Individual Training for Windows

Review by Debra Engler / Alamo PC

Individual Training for Windows is an interactive self-paced training program for Windows. Installation of the software was very easy. In the Program Manager, I selected the file menu then choose run, then typed in a:\install. I was then asked which drive and directory to copy the training program files to. The documentation contained in the package is brief; however, it is concise. The actual program is interactive, well written and easy to follow. Additionally on-line help is available, screens are easy to read, and commands are user friendly.

Each page in the tutorial involves you in the learning process. At times you will be asked to interact with the course by answering questions on performing certain actions. You will always know you are required to perform a task when a special interaction icon is displayed. These interactions icons concern question, activity, and practice. If the question icon is displayed, then you will be asked to answer some type of question. If the activity icon is present, then you will be asked to perform a certain activity, perhaps choose an item or follow a series of steps. Finally, if the practice icon appears, you will then be able to practice a concept as long you want. As you progress through Individual Training for Windows, you will see windows which give feedback, hints, or more information.

The Menu is divided into seven section which include:

Startup,

Basics,

File Manager,

Printing,

Multimedia,

Techniques,

Accessories

Startup is a good way to get familiar with the course. Basics gives an overview of fundamental Windows concepts. File Manager, Printing, Multimedia, Techniques, and Accessories give an in-depth look at Windows features. There are icons for hint, index, resume, and menu.

Startup contains four areas and includes

How To Use This Course,

What Is Windows?,

Using a Mouse, and

The Program Manager.

The five parts of the Basics section are:

Windows Skills,

Working With Windows,

Customizing Windows,

Working With Groups, and

Getting Help.

File Manager is also composed of five sections that contains:

File Manager Basics,

File Manager Display Options,

Working With Files and Directories,

Working With Disks, and

The Role of DOS.

The three components of the Printing section are:

Fonts,

Working With Printers, and

Print Manager Options.

The Role of Multimedia, Sound and the Sound Recorder, Working With CD-ROM’s, The Multimedia PC, and Using OLE with Multimedia are subjects covered under Multimedia. The section entitled Techniques includes Power Options, Using Windows on a Network, Working With PIF’s, Object Linking and Embedding, and Power User Shortcuts. If you are interested in learning about Write, Paintbrush, the Macro Recorder, or Using the Notepad, Cardfile, Calendar, or Clipboard, then go to the Accessories section.

Other features of Individual Training for Windows include hotwords of red words or phrases that are definitions and blue hotwords that contain more information. There is also a lesson status indicator near the left bottom of the screen to help you feel in control as you progress through the course. If you want to complete the training in segments, a lesson check mark will help you remember which lessons you have covered.

I liked using Individual Training for Windows, because it reduced the intimidation of Windows. I would strongly recommend this program for someone starting out in Windows due to its ease of use. As time allows, I will delve further into some of the sections that I quickly skimmed.

The address for Individual Training for Windows is Individual Software, Inc., 5870 Stoneridge Drive #1, Pleasanton, California, 94588-9900. Their toll free phone number is 1-800-331-3313 which is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Individual Software, Inc. claims to be the leading independent producer of computer-based and multimedia training, and task-oriented productivity software for personal computers worldwide.

Individual Training for Windows requires a Microsoft Windows compatible computer with 2MB RAM available, Windows 3.1 or higher, VGA or higher display, hard disk with 4MB of space available for Training, hard disk with 2MB of space available for Skill Assessment, and Microsoft compatible mouse recommended.

The manufacturer’s suggested list price is $69.95 for one machine with multiple users and $499.95 for the network package. The software is not available in retail stores. To order, call Individual Software at 1-800-331-3313.