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Speed reading computer application programs are available. Vortex Speed Reading was the first; however Vallier, the creator of the program, did not update it and it would not work in Windows XP. Other programs are available on the Internet, many of which employ the same techniques and methods as in Vallier's software. Many speed reading programs use a different approach to the usual 'speed reading' tips where a few words are grouped together to be read. One method is of software is presenting words to the reader one at a time in the same position, stopping the eyes from having to move around as they would on a normal paragraph. These programs present the data as a serial stream as the only way the brain handles text is breaking it up into a serial stream before parsing and interpreting it. Speed reading programs pre-processes and serializes text, so the brain does not need to do so. Usually, commas and semi-colons have a single break and periods, question marks, exclamation marks, and speech marks have a double break. Some speed reading programs include watching the center of the screen while watching the lines around it expand, watching a several objects (instead of text) move by in a line and watching an object bounce around, up and down, left and right and require the user to focus their eyes on the object while it moves. The method of using objects are criticized by some who state that the only way to read faster is to read actual texts. The newest speed reading software is attempting to guide the user through the lines of an on-screen book at certain speeds. It does so text by creating a clear focus point and moving it through the lines. This software is packaged with a "speed reading manual" that explains the principles and methods in work in the program, as well as instructions and tips on eliminating subvocalization. It is crucial for any user hoping to buy these programs to be extremely skeptical even given positive reviews. Some claims to be wary of are the complete elimination of subvocalizations and the ability to attain reading rates well beyond 1000 wpm. Courtesy of Wikipedia (The Free Encyclopedia)
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