Rapid Typing Tutor for Windows aims to help speed up your typing through a series of lessons. This freeware application will have you start out with just a few letters, work your way through punctuations and short syllables, tackle capital letters, key in longer words, and then run through digits and finally longer blocks of text. More advanced typists can jump around to specific lessons if desired.

While typing, to keep you entertained an animated aquarium scene appears behind the characters to be keyed (this can be turned off if you find it distracting). A visual keyboard appears below, with transparent hands moving as you type.

After each lesson you can view your progress. This includes your speed and accuracy, showing which characters (if any) were mistyped. You can also view your progress and records, with charts and graphs to illustrate.

The software supports several interface languages including Chinese, French, and Portuguese. You can, to a limited extend, customize your keyboard type so the on-screen images match your actual keyboard. Other customization options include the colors, keyboard shortcuts, and toggling sound effects.

Windows 2000 and up are supported, and according to the author, the software can be run under Linux via Wine. The software may be downloaded at the following site. Note that a portable version is available:

* Rapid Typing Tutor

Print This Tip

Get E-Mail When New Tips are Online

Return to the Miscellaneous Software page.