148
FEBRUARY 1984
Articles:
1) Book
of Apple 84
6) Softalk 83
7) Softalk 84
Speed
Reading. By Peter Coad. This program is excellent,
but it also costs almost two hundred dollars, the price of a similarly comprehensive
Evelyn Wood course. If that turns you off, don't read further. Designed for
the computer novice, Speed Reading is a superb tool for those
serious about increasing reading skills. The program aims to increase comprehension
and retention as well as reading speed. And though it is expensive, Speed
Reading does offer an advantage not available in a "live" course-you
can progress at your own rate, not the instructor's.
The package includes a manual and three disks: Maintenance, Library, and Lessons.
The Library disk contains the actual reading material, the Lessons disk contains
instructions, a pretest, and subsequent reading lessons, and the Maintenance
disk prints reports and provides space for you to insert your own reading
material.
The only disadvantage to the way in which you are supposed to use the disks
is that you can't use the disks the program gives you; you are required to
make copies of the masters and use them. This is a nuisance because the user
is required to have extra disks on hand and because the procedures necessary
to ready the disk may confuse the beginner. In addition, if you make a copy
of the Maintenance disk, the computer will perform the entire copying process
and tell you the copy is good-even if the blank disk used is damaged and the
copying process unsuccessful.
Fortunately, once the disks are prepared, learning how to read faster F is a simple process, actually so easy that it becomes fun. You don't have to be experienced with computers to use this program. No control c characters are necessary, and the available options are always displayed p on-screen. Beginners will be relieved to find basic computer information n contained in the manual, such as a glossary of computer terms and an explanation of hardware peripherals. One word of caution: It is best to use the manual in conjunction
The User progresses through Speed Reading's eight lessons in a delightfully logical sequence. Beginning with eye fixation, you learn to read a group of words together rather than one word at a time. The number of words on-screen increases at the pace set by the user, and then it the total number of words and lines displayed on the screen at one time also increases. By pressing a key, you can also increase the rate at which the words appear, forcing you to read faster. When you are completely engrossed in efforts to read quickly, your retention is better because of your deep concentration.
Speed Reading provides tests on disk and on paper, and if you choose to take the computerized tests the program will save your score. Information on up to twenty readers and as many as two hundred different reading lessons can be maintained on one disk. There is even password protection so an individual's score can remain confidential.
When you finish all your lessons, you can graduate to printed material or add your own text to the Library disk. The program provides complete instructions on how to do this.
If you can swallow the price, Speed Reading is a delightful change of pace from the drudgery of sifting through unreadable manuals and difficult programs. It can also help beginners overcome their fear of computers because it makes computing fun. TM
Speed Reading, by Peter Coad, BPI Systems (3423 Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78705; 512-454-2801). $195.
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