Software developers have tried a number of approaches to make learning to type a little more fun, but this is probably the first typing tutor to use rollerblading as its theme.
After you enter your name and log in, you can choose an event and a level. There are five events (Orange Cones, Cow Jumping, Half Pipe, Speed Blading, and Sidewalk Action) and 20 levels. Each level focuses on practicing pairs of letters, numbers, or punctuation. In most cases, the emphasis is on improving accuracy over speed. In some cases, you'll type letter combinations; in others, words or sentences. Brief on-screen instructions tell you what to do; you press the space bar when you're ready to begin. Some exercises are accompanied by rollerblading animations and music.
When you complete an exercise, you're rewarded with a brief video clip of a computer-animated rollerblader zipping around orange cones, jumping a row of cows, or performing other blading tricks. Complete an exercise without any errors and you'll get a boogeying rollerblader, complete with victory music. All animations include voiceovers and sound effects, including mooing cows. If the sound effects or music get on your nerves, you can turn either or both off using the Options menu.
An Ergonomics screen will remind you about correct posture and hand placement to reduce strain and risk of injury.
A Progress Report feature keeps track of your speed, accuracy, and event-specific statistics in each event, as well as your overall performance. Stats reflect the average of your performance in each set of exercises, rather than your best performance. You can also view an Accuracy by Keys and Fingers chart, which lets you know which keys and fingers need extra practice.
In addition to improving typing speed and accuracy, the goals are to make the Z-Hall of Fame, which features the top ten players with the highest number of accurate keystrokes, and to earn a place in Star Row by achieving 90-percent accuracy and 25 words per minute or more for all five events in a particular level.
Solid, easy-to-use, and effective typing tutor.
