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Press Release
Penfriend Ltd |
Press ReleasePenfriend Ltd is pleased to announce the release of Penfriend XP, the predictive typer for Windows XP, 2000, NT, Me and 98. It benefits from streamlined design and economical pricing, and is available for many platforms. Predictive TypingPenfriend XP helps those with dyslexia, specific learning difficulties and physical disabilities to type more effectively by predicting the next word they intend to write. It works alongside any normal word processor software, and monitors what is typed. Before any letter is typed, it suggests a list of probable words, any of which can be finished with a single keystroke. Predictive typing speeds up typing by saving keystrokes. For physically disabled people, this saves effort and time, helping them to write longer documents or complete other tasks. For those with dyslexia, it avoids the doubt and error of typing so many letters, again saving time and improving accuracy. It is easier to identify a correctly spelt word in a list than think how to spell it from scratch. Unlike a spelling checker, a predictive typer does not wait for you to make a mistake before helping; it builds confidence by predicting correctly spelt words before you make mistakes. SpeechPenfriend XP includes a speech synthesiser (using SAPI 5) to speak as you write. It can read back each letter, prediction, word or sentence as written, and can read text from the clipboard of virtually any application. This helps people with limited literacy to concentrate on the meaning of a text, or to improve their literacy by following the highlighted words as they are read. On-screen keyboardPenfriend XP also includes an on-screen keyboard. This enables the physically disabled with control of only a mouse, tracker ball, or other pointing device, to select letters and therefore write. For those with dyslexia it removes the need to glance between keyboard and screen. However, being included with Penfriend XP, it is more affordable than alternatives. Penfriend XP also offers abbreviation expansion to write whole phrases when only a coded sequence of letters is typed. PerformancePenfriend Ltd has a long and distinguished history of effective and well-designed word prediction. In a study by the CALL Centre, which specialises in studying and recommending literacy tools for disabled users, Penfriend was found to be the most effective predictive typer, predicting more than 70% of words by the time the first letter was written! Penfriend XP has a carefully chosen range of features to allow people with various abilities to write, but is not crowded with incomprehensible options. Colours and fonts are precisely adjustable for each user, making the predictions as legible as possible. The number of predictions offered, the technique by which items are replaced on the list, and the way in which new words are learned and offered are all adjustable according to taste. It is supplied with a range of lexicons containing vocabularies for those just learning to write, children, and older writers, and of course learns new words and improves its prediction as it is used. It knows each persons favourite words and writing style, updating its records continuously. SupervisionIt has an unusually effective way of dealing with new words, making it easy for parents or teachers to distinguish between newly learned correct (but unusual) words, and misspelt words. Writing style is recorded for each user, with Penfriend XP supporting an unlimited number of people. On Windows NT and above, the lexicons are automatically remembered for each user, but in all cases lexicons can be loaded and changed at will, with all of the options as well as words being configured separately for each user, to make it even more convenient. Penfriend XP exceeds the capabilities of previous products. It is available for Microsoft Windows 2000, NT, XP, Me and 98. The previous product, Penfriend, is still available for Windows 3.1, 95, 98 and Me, and also for Acorn Risc OS. Penfriend XP includes speech synthesis from SAPI 5 as standard, and the voices may be replaced using optional third-party speech engines. Its usability has been improved but amazingly, the lexicon files remain compatible between the products. AvailabilityPenfriend XP will be available from the start of October 2001, from Penfriend Ltd and all good educational and special-needs software suppliers. It will cost £60 for one licence, and £20 per additional concurrent user. For existing owners wishing to upgrade their licences, it will be available at half price. A free demonstration copy will also be available for download from http://www.penfriend.ltd.uk/ Acclaim"Penfriend is simpler and cheaper than other related products."
"Penfriend is easy to use and not overloaded with options."
"Penfriend is a 'cracking' program with excellent lexicons and hidden
sophistication in its ease of use."
"Penfriend is easy to use."
"This is an amazing
program that can provide children with the ability to write down what
they can usually only talk about."
"I have not stopped writing since Nick installed Penfriend this afternoon - IT IS AWESOME. With MindReader it took me a day to write half a page..... The prediction is absolutely fantastic and in such a short space of time it's predicting so many new words of mine. 1/4 of the effort and 10x the speed. Now my hands should keep up with my brain. Thank you for this
magnificent gift of freedom and for taking the frustration out of
writing for me."
About Penfriend LtdThe Penfriend product range has been available since 1993. Penfriend Ltd was formed in 1999, having taken over from Design Concept. It is a privately owned business based in Edinburgh, Scotland, but trades across the globe. For more information, please contact Roger Spooner at the above address. |