What people say about KAZ
Sample
Reviews
Review by Peter Leach - Software and Games Directory
"In my book, any product that lays claim to being able to teach
touch typing in 90 minutes deserves a look. Further statements on the
box enforce that claim, saying even died-in-the-wool, two-fingered
key-bashers like me can be taught the one true way.
So setting the stop watch, it was on with the first lesson and a close
encounter with my spirit guide, an odd-looking green bird of no discernible
breed. Along with accompanying human commentary, the bird takes you
through what is essentially a 90-minute module employing a technique
of learning by repetition of five key phrases. Employing as they do
all the letters of the alphabet, these five phrases take your fingers
on a whistle stop tour of the keyboard. Like any new skill it's all
a bit strange at first, but after a surprisingly short while it is
possible to type out the words and resist the temptation to look at
the keys - a feeling to me that was a bit like riding a bike with no
hands.
But was it good for me, I hear you ask. Well, to be honest, yes it
was. At the end of the 90-minute session (yes, I did time it) whereas
I was nowhere near the competency of a proper typist, I was reasonably
confident of typing and looking at the screen at the same time.
What the program doesn't promise of course is speed. That comes with
more and more practice, which is helped by the built-in Typing Speed
Builder.
KAZ is simple to use and effective, producing largely what is claimed
by the publishers, giving even the most digitally challenged at least
half a chance of acquiring more efficient keyboard skills."
Chris Smith for Educate on Line Worldwide.
"Other Typing Tutor are cumbersome compared with KAZ, It's ease
of use, plus fast learning curve make this a program that anybody from
nine to ninety will find useful
If you take your time( I know that it says learn to touch type in
just 90 minutes) then you will find this software will have you typing
at quite a reasonable speed without looking at the keyboard'.
KAZ has to go on to our list of programs that we would recommend.
If you want to learn to touch type without hours of tedious training
that could put you off typing for life then this has to be the program
for you."
Director Magazine - Institute of Directors
"KAZ's combination of spoken instruction, good illustrations
and snappy phrases (not the asdf-type drill) does make it impressively
easy to get going"
R-E-M - Gwenda Brocklehurst (Teacher)
"KAZ is one of the most appealing and user friendly software
keyboarding packages that I have used. The operator is given clear,
unambiguous preliminary instructions on how to use the package, and
the importance of good posture and correct hand position is effectively
addressed at the outset. Regular reminders of these important factors
are given throughout the course. New keys are introduced in a logical
order and progression is well paced. The learner is quickly able to
type short sentences which is a motivating and rewarding experience.
The presence of the keyboard and demo bar means that eyes need not
stray from the screen thus facilitating the art of touch typing.
Whilst progress is swift, the user is not pressured into rushing through
the exercises and is encouraged to practice each new key thoroughly
before moving on to the next. 'The Big Test' enables problem keys to
be identified and the learner is given ample opportunity to consolidate
learning and strengthen areas of weakness.
Mastery of the letter keys is followed by the introduction of punctuation
keys, caps lock, shift and numbers keys.
Speed Builder provides an excellent opportunity for further development
of speed and accuracy. Should you forget which finger to use the Key
Guide would put you on the right track.
Whilst using the PC the KAZ Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) controller
runs in the background giving the operator timely reminders to take
a break from typing. It also suggests appropriate hand and finger exercises.
Installing the program - No difficulties were encountered when installing
this package from the KAZ CD-ROM.
Educational value - Nowadays good keyboarding skills are a must for
computer users and KAZ is pitched at a level suitable for all ages.
Students' Reaction to the Program - My 13-year-old son was enthusiastic
about this piece of software and had fun voluntarily working through
the exercises. Likewise adult KAZ users found learning to keyboard
an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
In short a very pleasing piece of interactive software but headphones
are a necessity for classroom based learning."
PC Magazine
"Learn to touch-type in 90 minutes? Surely KAZ Learning Systems
must be joking? But if you discount the hype, KAZ can make a significant
contribution to developing your touch-typing skills in quite a short
time.
It has an intelligent approach to helping acquire keyboard skills,
and doesn't assume that you require incessant and heavily monitored
drill and practice to learn. KAZ isn't preoccupied with accuracy and
speed either, although there's a module that helps you increase your
speed. Instead, KAZ guides you through largely unmonitored exercises
through which you progressively develop your touch-typing skills. It
also provides a software tool to help you avoid Repetitive Strain Injury
(RSI).
After 90 minutes, you'll know which fingers you use to access the
26 alphabetic keys. And, through practice with an intelligent selection
of phrases, you'll be comfortable in using those keys without looking
at the keyboard, and will also be well on the way to learning those
combinations of finger strokes that are essential to touch typing.
From the basic skills, you then progress to integrate the punctuation
and numeric keys using practice phrases.
KAZ tracks your progress through its four modules, called Flying Start,
The Basics, Just Do It and The Rest. After a couple of hours with KAZ,
even a moderately experienced typist can significantly improve touch-typing
ability and confidence in working without looking at the keyboard.
KAZ is effective at what it does. Drill and practice typing tutors
can be very off-putting, but KAZ is different. You can actually enjoy
the learning process."
Homework Review
"With a user-friendly instructional course and a decent enough
Speed Builder, KAZ certainly seems like an effective typing tutor.
The addition of the anti-RSI utility only adds to the excellent value"
Computer Trade Weekly
Recommended - Score 4/5
PC Advisor
"The software gives one of the best guides yet to RSI and how
to avoid it" 8/10
Indie Magazine
"A welcome change. This is the first program we've come across
which has an awareness of RSI and which complies with all the relevant
guidelines"
SAMPLE
USER COMMENTS
Prof M Eisenstadt, Director, Knowledge Media Institute, The Open
University. "WOW! At last this is the one I've been waiting
for. And I'm speaking as an educator, computer scientist, parent,
school governor and head of a university multimedia research lab.
With all my various "hats" on I can truly say that I'm
absolutely delighted. I have spent a long time (years) hunting for
this"
Alison Towney, Harrods "Practical and sensible. Easy to
see where we were heading - results came very quickly"
Jeff Lawrence, BP Exploration "Very good...the best...especially
as time was not on my side at work"
Andrew Shillaber, Natwest "Surprisingly effective - I
was sceptical at first but it really does work"
Chris Mayle, British Aerospace "Very good, avoids pointless
exercises"
Chris Ancelet, Argos "Very effective and enjoyable, the
actual phrases will stay with me, enabling me to practise at any time"
Clare Williams - Sherborne School "I did the KAZ touch
typing course and I am now able to touch type at 36 wpm and I have
never been able to touch type before. I am touch typing this letter
now with people watching over my shoulder which is putting me off!
I have loaded KAZ lite on my computer at home and the rest of the family
have tried this too. The speedbuilder is really useful and very handy
for when you have a few spare minutes. Thank you for producing such
a good course!
Robert Wright "Being a devout two finger typist I opened
your cd rom with some dread . . . . but no, what a joy ,I am actually
typing this by touch, after just one hour ! thank you ! I shall go
forward with hope ! excellent"
Carl Pendle, Travel Writer "I bought KAZ and was amazed
how easy it really was. Within a few minutes I was touch typing a few
basic phrases. I'm no longer a two finger tapper"
A T Bradley, Vet "My advice to anyone starting to play
on a computer would be to begin with KAZ and not attempt to be self
taught - thank you and congratulations on your system"
Barbara Rogers "Just a line to say how much I enjoyed
learning to touch type with KAZ. It really did not take long and the
sense of achievement is great! Thanks a lot from a satisfied customer"
Peter Smith Community Education Manager "I must say how
pleased we are at Swavensey Village College at the KAZ software. Learning
the keyboard can be a bit boring - but KAZ has brightened things up
for our adult students"
Michael Drennen "I started the program on Sunday and by
the following Wednesday I was touch typing by feel with very good accuracy!
I found the software very easy to understand and follow. It didn't
have any useless graphs or tables like other software does. I will
recommend this program to anyone wishing to learn touch typing"
Inna "After much misdirected effort on my own, I attempted
to teach myself how to touch type using the KAZ Typing Course and was
very impressed with the results. The easy to follow instruction course
took less than the claimed 90 minutes and after three weeks I went
from being computer illiterate to being able to type at almost 50 words
per minute! I would not hesitate to recommend this program to anyone
who wants to learn to type, however limited their time - 90 minutes
of fun isn't bad in return for better job prospects!"
Mr Tomes age 63 "Never touched a computer before, loved
KAZ. I can type as quickly as my daughter"
Colin "great prog.even for dummy's like me."
Sophie Hoffman "You won't believe me if I tell you that
I learnt to touch-type in just two days, but it's true. My name is
Sophie Hoffman, and I am 11 years old. I reckon that your touch-typing
course is just great, and I'm going to recommend it to all my friends
and family. My mum needs to touch-type at her work,and it was her knowledge
of the keyboard that first inspired me to borrow my grandad's kaz c.d.
to see if I could pick up any of my mum's skill......and I did! Thanks
to you of course, kaz....."
Judith White "Very many thanks for your letter and for
sending me the latest version of KAZ. I've installed it and it seems
to be working perfectly. As I said to you on the phone, my previous
version came as part of a package for an Open University course.
I've tried learning to touch type before but never got very far. I
found the KAZ typing tutor far better than anything else I've tried
- I can now type without needing to look at the keyboard which is further
than I've ever got before. I'm looking forward to being able to use
the Speed Builder to improve my speed. Even so, although I was only
able to get the first part of KAZ working on my computer, I've already
got to the stage where I am touch-typing everything without reverting
to 2 fingers!
I am really grateful to you for your kind help."
Steve Wing "Thanks very much for your great service -
I have installed the new version and everything seems OK. Love the
product."
Pat Smith. "Dear KAZ People, I have a KAZ typing tutor
as part of my OU course software package and think it's the best I've
ever used - I gave up with other types.
I wonder if it's possible for me to just also install it to my Mum's
computer? Will this infringe the usage conditions? Thanks !
Judith "Just to let you know that the new version of KAZ
that you sent me is working well and is proving to be of huge benefit
to me. Not only is my typing speed continuing to improve, but I'm also
finding that, as I don't have to keep moving my eyes up and down from
keyboard to screen and back again, my eyes don't get tired like they
used to. Once again, many many thanks"
Belinda "KAZ has proved to be fantastic for our students
- if they are not attending lectures they are practicing. We really
are most grateful for your services. Once again thank you."
Allan Grieff. "Hi There. Thank you for the KAZ speed type
CD. My dear wife bought for me to help speed me up and to use the rest
of my fingers. I must say I was sceptical at first, but I tried it
out. I rather enjoyed it. My speed increased and is doing so all the
time.
I have found I can't think quicker than my fingers. SO THANK YOU !
Are there any other KAZ courses I can buy? Yours Faithfully"
Denise Williams. "Thank you for your e-mail re. KAZ Typing
Tutor. I have altered the colour setting on my PC and the programme
is running with no problems, in fact it is excellent and I am enjoying
using it. Many thanks for your help. Kind regards, "
Tony Keith. "Hi, thanks very much for the latest KAZ. The best
thing is that it works! It's great to use something that 'delivers
the goods'. I am also slower when composing something out of my head
(don't get out your when composing I hear you say!)
anyway I am really pleased with it thanks. Regards"
Nicky Gerhardi "Thank you for your email. We really like
this package and would love to purchase it, but we have a problem with
the cost, given the rand/sterling exchange. Is there any possibility
of negotiating a better deal for South African Schools with you on
this as this seems to be a very worthwhile product? I look forward
to hearing from you."
John Maurer "I just want to thank you for your great program.
KAZ keyboard training was just what I was looking for. Thank you very
much"
Susan Dudley "I'm delighted to report that KAZ is well
on the way to breaking a 20-year bad typing habit - no cheating, honest!.
Many thanks" |