Keyboard trainers is a type software and web services designed to teach typing on a computer keyboard. With their help, you can increase speed, reduce the number of typos, reduce fatigue while typing, and also comprehend the so-called touch typing method. touch typing method- This is a high-speed typing that uses all ten fingers, without having to look at the keyboard. Keyboard simulators, as a rule, contain training instructions on how to type text correctly - the position of the body at the computer table, the position of the fingers on the keyboard, etc., as well as directly workshops- Typing quests.

Consider below a few keyboard simulators - programs for Windows and Internet services.

1. Stamina Program

Keyboard trainer Stamina– popular free program for teaching touch typing.

On the VerseQ website, you can also download additional functionality built into the program - modules of alternative keyboard layouts, wallpapers for the interface, sound effects.
< h3>5. Rapid Typing Tutor Program

Rapid Typing Tutor- free software keyboard simulator for teaching touch typing. The program can be downloaded from its official website. In addition to the usual installed in the system Windows versions, Rapid Typing Tutor also has a portable version that is ready to use immediately after extracting the archive.

Rapid Typing Tutor is based on the classic teaching method with the monotonous repetition of pressing the same keys. The trick of Rapid Typing Tutor is different: in addition to free distribution, the program supports 25 different languages ​​​​of the world and is flexibly configured - from interface design to parameters for passing lessons. The training course includes 5 stages: introduction, beginner, advanced user and expert levels, as well as the summative testing level. All these steps do not have to be used in sequential order, you can start with any of them.

Rapid Typing Tutor is installed with touch typing training courses for Russian and of English language. Courses for other languages ​​are added to the program as a separate step. The program is multi-profile: it can be used for parallel training of several people on one computer.

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Rapid Typing this is free beautiful and multifunctional keyboard trainer. With this program, you can easily short term learn how to type quickly and without errors on the keyboard. Comparing Rapid Typing with commercial programs for teaching typing on the keyboard, it is worth noting that program no less functional, has a nice design, does not contain annoying ads and is very effective. Several hours of work with the program and your fingers know where the right keys are located, and your eyes check what is printed on the monitor without looking at the keyboard. If you are determined learn to "blindly" type quickly and accurately, Rapid Typing will gladly help you achieve this.

Program for fast and interesting learning to type on the keyboard

The Rapid Typing program supports changing themes, color schemes, soundtrack. In the program, the keyboard is displayed at the bottom of the window (the design and its type can also be easily changed) with hints which hand, which finger and which button to press. It will be not only useful, but also interesting for a child to learn how to type correctly on the keyboard; for this, the static background of the design of lessons in the program can be changed to a background with animation elements. The program provides training for several users, each with its own individual settings. Maintaining statistics, the function of editing lessons, help with working with the program, a friendly and intuitive interface of the program with support for Russian and Ukrainian and the competent and professional training in the basics and subtleties of typing on the keyboard embedded in the program make Rapid Typing an excellent and indispensable virtual teacher on your PC. Believe me, after a few lessons from Rapid Typing you will be pleasantly surprised by your achievements in typing speed, remembering with a smile how recently you slowly, with one finger, were looking for the desired letter.

The archive offered for download contains two versions of the keyboard simulator - installation and portable (portable). You can always take the second one with you on a USB flash drive wherever you go.

It’s really quite difficult to learn how to quickly type text on the keyboard, there are no options, you will have to master the blind ten-finger typing method, this is when you don’t look at the keyboard, but only at the screen, while pressing the keys with the right letters correctly. I have a very deplorable situation with this case, I type sentences, poking out into the keyboard, and then checking for errors, in general, I spend a lot of extra time. the best keyboard trainer, for teaching the blind ten-finger method typing, today is Stamina.

The installation of the program is standard, the standard list of questions, the license agreement and in which folder to install everything. It's nice that this short procedure takes place in Russian.

Before you start your workouts, I recommend that you get into the help file and get acquainted with how to place your fingers on the keyboard correctly, believe me, after that, the training will go much more fun and easier. After that, we can press the start and start learning, which consists of separate lessons, with increasing complexity, gradually getting used to the standard combination of letters to complex phrases. For those who find the lessons boring, they can switch to the “Phrases” mode or upload their own text file. Extreme people can choose “ALL letters”, where a hodgepodge of letters, numbers, punctuation marks and other printed characters will run, after such a mockery, they will definitely learn how to type texts of any complexity without looking at the keyboard.

To make it easier to understand where the desired key is located, which must be pressed, and not be distracted from the screen, it is highlighted on the virtual keyboard. Plus, we have allocated contours with which fingers it is more convenient to press a certain block of keys, with correct location hands

After each lesson, statistics are given, how many mistakes were made, and what is the speed of typing characters per minute. The same information can be seen at any time by clicking "Progress" in the main menu, but only if working in the "Phrases" mode.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the peculiar sense of humor of the author of the program, which permeates everything, from the inscriptions, the help file to the soundtrack. The mood will definitely lift, although some may not like all these farts, grunts coming from the speakers. The most extreme sound can be turned off in the program settings, but you can get rid of all sounds by performing a surgical intervention by deleting the contents of the Sound folder.

Stamina even got its own player (very simple and very peculiar) that will brighten up your life while you are doing serious business. To add a separate song, a folder with your favorite music or edit a playlist, press "F12" or go from the main menu "Options->List of songs ...", then I think you will figure out what to do and what buttons to press.

In Settings, you can change the sound volume for different events and adjust appearance programs in accordance with their concepts of beauty.

Now I will give you some advice. Run the program in Windows 7 only as an administrator, then errors will not pop up that some files are missing. The program comes with ready-made dictionaries in Russian, English, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Portuguese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish and Swedish for teaching touch typing. If you can't add Stamina to work on one of them, check that this input language is installed in the operating system, after which everything should work.

First of all, Stamina captivates with its seemingly frivolous approach to business, but this does not mean that it cannot teach you how to quickly touch type, that's all right. The main thing is not to stop half way, but go the way of a student and become a master.

Works great in 32 and 64 bit operating systems. The program interface has been translated into several languages, including Russian, and who doubted, our compatriot made it. The language is selected automatically depending on the settings of your operating system.

Page for free download of Stamina http://stamina.ru/keyboard trainer/download

Latest version at the time of writing Stamina 2.5

Program size: installation file 4.62 MB

Compatibility: Windows Vista and 7, Windows XP

The speed of performing a task on a computer may depend not only on obvious factors: processor performance or, roughly speaking, human ingenuity. Sometimes the most limiting factor is purely mechanical work, namely typing on the keyboard. Thoughts go far ahead, and the fingers do not have time to fix the text. Obviously, this situation is faced not only by writers, journalists, programmers, but also by all those who have to type text with two or three fingers without taking their eyes off the keyboard.

Surprisingly, the blind ten-finger typing method, discovered back in the 19th century, is now many times more relevant for every active computer user. Its skillful application can significantly reduce the time spent on text input.

The review includes keyboard simulators, each of which has at least one hallmark among programs of this kind. Therefore, when choosing a simulator, you can navigate by the headings of the review.

"Solo on the keyboard": a reliable all-rounder

"Keyboard Solo" is the most versatile keyboard trainer, so it's worth starting the review with it. In addition to Russian, English and German, the Taming of Numbers course, which will be useful, for example, to accountants. Universal edition includes Russian, English and digital layout.

The first impression after installation can be skeptical: too informal approach. However, the further the user moves away from the beginning of the course, the more meaningful these digressions become. They allow you to take a break from fairly monotonous exercises. Perhaps the greatest benefit of textual material is recommendations for correct pressing, posture, correct technique, which is important for blind ten-finger typing. Looking ahead, only Solo delivers this information evenly throughout the course.

Before doing the exercises, you need to do a warm-up, which helps to adapt to the "Solo". In real time, as well as after training, you can get acquainted with the statistics: average score, speed gain, number of errors. Statistics are available not only for exercises, but also for days, it can be used to trace the dynamics of the exercises.

Keyboard trainings do not contain meaningful phrases, these are pre-prepared "synthetic" expressions - unlike, say, the VerseQ considered further, where the string for typing is formed based on user errors. By the way, in "Solo" mistakes are extremely unwelcome, often you have to redo the task several times. The requirements for passing are strict, the exercises become more difficult with each new level, of which there are about a hundred. Yes, apparently, it is not in vain that the program provides for psychological tests.

The interface of the program makes an ambiguous impression. Comparing with previous versions of "Keyboard Solo", it cannot be said that new interface, designed in gray and green, significantly improved the ergonomics of the program. On the one hand, it is quite convenient to work with, all settings and elements are well documented in the help. But you can find fault with the fact that on the virtual keyboard it is not indicated which finger to press this or that key, no hints are displayed during the exercise. As a result, not having sufficient experience, you need to return to the description of the exercise.

VerseQ: learning from your mistakes

In the description of the program, what is more important is not that the user will be able to type blindly “literally in an hour” (according to the author of the simulator). Attracts something else: VerseQ uses algorithms in training that are not based on “training”, and also does not “punish” for mistakes made during exercises. Moreover, the course is based on user errors and problematic phrases, which, according to statistics, most often have difficulties. Moreover, by design, the user does not learn about his mistakes from the statistics, VerseQ imperceptibly adjusts them in further exercises. Despite this, overall statistics are displayed both during training and in the form of training dynamics by pressing F9.

Three modes of operation are available - with German, Russian and English layouts. There are no introductory exercises, in addition, all the letters of the alphabet are already initially involved. However, you should not expect that the typed text will be meaningful: as a rule, these are repeated combinations of letters that are phonetically related to each other (they can be pronounced). The technique is based not only on pressing, but also on the transitions between the keys.

A distinctive feature of VerseQ is a moderate "tone" of presentation, a soothing color scheme and a neutral design in general. It is not known how much effort it takes to exit the program in a state of irritation. By the way, if we talk about the price issue, in "Keyboard Solo" a warning about an unregistered version appears after each exercise, in VerseQ - only at the beginning of the program launch.

All the most important information collected in a concise help file: how to use the program correctly, teaching methodology, keyboard technique. Perhaps what is missing in this simulator is more detailed instructions for working with exercises, as is done in "Solo".

Typing Master - a classic of the genre

By and large, this simulator could not be included in the review, since it does not support the Russian-language layout, but still: a) it is useful for improving touch typing skills in Latin in English, Spanish, German, French or Italian; b) The Typing Master is a great example of a structured, balanced course.

Typing Master's strict approach and conservatism will not appeal to every user, at the same time, compared to Solo, the program is presented even more concisely. Typing Master offers the following courses:

• Touch Typing Course - directly, touch typing course
• Speed ​​Building Course
• Numbers Course - a small typing course on the top digital row
• Special Marks Course - an express course on additional characters: brackets, mathematical signs, etc.
• Numeric Keypad Course - Numeric Keypad Course

Each course consists of theoretical and practical blocks. At the beginning of the exercise, the time for completing the task is indicated, it is also proposed to choose the difficulty (from 90% to 98% of correct hits). In the mode of learning new keys (“new keys”), the letters for typing are not connected phonetically, but in the “drill” mode, you need to enter exactly the words: there are separate exercises for words, sentences, paragraphs. At the end of the task, statistics are displayed from which you can find out which keys cause the greatest difficulty.

Additionally, it is worth noting the TypingMaster Satellite - an assistant that works in the background and tracks the mistakes made, and also creates individual exercises for the most difficult combinations.

The interface was created by developers who are attentive to detail. First of all, it explains very intuitively and literally which finger to press which key, with attached keyboard diagrams. It is very useful that errors on the keyboard are displayed as crossed out keys (in other simulators this is not, which leads to several repeated errors after one wrong press).

TypingMaster does not allow you to deviate from the given program even one step and is somewhat reminiscent of dry language grammar courses. However, this cannot be called a disadvantage, rather - salient feature of this simulator, which will either keep the user or push him away.

Stamina - freedom of action

After reviewing the Typing Master, Stamina turns out to be the most “non-serious” simulator in the review. The program will not appeal to users who find the developer's sense of humor inappropriate and at the same time are fully committed to learning the ten-finger typing method. Non-seriousness begins with help, all kinds of comments and ending with voice acting. To the sound - special claims made by visitors on the home page of the program. This point can be fixed with a patch or through the "Censorship" option in the Stamina settings.

Despite the foregoing, it is not worth jumping to conclusions and ignoring the simulator. It is enough to pay attention to the variety of training modes - "Lessons", "Phrases", "Letters", "All Symbols" and "External File". Of greatest interest are the lessons, which are divided into basic exercises, combinations of letters, numbers and symbols. Regarding the lessons with the numeric keypad: the developer claims that he “did not make them very hard” and invites users to participate in the development process themselves (quote: “Can you do something smarter?”).

Unfortunately, the author of Stamina placed the program with its wide capabilities in an inconvenient shell, so when starting the simulator it is not entirely clear how and in what sequence all this functionality should be handled. On the other hand, the help explains quite intelligibly the course methodology, basic concepts, typing techniques (the position of the fingers on the keyboard, etc.). Special attention is given to an alternative method of placing fingers on the keyboard.

The keyboard simulator can also be advised to work with the Ukrainian or Belarusian layout (that's something you won't find in other simulators). The basic distribution contains lessons in Russian, English, Ukrainian, it is possible to connect phrases in other languages.

In this way, main feature Stamina - the freedom of action provided to the user. Therefore, you can perform the exercises in any order, create your own course. The disadvantage of the method is that it is not known how soon concrete results can be achieved with this approach.

Klavarog - online training

Klavarog is a self-sufficient online simulator, indicating that the project can exist and develop through donations. And development progress is actually noticeable if you look at .

In Klavarog, similarly to the same Stamina, there is no set sequence like step-by-step exercises from simple to complex. The simulator fixes errors and adds problematic words to each generated line of text (the principle of operation is similar to both Stamina and VerseQ).

It is convenient to navigate the keyboard layout using the color scheme, it can be turned on in the program settings (the "fill" icon). A hint in the form of a hand is very useful, with which finger to press the desired key (a similar possibility was seen only in Typing Master). Experienced users can turn off all hints or switch to Zen mode, where there are practically no distractions.

In addition to standard courses with Russian and English layout, there are courses in digital layout, Esperanto, PHP, Python, SQL, XML/XSLT programming languages. Special attention is drawn to exercises in the dictionary: you need to enter correct translation words from available options. If the word is chosen incorrectly, it must be entered three times. Thus, it is possible to kill two birds with one stone: "keyboard" and language skills are improved at the same time. True, due to the fact that the set of words is generated by the program, guess correct option translation is easy enough.

Unfortunately, in this keyboard trainer you cannot record results, track statistics and skill development. In general, the possibility of creating an account on the site would not hurt - technically this can be implemented.

You can make your suggestions for the development of Klavarog on the page.

Bombina: a simulator for the little ones

"Bombina" occupies a free niche where there are no competitors. This simulator is designed for teaching schoolchildren (rather even younger children). school age) ten-finger blind typing method.

The shell of the program is “cartoonish”, children should evaluate it. However, reasonable complaints may arise in adults. The interface is not intuitive in all places, and it will seem inconvenient that the navigation elements or, for example, the "Start" button at the beginning of the exercise are not clearly marked out: you have to look for them. For example, who would have thought that the image of a rag is the local analogue of the "Exit" button.

There are questions about the method of the simulator: how the training takes place, what to pay attention to parents and children. It turns out that there is a fairly detailed help that exists separately from the program. It is recommended to start "Bombina" with an introductory course, which explains in detail the placement of fingers on the keyboard, and gives a description of the keys. Then you can move on to the exercises. If in other simulators the emphasis is on transitions and keyboard chords, here you need to pay attention to jumping "chips" and repeat their movements.

The "Bombina" provides difficulty levels that affect the number of errors allowed in the exercise. You can activate auto-transition from one difficulty level to another: it will work after successfully completing the exercise with a high score at least three times.

As a result, given that the program has a lot of interactive elements, modes (there is even logic game), it can be advised for teaching children computer basics. By at least, Bombina will be a smarter choice than an endless series of casual games.

Table 1. Comparison of keyboard simulators by functionality

Name of the simulator	Distribution terms	Layout support	Training Modes
shareware	Russian, English, German, Italian, digital	Warm-ups, tasks, exercises, exam
trial	Russian, English, German	Exercises
trial	English, Spanish, German, French, Italian	Exercises, games, tests
Freeware	English, Russian, Ukrainian +	"Lessons", "Phrases", "Letters", "All Symbols", your own text
donationware	Russian, English, digital, Esperanto, phonetic +	Training, beginner, speed, vocabulary, programming
Freeware (1 user), shareware (multi-user version)	Russian, English	Exercises, games, your own text

Key features

• a unique alternative for the position of the hands on the keyboard;
• support for various layouts and languages;
• sound effects for musical accompaniment work;
• special lessons that help memorize the location of the keys;
• a set of phrases that increase the speed of typing;
• a set of text fragments from separate files;
• displaying a graph of the user's progress with the output of statistics by sessions and by days;
• backlight, which helps to determine the position of the current letter on the keyboard;
• the ability to work with multiple users in the program;
• built-in lesson editor.

Pros and cons

• free distribution;
• easy and fun learning to type quickly;
• support for various layouts for training;
• the ability to edit tasks in lessons;
• Russian-language menu;
• simple and user-friendly interface.

• not detected.

Analogues

Qwerty. A free classic trainer for learning how to quickly type on a computer keyboard. It uses the ten-finger touch typing technique. Its features are a large keyboard with "jumping" buttons, different levels difficulties in exercises, training in typing special characters, displaying convenient graphs of results.

iQwer. A shareware application for teaching fast typing. It contains bright color palette, which divides the keyboard into nine zones for individual fingers, different learning modes - "Words", "Sentences" and "Syllables", statistics are kept for each individual user.

Rapid Typing. Free keyboard trainer. It has wide opportunities for study settings, several useful exercises, bright design, which contributes to greater efficiency in the process of work.

How to use the application

When you first start the simulator, a window will appear in front of you with the help, called "Aibolit". It describes a little work with the program in a fun and funny way.

Help window

The interface looks like this:

Interface

It is divided into two fields. One is for working with text, the other displays a virtual keyboard. On it, the letters are separated by green lines in order to understand which finger should press the key.

Hand position

In the Mode menu you will find various options lessons: phrases, letters from phrases, all symbols, etc.

In the "Options" menu, you can change the layout, disable the display of the virtual keyboard, and set up background music.

Stamina will give you the opportunity to thoroughly master the method of touch typing.