Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!attctc!jolnet!swan From: swan@jolnet.ORPK.IL.US (Joel Swan) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga Subject: Re: Software for Kids? Keywords: Education Software Kids Message-ID: <1282@jolnet.ORPK.IL.US> Date: 9 Aug 89 08:31:12 GMT References: <21076@cup.portal.com> <89219.124243UH2@PSUVM> Reply-To: swan@jolnet.UUCP (Joel Swan) Organization: Media Specialties LTD Lines: 54 Interesting that someone just brought this subject up. I had spent a few days last week asking various dealers the same question- what is some good educational software out there? They all said, "I don't know. People buy this stuff and never tell me how good it is." Well, I bouth a couple titles from various software developers and here are a couple reactions 1. THE DISCOVERY SERIES- trash. I could have done better (in fact some people had) on a PET 2001. This text only series of "tests" is one, hard to understand their directions and two, boring as all get-out. Kids would rather stare at a TV that is unplugged than sit any "play" this junk. 2. TALKING NOTEBOOK SERIES - (I had Mathtalk) OK Good graphics and good concept. Parents or teachers can make up tests. The problem here is that the program was VERY slow and sluggish. I don't think they used Amy's normal intuition. It looked like a cheap port from an IBM PC or such. 3. WHERE IN *** *** IS CARMEN SANDIEGO - (I've got "THE WORLD" version) Very well done for the most part. The "game" uses the World Alamanac as an educational source (although a set of Encyclopedias may do better) as the player tries to track down a spy who has stolen some country's treasure. Graphics are OK (again, pretty much a port) and sound is OK. (It did bother me though that they hardly ever mix sound and animation on the screen at the same time. Maybe they were to used to some "other" computers where all you can do is one or the other. While the places of geography is somewhat limited, you do learn quite a bit about each one. The strongest point for this educational games is its stronmg attraction to kids. I could not tear my 5-10 year old nieces and nephews away from it once they started. BTW- it is totally mouse driven and easy to learn. I do plan to get "Where in the USA is C.S." and "When in the World is C.S." for the kids. This is the only package I've used that I will consider buying another in the series. That's all I've used so far. BTW- have you seen "Super Hang-On" by Activision? It is a Motorcycle race on the order of "Out Run," only this thing is FABULOUS!!! I have never seen such beautiful scenery that passes you by while you speed through the country side, desert, city, etc. It is VERY playable and yet challenging. (they did invert the mouse/joystick option. When it says joystick, it means mouse) If you like arcade games, check this one out. The sound effects are minimal, but you have your choice of 5 or 6 tunes to play while racing. It really surprised me how good this one is. -- - Joel E. Swan [ swan@jolnet.UUCP <> PLINK ID: Amiga*joel ] [ "Amigas.... for the rest of us." <> CI$ : 74746,3240 ] [ "...peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:8 ]