
		 	                             W e l c o m e
		 	                                     to 
	                 	 	Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing
		 	                             Version 2.0.1

                                      12/21/92                                     

Contents:

	1. Introduction
	2. History of the Macintosh Versions of Mavis
	3. System Requirements for Version 2.0
		3a. Reducing Memory Requirement for Mavis
		3b. Reducing Your Monitor Colors
	4. Installing Mavis Beacon 2.0
	5. Defining Software and Hardware Problems
	6. Dealing with Problems While Running Mavis


1. Introduction

We at The Software Toolworks want to thank you for having chosen "Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing" to learn typing.  It is a proven method to learn typing from scratch or hone your current skills. 

The document you are reading now is an addition to the regular manual.  When running Mavis you should use the manual that came with it.  But we have presented some of the materials from the manual here to help you install Mavis, as well as some other text about items not covered in the manual.


2. History of the Macintosh Versions of Mavis

In 1988 we released version 1.3 of Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing.   While that version has taught thousands of individuals to type, it came in black and white only and did not support special training on the ten-key pad.  In the latter part of 1992, version 2.0 was released.  In addition to adding 16 and 256 color graphics, it now supports special ten-key pad lessons as well as some other features. 

We will continue to support Mavis Beacon for the Macintosh (as well as other computers) and welcome your suggestions and comments.


3. System Requirements for Version 2.0

Mavis Beacon Version 2.0 requires Macintosh System 6.0.7 or above.  Mavis also needs about 3 Megabytes of hard disk space and about 1.5 to1.8 Megabytes of RAM memory (depending on the Macintosh you are using) to operate in 256 color mode.  If you have fewer then 1.5 to1.8 Megabytes free in your system, you can set the memory requirements lower and run in 16 color (with about 1.2 to 1.5 Megabytes) or black and white only (with about 1.0 to 1.2 Megabytes) .  Execute the following instructions (#1 through #10) ONLY if you have less then 1.5 to1.8 megabytes RAM available, or want to leave more RAM for other programs:

Note:  It is recommended that you run in 16 color instead of 256 color if you have anything other then a "high end" (fast) Macintosh.  This is because, though the difference in actual colors is minor, any program running in 256 color mode will run considerably slower than the same program runs in 16 color mode.  If you already type over 60 words per minute, you may want to run in black and white mode to realize the best speed enhancement.  (See "Reducing Your Monitor Colors" below)

		3a. Reducing Memory Requirement for Mavis

	1.	At the desk top, select the Mavis Beacon icon (by clicking only once on it).
	2.	Select "Get Info" from the File menu.
	3.	You will see a dialog window titled "Mavis Beacon 2.0 Info"
	4.	You will see one or two editable text boxes at the bottom of the dialog with the number "1800" in it (them).	 
	5.	Change the number(s) from 1800 to 1500 (for 16 color) or 1200 (for black and white only).
	6.	Close the dialog (by clicking in the "go away" box in the dialog's upper left-hand corner).	
	7.	You may be asked if you are sure you want to make that change.  Indicate yes.

		3b. Reducing Your Monitor Colors

	8.	If you have a 256 color screen, you should reduce the colors to 16 color or Black & White now, before running Mavis Beacon.  To do this, follow the instructions in the Macintosh guide book that came with your computer.  Basically they are as follows:
	9.	Go to the "Control Panels and choose the "Monitors" control panel.
	10.	Change the colors to the new desired number.

You may now run Mavis Beacon in the new color mode, using less RAM memory than before.


4. Installing Mavis Beacon 2.0

	1.	Start your computer normally.
	2.	When the desktop is displayed, insert the Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing disk into the disk drive.
	3.	Double click on the file named "Installer."
	4.	You will be prompted as to how to continue the installation.
	5.	Once you have directed the install program where (on your hard disk) to install the Mavis program, the install program will take you back to the desk top.
	6.	You may now eject the floppy disk if you wish.
	7.	Open the folder titled Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing.
	8.	Open the application titled "Mavis Beacon 2.0."
		The program will start, displaying the title screen.


5. Defining Software and Hardware Problems

Bugs and crashes are perhaps the most common terms for computer problems.  A "bug" is some problem in the software (or hardware) that causes a "crash."  A crash is what happens when your computer displays a message such as "Error- You have run out of memory" and then won't let you continue running your program.  A bad crash may even cause your computer to stop working altogether and may make strange noises and/or put strange graphics up on the screen.  

There are any number of reasons a program will crash.  Common reasons are faulty computer memory, a faulty disk drive or floppy disk, and wrong instructions that a programmer wrote in the computer software itself.  If bad code is the reason for your crash, it may turn out to be the "system software" that allows your Macintosh to start up when you turn the power on, or some other program such as an "init" that runs in the background all the time, even when you are running a program such as Mavis Beacon.  Or, of course, the problem can be in the Mavis Beacon code itself.

We have gone to great lengths to make a product that will run without any "bugs" or "crashes."  Each version of Mavis is submitted to our Q.A. department for several weeks of checking under various conditions, on different Macintosh models including the Plus, Classic, LC, IIsi, IIci, Quadra, PowerBook, and other models.  It is checked while running in black and white as well as in 16 and 256 color modes.  It is also run under various memory configurations, with and without many of the more popular Macintosh systems inits.

Nevertheless, you may still experience some difficulty.  If you do have a problem that you cannot solve in any other way, please let our Technical Support staff know, and we will do all we can to help you solve it.

6. Dealing with Problems While Running Mavis

Here are some hints about dealing with any problems that may come up:

Memory - Make sure you have enough memory when running Mavis.  A common error is to set the memory requirements low when running in black and white (in order to save memory) and then forgetting to reset them higher when attempting to run in 16 or 256 color mode.  (See the earlier section titled "Reducing Memory Requirement for Mavis").

If you are still having problems, try increasing the memory limit to as large an amount as you can, then run Mavis again.  For example, the memory requirement for 256 color was 1.8 million bytes (1800k) as of version 2.0.

Sound - But if you do experience any problems at all, even if they do not seem to be sound related, try turning sound off after you run Mavis.  To do this click on the "Silence" menu item just after logging in.  This may help in the short run until we can offer you a better solution.  In addition, increasing the available RAM memory may help.

Importing Files To Type - One of the features of Mavis allows you to create your own text file on your favorite word processor, then "import" it to Mavis.  Mavis will then display your file and critique your typing skills while you type it.

Dvorak Keyboards - You may choose to learn the Dvorak keyboard.  This feature allows you to type on your standard QWERTY keyboard as if it were a Dvorak keyboard.  But the current version of Mavis Beacon will not work with a dedicated Dvorak keyboard.  That is, if you plug a "Dvorak only" keyboard into your Macintosh, Mavis will still think it is a QWERTY keyboard and attempt to alter your keystrokes from QWERTY to Dvorak.  Thus anything you type will be interpreted incorrectly.  A later version of Mavis will correct this problem.

Screen Savers - If Flying Toasters or other complicated After Dark files are used and there is a problem running Mavis, then select a screen saver file (or mode) that does not use as much memory.

Messages - Various messages will come up during the program.  To make messages go away just before starting a lesson, click the mouse.
