment software to Mac users for the first time. Now you can truly experience the best of both worlds on one machine!

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star parawhat?
Want actually working USB peripherals? buy VM Fusion

I bought parallels 3.0 in November

I was thoroughly disappointed in its performance, I felt cheated because almost none of my usb peripherals worked, it didnt begin to live up to expectations.

My USB GPS or USB broadband modem or my USB Game controller didnt work, making parallels almost entirely useless to me, I could have saved my money and simply used boot camp.

Parallels release 4.0 supposed as a free upgrade to new 3.0 purchasers.

I submitted my proof of purchase receipt on the 1st of Dec 08 its now January 2009 and till this date I still haven’t received a 4.0 activation key for the Parallels Manufacturer.

I bought VM Fusion and imported my VM machine and instantly every one of my usb peripherals worked perfectly.

Do not waste time and money on a product or company that cant or wont even attempt to deliver what it claims.

I dont own stock or interest in either company. but with VM fusion I do have a Virtual windows machine on my Mac with working USB peripherals.

1 Star Be careful
I’m not sure how good this product is, because I am still having installation problems. After installing the program, I was then told my product key was expired (Unless the store gave me a pirated version - which I doubt from the apple store.) I attempted to uninstall the current version and now can’t reinstall. after exhausting my web and user guide resources, I attempted to call ANYONE at parallels and spent an hour being frustrated before calling apple and asking for help. they somehow got someone on the line. So now, finally I have a person to talk to. To add insult to injury - the “tech support” has a decidedly heavily accented english and is talking on a static filled internet phone such that he can barely understand me or I him.

Keep in mind that if I hadn’t called apple, I would be paying 29.99 for this wonderful service PER INCIDENT!!! I sincerely hope that I never need customer service again, because if I do it will likely be for a refund.

5 Stars Parallels 3.0
I am a recently converted Mac user, but there are still many Windows programs I am either not willing to give up or are not available for Mac, thus I purchased this software to be able to run Windows and Mac OS X simultaneously.

I must say I am very happy with it! I simply click on my Windows Taskbar that sits quite nicely above the Mac’s dock and I can go anywhere in Windows I want.

4 Stars Does what it says and makes it easy
I was going back and forth over whether to buy Parallels or VM Fusion and just tried the free download. The product worked so well I didn’t even bother with a comparison test when the free demo expired; I just bought it.

1 Star Stay away
This is a disaster….get fusion instead. I have had nothing but difficulties getting it to load and function.

Buy/More Info

Apple iLife 08 OLD VERSION

iPhoto ‘08: Organize your digital photos and share them by email or through your webpage. Have fun making cards and calendars so you can get the most out of your photo library.
iMovie ‘08: Publish your movies to your website, YouTube, your iPod, iPhone and even Apple TV. The built-in library of the iMovie ‘08 automatically organizes your videos so you can view and work as intuitive as enjoying your photos. The revolutionary interface makes sharing easy with just a few clicks away.
iLife ‘08 has significantly upgraded Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications. A new verion of iPhoto and a completely reinvented iMovie makes enjoying your photos, creating movies, making music and websites even easier. New to iLife is the .Mac Web Gallery. Both iPhoto and iMovie is integrated into .Mac Mac Gallery for instantly creating and hosting online photo and video contents. .Mac Web Gallery: Through iPhoto ‘08, you can share photos with friends and family on your .Mac Web Gallery where visitors can enjoy high-quality images or even contribute their own with either a Mac or a PC.
GarageBand ‘08: GarageBand is the perfect place to get your act together. Create your very own virtual onstage band and play along on your favorite instrument whether you’re a first-time musician or a seasoned pro. Record, edit, and mix a song exactly as you want it, in pristine CD quality.
iWeb ‘08: Use Apple-designed themes and customize them with your text, photos, movies and even podcasts and create a website using iWeb that defines who you are. You can switch themes at anytime with a simple click.
iDVD ‘08: Quickly and easily create Hollywood-style DVDs with iDVD. Use the Apple-designed animation themes to go from main screen to chapter selection. Ten new themes and snappier performance make iDVD more fun than ever.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars iLife ‘08
I really love the GarageBand software!!! It is amazing!!! The only downside is that the iPhoto doesn’t run that great on a 1.5Ghz Powerbook and the iMovie software for some reason is not compatible. Other than that is good!

3 Stars iMovie 08 Was a Bummer - Everything Else Was Great
As long as you don’t buy this for iMovie 08, then this is a great product. iMovie 08 is a HORRIBLE replacement for the incredibly easy to use and powerful older iMovie. iMovie 08 may have a place in this world under a different name and as a differently focused product, but it is NOT a good movie editor.

4 Stars Good, but better to wait for iLife ‘09
Hold your money until the new version of iLife comes out and purchase that. I bought version ‘08 thinking it might be a year before the next version is on the market and now,a couple months later, I must spend more money to have the newest iLife that is due to be released soon.

5 Stars iLife is great
I am a mac lover and was a bit reticent about changing over to iLife. Once I quickly downloaded the program my fears subsided and i was thrilled with all of the changes. I wasn’t too sure how they could have improved on the product - but they did. Kudos to Apple. Another great addition to the line.

3 Stars Release Cycles and System Requirement fine print
While I did manage to get the better picture slide show encoding option I was looking for with the newer version of iDVD, it wish I had read the system requirements more closely to have known that the 08 iMovie would not install on my G4 Mac prior to purchasing this software package. That is my fault. I was a bit annoyed, but not too surprised, that Apple released iLife 09 1 month later. Since I’m still running 10.4 even the new iPhoto with face recognition would not run on my system without upgrading to 10.5, so I’ll continue to appreciate the iLife 08 sw packages which do run on my setup and make sure I read the fine print before purchasing in the future.

Buy/More Info

Broderbund 3D Home Architect Home Design Deluxe 6 OLD VERSION

3D Home Architect Home Design Deluxe makes planning your dream home a pleasure, instead of a chore. Floor plans, remodeling or working on additions is problems at all for this software. Begin planning the perfect home with software like that used by real architects & designers! Budgeting tools and materials lists make it possible for you to break ground with confidence Landscaping and garden modeling tools are included — create a beautiful yard to compliment the home of your dreams!

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Just fine for $13.50
Got it today. It is a little clunky, and you have to be patient when using “duplicate”, etc, but I have the first floor about done, and it works okay. Has stopped once but no big deal, just leave auto-save on. Have not used stuff like this before. It will really help my wife picture things. It isn’t real intuitive, but it suffices. The help menu and index is sparse. The views are okay, but the rotation in 3D is slow on this 1.X gigahertz 500MB ram 64MB video card machine. Good night. I hope to have my house plans done within a week.

Update after several weeks: still same opinion. Works, decent graphics, and my wife did appreciate the opportunity to view what things ‘might’ look like, so the rendering was acceptable. I would recommend to someone who is just wanting to visualize a home, and maybe play a little with sizing up rooms, re-locating doors and windows, etc.

1 Star User hostile program!
I began using 3D Home Architect years ago and found I could do most anything I wanted with version 4 deluxe. Then I tried this POS, which is as user-hostile as any program I’ve ever encountered. Not intuitive, takes ages to set up defaults to make it do what you want it to do, pitiful documentation and tech support, not able to import plans from previous versions (even using the industry standard DFX files - but the did warn me). Version 4 and earlier were written by Chief Architect; later versions by Punch Software. Go try something by CA, like Better Homes & Gardens Home Designer. The only reason I gave this product 1 star is because there is no lower rating!

4 Stars He loves it!
Ordered this for my fiance’s birthday. It arrived just on time, and he loves it!

3 Stars Powerful But Buggy
The most powerful of the consumer level design applications. Lots and lots of capability, but the bugs will drive you crazy. Walls disappear, cabinets stretch to infinity, the roof building feature will make you cut your wrists. Views add levels to themselves unbidden. Lots of hard reboots. They should have left in the capabilities and fixed the bugs, instead of dumbing down subsequent versions.

1 Star Absolutely awful
In a word. CRASH!!

The only thing good was Amazon gave me a full refund.

Dont waste your time on it.

Buy/More Info