Keyboarding Online works in all environments!
| Operating System | |
|---|---|
| Windows XP |  |
| Windows Vista | |
| Windows 7 | |
| Mac OS X | |
| Linux/Unix | |
| Laptops | |
| Netbooks | |
| ** Any operating system that supports Java 1.4 or higher | |
Try it for free
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Testimonials
Keyboarding Mastery is a great program, not only for beginners but also for experienced typists.
My classroom style is quite structured. With this program, I am able to touch base with every student as they finish a lesson, both to review their progress on that lesson and to introduce them to the new keys in the next lesson.
J. Hayhoe,Yale Secondary, BC
Third party software requirements
Java plugin/runtime (JRE) 1.4 or higher is required on user computers (this is a FREE plugin, pre-installed on 75% of computers and easily obtained from www.Java.com). Ellsworth Publising Co. (EPC) software programs and Keyboarding Online programs are actively maintained Java projects and will always be compatible with the most current JRE (currently 1.6x) and actively used older JRE's.
Explanation of bandwidth needs
A lot of thought and planning was given to making KeyboardingOnline.com very efficient with use of Internet bandwidth. Schools with as little as DSL service have successfully used Keyboarding Online. Home users can easily use their own broadband or dial-up connection. Here are some of the things we have done to keep the techies happy:
- EPC software programs utilize compression in both client and server programs and student data files to minimize bandwidth requirements.
- Student keyboarding programs are approximately 300 KB in download size (expanding to 3x size once downloaded). To give you a better idea of file size--almost 5 copies of the program could be saved on a floppy diskette (if you can remember the floppy disk; the point is that file size in minimal). This program file is also automatically cached by the Java plugin on user machines (this significanly speed load time, see caching below).
- Student data files range in size from 1KB - 25KB in download size (the size of a moderately long email); the range varies by program and by the number scores that get recorded as the student progresses through the lessons.
- No streaming is used (Keyboarding Online is NOT a bandwidth hog!) Once the program is open and loaded, no additional downloading is used as students progress from lesson to lesson. Score data is saved to a file in memory and uploaded intermittently as needed (this saves the need to use the Internet after each and every timing is done). This means that you could easily experience a 5-10 minute Internet outage and not notice any problems. Internet access is needed to start the program and to end the program (save the student's work), Internet access is not required in between those times.
- Caching: The JRE will automagically cache the programs that are downloaded. When a request is made, the JRE first checks to verify if the program being held in cache on the student computer is the same version as the one about to be opened online. If so, it simply loads the program from cache and only the student data file is downloaded--saving tremendous bandwidth with multiple classes are using the same labs.
Support & Updates
Support is provided directly by EPC. Support is not contracted to third-party suppliers; our support and responsiveness is first-class service. Keyboarding Online is developed and maintained by EPC staff--this means that you are getting support with questions and suggestions directly from the creators of the product. EPC supports school staff and educators; home users will need to get support from their instrutor and/or designated school staff.
Updates are automatic, without cost, and without any software to install or upgrade! Since this is a product developed directly by EPC, new features and enhancements based on instructor feedback are continuously added for all users to enjoy.