Welcome to another issue of Game Bytes. We're proud to keep on putting out good quality issues of the magazine and we hope you'll keep reading them. I'm writing this even as I'm trying to herd my 3 little boys (Jordan 8, Taylor 4, and Connor 2 and a half) away from the computer. This is an abberation that only lasts while I'm trying to put out Game Bytes. Why? Because my kids LOVE to play on dad's computer. Do I encourage this? You bet I do. One of the things wrong I see so often in the business world today is many "professionals" don't know how to do the most basic operation required of computer users today - they don't know how to type! I was not given much chance NOT to know how to type as I started in Jr. High School and continued all through it during High School. Typing!!?? Boring!! (I must confess, my desire to take typing class had everything to do with my intense desire to be as close to the lovely Debbie Conine as possible. Typing was an easy 'A' and a great way to check out the beautiful side of our species! Yes, yes, I'm SO ashamed...). By simple practice and repetition, my typing skills improved to the point of being able to easily type 75 words per minute on an IBM Selectric typewriter. With the advent of the word processor, I improved even beyond that, scratching triple figures on many occasions.
So, what the heck does this have to do with gaming? Well, nothing directly, I guess, however only to illustrate a point. Learning to type has never been easier and never been more fun and enjoyable for computer users of all ages. For mature adults, one can take the professional approach through the excellent Mavis Beacon Multimedia series of typing tutors, all the way down to the youngsters favorite, Mario, as Interplay makes the chore of learning to type fun with Mario's Typing Tutor. Windows, DOS and CD-ROM versions are all available with the latter even adding dictation exercises. Plus, it's just a lot of fun. Gamers should note - if you're still in school, take advantage of every opportunity to learn how to type well. You'll be surprised how much of an edge you'll have in the business world.
On a final, brief note, this is the issue of Game Bytes that precedes C.E. S., so get ready for some exciting news in the next issue as all the major game companies are gearing up for their fall/winter release. You get to look forward to the famous Erickson/Game Bytes C.E.S. report!
Enjoy it and thanks for reading Game Bytes!
Ross Erickson Editor/Publisher