TykeWriter is a word processing program intended for children who are learning to read and write. It is trivial to learn and use. TykeWriter can be used without the keyboard, using only the mouse and on-screen alphabet. This makes the child task of learning to write much simpler. The child is no longer confused and distracted by having to look down at the keyboard to find each character’s hiding spot. Also, the child is presented with only the features that they are likely to use. As the child develops, new features can be added by changing the level setting for that child.
The "Grown-Up", a parent or teacher, can customize TykeWriter to best suit each child using the "Grown-Ups" pull down menu. The Grown-Up should set the "Level". The "Level" determines a number of different TykeWriter features. Many of these features can be overridden using the other Grown-Up menu selections. The levels are defined as follows:
Beginner - Only the most essential set of features are included.
Intermediate - Adds lowercase characters, a print button, and a
simple tool for selecting predefined styles.
Advanced - All of TykeWriters features are enabled. This includes
the ablility to open and close documents. Also, text can be copied
and pasted. An easy to use tool for selecting text color, font and
style is also added.
Install and Setup:
TykeWriter can be used without proper installation and setup by simply double clicking on the TykeWriter Icon.
To correctly install TykeWriter:
1) Drag the TykeWriter folder onto a hard drive. If you have a folder
labled "Applications", that would be a good place to store the
TykeWriter folder.
2) Regardless of where you stored it, double click on the TykeWriter
folder. For each child who will be using TykeWriter, repeat the
following steps:
- Duplacate the "Sample Kid" folder and rename after the child. Drag
the new folder to a logical place on the hard disk if you want. Your
child should store his or her masterpieces in that folder.
- Double click on the child's new folder. Inside will be a file labled
"Tyke's Settings". Select that file by clicking on it once make an
alias of it by pulling down the file menu and selecting the "Make
Alias" command. Rename the new alias file to the name of the
child. Leave the file "Tyke's Settings" unchanged.
- Drag the new alias file to either the desk top or the launcher (or
both). The child should run TykeWriter by double clicking this alias.
For More Information:
TykeWriter has web-site provides information about new releases, documentation, bugs and reviews. It is at:
"http://w3.icdc.com/~lazarus/tykewriter.html"
Please report any problems and send comments to lazarus@icdc.com.
I hope to write user documentation for this version of TykeWriter and it will be posted on the usual archives. A new and improved version of TykeWriter should be released every 6 months or so.
Hardware/Software Requirements:
TykeWriter was developed using version 7.1 of the System Software. It has also been tested on 7.5. It should work with all desktop Macintosh running any version of System 7. Its DRAM and disk requirements are below one megabyte. This version of TykeWriter is not suited for lap tops because of the smaller screen size. I doubt that TykeWriter runs correctly under System 6 and older OS releases. Please let me know if it does!
New Features:
1) Easy to use tool for setting fonts, color and style.
2) Even easier to use tool for selecting preselected styles.
3) Splash page with announcement.
5) Bigger keys for easier selection.
6) Voice can say each letter as it is selected.
7) Accents for typing French, Spanish and other European languages. Just pull down "Grown-Ups" and select the "keyboard" configuration screen. Set the "Accent" option. The "Accent" button will appear next the the "Shift" button. The Accent button allows the user to add an accent to the last character typed. It presents the user with a mini keypad of that character with all of the available accents.
Legal Stuff:
This version of TykeWriter may be copied and distributed for free. Its use is limited to educational and recreational purposes. Use at your own risk. We are not responsible for any damages arising from use of this software.
All rights reserved. This program cannot be modified.
If you send $10, we will be forever grateful. Please make checks payable to David Lazarus and send to the following address:
David Lazarus
7852 Spring Ave.
Elkins Park, PA 19027
Limitations:
TykeWriter is not intended to be a full featured text editor for adults or advanced students. There are a number of very good word processing programs such as Word, Word Perfect and MacWrite Pro which should be used by anyone who is serious about their writing.
TykeWriter documents are limited in length to a few thousand words in length.
