Typing Tutor was software that assisted on how to type effectively on a modern keyboard via touch typing, similar to Mavis Beacon. This is a 16bit Windows application and was intended to be run on both Windows 3.11 and 95, but will work on 98 up to the 32bit versions of Windows Vista. It was commonly bunded with OEM systems as part of other software. For me this came preinstalled on a Time Desktop PC (UK based OEM that sold cheaply built PCs) along with HomeWise and MoneyMatters.
Install
The start screen, each user can have their own profile where they can enter their name and specify their own password. The program can then keep the users score and keeps track of their lessons independently without affecting the other users grade.
User Interface
You are introduced to the keyboard layout and the primary keys (ASDF and JKL;) and are then asked to type a few simple works to get you started. Gradually as you move onto a higher level, the words to type become more longer and complex. At first you are prompted to enter a single letter, which will then move onto three letter words.
Whilst you are typing, the software calculates the WPM (Words per minute) and your accuracy (dependant on any mistyped keys). If you frequently mistype or make mistakes, the program will inform you and will give you simple words or letters to help you refocus. The application can be configured to beep to give the user audio feedback as to their progress, and will sound a tone if they make a mistake or when they start a new chapter. This uses the PC beeper rather than the soundcard.
There are different exercises that get progressively difficult as you complete them. When you have completed all the courses, you are offered the option to complete an exam, of which you are awarded with a certificate that you can then print out.
Games
There are two games that are centred around typing
The first game require you to unblock water pipes by typing in words to help the frog escape, that has fallen down the well. Several different levels are available with more longer words being provided on the harder difficulty.
Second one is a bit more mundane, you have to type out the aliens details into the system, completing as many records as you can before time runs out.
Sort of like an expansion pack to Windows 95, this adds additional features that enhance the Windows 95 experiences such as desktop themes, maintenance utilities and some bundled software like Internet Explorer which would be its debut.
Install
Looks like your typical Microsoft installer of the era
Post Install
The boot screen has changed!
Desktop Themes
A selection of themes from the Plus pack. Users of Windows 98 will find these themes look familiar as these themes later appeared in Windows 98 (Along with the Space and Underwater themes). These themes change everything, from the desktop icons to the toolbar layout and fonts (that carry over to the programs that you use), to the sounds and mouse cursor. Science and Inside Your Computer where my personal favourite, used to rock those a lot back in the day.
Utilities
DriveSpace: Compresses the entire dis to allow for more efficient use of hard disk space at the expensive of performance, only works on FAT16 volumes
Internet Starter Kit: Designed to help get users online
Task Scheduler / System Agent: Allows you to schedule certain tasks, such as programs being run at a specific time. Useful for maintenance tasks like Scandisk or the Disk Drefragmenter but also for anti virus programs. Also useful if you wish to run a program at a reoccurring time.
Visual Enhancements
These were designed for high performance systems of the time that supported graphics acceleration
High Colour Icons: By default Windows 95 only supports up to 256 colour icons, with the Plus! pack you can have icons with up to 65536 colours.
Window Dragging: The contents of the windows can be seen when the user drags the application window around the desktop. Previously only an outline of the window could be seen
Anti-Aliasing: Softens the edges of screen fonts and UI elements, similar to ClearType in Windows XP, using the hardware acceleration of the graphics card
Wallpaper Stretching/Scaling: Desktop wallpapers can be stretched to fill the screen if the image resolution does not match the display resolution, using the hardware acceleration of the graphics card
Product Catalogue
The multimedia catalogue, this isn’t installed onto the user system, instead its run straight off the CD-ROM. A showcase for other Microsoft consumer software and products.
Microsoft BOB, which was released from around that period.
Microsoft arguably made the most ergonomic mouses, and loved to show them off
Pinball
The Pinball game was originally developed by Maxis (Yes, the SimCity and The Sims Maxis) makes it debut here although the actual retail game had a lot more levels/machines, in plus pack only one level is featured.
Science Explorer was a piece of software I remembered back in school which ran on RM Window Box PC’s (although it did not require it, able to run on 16 and 32 bit Windows systems). Designed as a learning tool for ages 7 to 11, it focused on a variety of different science subjects.
The user interface is reminiscent of early adventure games like Myst, it makes heavy use if CD-ROM technology to load pre-rendered 3D images that give the impression you are in a 3D environment, albeit with a heavily dithered colour palette. You are supposedly transported to a underwater science facility which provided learning activity related to science, with different sections dedicated to various subjects of science.
Whilst the software does install some files to the hard drive, Science Explorer is run mainly off the CD-ROM, since hard drives at the time had limited storage capacity. This means the software is constantly accessing the cd drive, A moderately faster drive is recommended since the program loads the images off the drive as the user navigates the facility.
Each user has their own account, which is accessed by entering their name which keeps track of what that they have learned, the subjects they have accessed and their test scores, however there are no passwords.
Map
User Interface: Like Myst you navigate thought the facility using the mouse, where the cursor changes to indicate the direction where you are going. Moving to a different area, the software loads a different image from the CD-ROM. You can teleport to a different area instantly (depending on the CD-ROM speed) rather than having to keep clicking on the screen to navigate, and you an jump to a specific component in the subject
Each subject has the same formula, a Briefing, Investigation and a Tell Me More
Investigation
An interactive exercise relating to the subject, this is like a practical exercise and can very depending on the subject. Either you have a problem to solve, or a test that you can carry out using various factors. One example was the sound insulation exercise, where you can discover which materials are better at insulating sounds of a different pitch.
Briefing
A introduction to the subject, the text on screen is narrated and is typically accompted by an image relating to the subject.
Tell me More
Gives additional information relating to the subject, may not be part of the curriculum but still interesting to know.
Fact Point
Gives a interesting trivia relating to the type of science.
Interesting, since this came out in the late 90s, where the tower of Pisa had been shut due to stability concerns. Thankfully they managed to stabilize the tower and was able to reopen.
Compatibility
Since this old software was designed to be run on Windows 3.1 to 95 & 98, it contains some 16bit components that prevent it from functioning on modern 64bit Windows systems. PCem v16 was used to emulate the Windows 95 environment that the software was designed to run on, which was running from a ISO image (PCem can access a physical CD-ROM drive on your host PC, but its slow and has a delay which leads to stuttering.
Adi was a learning assistant. I’m not sure if this would be classed as a game, it does contain a few games, but Adi is not considered a game in itself. It’s kind of like Microsoft BOB or Packard Bell Navigator, only more focused at primary and secondary school students, which had a focus on Maths and English exams.
Since the game was designed to run on Windows 95, I’ve captured these from a Windows 95 install running in PCem(Fantastic emulator), emulating a Pentium Overdrive-based system. The game makes use in Intel’s Indeo technology and Microsoft WinG, not DirectX. Maybe this was to allow Windows 3.1 compatibility, but Adi is a 32bit application. The software makes use of various technologies such as Intel Indeo for the video and animation playback, this is automatically installed for you
The splash screen appears whenever you start Adi.
The software was released under Windows only, and came as part of three discs, the first being the main software disc, the second containing many of the various games and the third disc contains the year specific subjects for math and English.
There were many different editions of the software with the key stage 2 version covering years 3 – 6 and having a more cartoon appearance whilst the key stage 3 version taking a more mature interface. Typically all the key stage versions had the same two discs, with the third being different depending on the school year.
User selection screen each user has their own profile which was meant to track their progress with the math’s and English exercises and online activity.
Creating a new user for the first time, here you specify the Name, DOB, School Year and then your favorite traits. This would have been viewable online to other users, since Adi had support for online virtual classrooms, which as you have probably guessed are no longer online.
Shortly after you will be transported to his attic, and its kind of a nice-looking attic. This is where different sections of the application can be accessed. You can click on certain object to open different parts of Adi. Objects you can click on are indicated by the mouse cursor, which changes when you can select an item.
Objects will randomly animate if Adi is left unattended for a while, or you can animate the objects yourself.
When you move your cursor to the bottom of the screen, a row of buttons will appear that you can click on which will let you quickly access various activities, or can be used to exit Adi to change the active profile. The question mark icon acts as the context help, where the cursor will change and Adi will explain what that item does.
By the way, Adi always runs at 640 x 480, running at higher resolutions results in a black border being displayed around the screen.
Jukebox gives two options, Music and Background Music. Music allows you to play sample music from various genres, most likely from a generic sound library. Background music lets you select ambient music like city traffic and jungle rainforest sounds.
A picture editor lets you freehand draw on a canvas, basically MS paint but comes with some built-in clipart.
Adi comes with a calculator, although you might as well just use the Windows one, unless you are already in Adi and need access to a calculator and Alt+Tab isn’t an option.
A notepad-like component. This supports the use of passwords for certain memos.
Simulations
These were an interesting part of Adi, these are like mini-games that learn you of real-world issues, and how certain actions affect things like the environment or the economy. Although a bit relaxed since these simulations lack restrictions like budget, keep in mind this is aimed at kids.
Investigations the effect of water and waste pollution near a seaside, you can change various options such as how clean the beaches are, if tanks should be cleaned at sea, the pesticides used in farming and the use of water treatment plants. Reminds me of SimCity where you had to be careful of the type of industry you zone in order to keep pollution levels in your city low.
Whilst this was engaging as a kid, its too sandbox, having something like a budget would be more realistic, i.e having cleaner batches reduced pollution but costs more since you would need to install bins and people to help clean the beaches up.
Set to emulate a random village in Africa, this investigates the effects on the savanna by local residents. A balance will need to be found to prevent the savanna from becoming dry, whilst keeping the residents happy and satisfied. Adding power and water infrastructure helps but again does not take into account the cost of such infrastructure.
The effect of pollution on a small valley/village, you have to balance the output of factory’s at the expense of the village health and the pollution of the environment.
The balance of nature, this explores the relationship of Rabbits and Fox’s with human hunting, and how nature is a delicate cycle.
How a company works
A simulation of capitalism, you have to balance sales and market share with R&D in order to guarantee growth.
How a country gets developed, you choose what type of war the country is currently in, the health and education of the population which has an effect on the population amount, farming, and international investments.
Other Activities
The Solar System
Information relating to the solar system, back from a time when Pluto was still a planet. Clicking on a planet would give you information on it such as its size & mass, temperature and observation of the planet.
Astronomy
Shows different consolations about Greek mythology
The Space Conquest
A timeline of different event from both the Russian and American space programs
Endangered Species
Animals that are at risk of being endangered, and animals that have already become extinct.
The Water Cycle
How H2O works and the water cycle.
Online
There was an online component of Adi, where you could meet other users online and access chatroom and virtual classrooms. Unfortunately, the online servers are no longer online.
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