Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing

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Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing
Developed by	Brøderbund LLC/Software MacKiev
Latest release	20 (cross-platform), 2008 Edition (Mac OS X-only)
OS	Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows
Development status	Active
License	Proprietary
Website	[1], Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 2008 Edition

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is a software program for teaching touch typing. The program was initially released in late 1987 by The Software Toolworks, and has been published regularly ever since^{[citation needed]}. Version 5 supported both QWERTY and the alternative Dvorak Simplified Keyboard layout, though more recent versions support only QWERTY. Earlier versions were made for Apple II, Commodore 64, Atari 400/800 (version 1 only), Apple IIGS, Atari ST, Mac OS, Windows, PalmOS (version 16), and Amiga systems. The Windows versions are published by Brøderbund. The current Mac OS X version, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 2008 Edition, is developed and published by Software MacKiev. 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. 2008 Edition for Mac OS X also includes two-player competitive typing network games. 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.

1 Mavis Beacon
2 In Popular Culture
3 External links
4 References

[edit] Mavis Beacon

The character of "Mavis Beacon" is not a real person, but rather a fictional character created to bring a personal touch to the tutorial. The original photo of Mavis Beacon was of a bankteller in Sherman Oaks, California, the city in which Software Toolworks, the original publisher, had its offices. Former TV talkshow host Les Crane, who was then a partner in Software Toolworks, invented the name. Her first name was borrowed from one of Crane's favorite singers, Mavis Staples. Her last name represents her role as a light to guide your way.^[1]

[edit] In Popular Culture

Mavis Beacon was mentioned in the U.S. version of the TV series The Office by the character Jim while talking to Pam about how fast she types.
Actor Josh Hartnett said he used Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing to teach himself to type in preparing to play a journalist in the movie Resurrecting the Champ.^[2]