Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing

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Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is a software program for teaching touch typing. It is published by Brøderbund. The original version was published by The Software Toolworks. The program has been published regularly since 1993. Version 5 supports both QWERTY and the alternative Dvorak Simplified Keyboard layout, though more recent versions support only QWERTY. The current version is version 17, released for both Mac OS X and Windows. Earlier versions were made for Apple II, Commodore 64, Atari 400/800 (version 1 only), Apple IIGS, Atari ST, MacOS, Windows, PalmOS (version 16), and Amiga systems.

The program includes a number of speed tests and constantly tracks the user's words-per-minute typing speed. It also includes a number of typing games; games of some sort have been included since the first release. A certificate of achievement can be printed by the user upon the completion of tests (regardless of level of proficiency).

This program is also used in many schools and homes to improve typing skills.

[edit] Trivia

The character of "Mavis Beacon" is not a real person, but rather an animated character created to bring a personal touch to the tutorial. Some have speculated that her image is modeled after Chicago schoolteacher Marva Collins. Her first name is in homage to Mavis Staples, and to evoke the concept of a maven. Her last name represents her role as a light to guide your way.

Mavis Beacon was mentioned in the American version of the TV series The Office by the character Jim while talking to Pam about how fast she types.