There is no denying that speed reading software programs can be expensive. Some of them are well worth the money, because they offer many different features and benefits that cannot be found in other programs. However, RapidReader is a speed reading program that is a great value for what you get. There are not all the bells and whistles as you find in other programs, but it does deliver on the promise to improve your reading speed and comprehension.
Overview
RapidReader is marketed by SoftOlogy Idea Works. It is available for both Windows and Mac computers. It is easy to download and install on your computer. The user is then brought into a tutorial that explains how the program can help you improve your reading speed and comprehension and the features and benefits of the program.
RapidReader is designed to help the user overcome obstacles that limit the ability to read quickly. The physical activity of moving your eyes across a page to read is time consuming. RapidReader uses something the company calls Human Cadence TM technology. When you use the program you will see a rhythm to the words as they are displayed. The timing is set to mimic human speech. Using this technology allows the user to more easily comprehend the text on the computer screen.
RapidReader is also designed to help the user break the habit of sounding out every word they read. This is a habit we learn as children. However, RapidReader makes reading as easy and comfortable as watching your favorite show on television.
Features
When you compare the features of RapidReader to some of the other speed reading programs on the market you will find them a bit lacking. However, this program does provide some basic tools and exercises that will allow the user to improve reading skill, comprehension, and retention.
The user can use RapidReader to speed read his or her own documents, email, email attachments, or webpages.
In the speed reading practice session mode the user can view the words per minute read and how much is left in the document. It is easy for the user to pause or leave a speed reading practice session. While a lot of the features in RapidReader are not customizable, the speed at which the text is displayed can be adjusted at any time.
Help and Support
SoftOlogy Idea Works has provided an extensive on line knowledge base for help and support. There is a section on the website titled “How Do I” and this section gives detailed explanations on how to do certain things within the program including how to open a document in RapidReader, how to set or change the reading speed, and how to pause the program.
The company also provides a troubleshooting section to the website. This section answers many of the common questions and problems a RapidReader user might encounter, including problems with PDF files loading in the program or the RapidReader shortcut button did not load on the menu bar of MS Word.
If you cannot find the answer to your question or issue online you can contact the company directly for technical support. You can contact the company via email, phone or snail mail. The only drawback to contacting by telephone is that a toll free number is not provided. You need to call the number for their Las Vegas office.
Conclusion
While RapidReader does not contain the features one might expect in a speed reading program it does provide an effective way to improve your reading speed and comprehension. You can download a free trial of this software before buying to see if it is worth the money. The free trial is exactly the same as the full paid version of RapidReader, except you are limited to only being able to open 15 documents in the trial version.
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