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• Simple Sums version 5.1
  
  I have had quite a lot of feedback about my software but I would really like some more. Having read all your comments I have improved Simple Sums and I think it is much better now. Some of the improvements are:

  it is possible to choose whether to add 2 or 3 numbers the cursor automatically goes to where you need to put in the answer you can press return rather than having to press 'check'. I have now included divide. you can choose the maximum value of each number in the sum eg if you are working on 'adding on' you could have the first number going up to a maximum of say 20 and the second number having a maximum value of 5. I have included some little blocks that change colour if you click them - these can easily be used as a counting aid for the easier sums. Where a wrong answer is inserted the correct solution is included in brackets on the printout.

  If anyone would like this new version I will be very pleased to send it out. It is very easy to upgrade from the previous version and should only take a few minutes. I hope existing customers will be happy to contribute £5.00 towards it. Just email me and I will send out the upgrade and then I hope you will send the money if you are happy with the improved product - if you are not happy I would just be very grateful for some feedback. The previous version of Simple sums has recently been described as "A very useful programme for those needing to practise basic numeracy skills" and this new version is much better.

  I have made Simple Sums in VB.Net which is quite new. It means that if people have not got the latest version of Windows they will probably have to install the .Net framework first. This is not a problem and it is on the Simple Sums CD but it does take a little while to install. Simple Sums needs Windows 98 or later to work. For more details of this software please click here.
  
  Days Months and Numbers is still very popular and I hope it helps people learn to spell all these important words. I thought I had learnt how to spell them when I made the programme but I still seem to make mistakes sometimes.
  
  Do email if you are interested to know more or if you would like to order the game or one of my other products.
  
  
• The Country quiz
  I wondered why I hadn't got any Country quiz entries and so I tried to enter myself. I soon realised that the form didn't work - I am really sorry but I have now corrected this. Do please have another go at entering - I will leave the same quiz on for another month to give people a chance to enter. It will now close on May 31st.
  
  
• Emails and Messages and keeping the site up to date
  

  I am still trying to keep everything up to date. It is really hard as I get lots of emails, messages for the message board, spelling tips, quiz entries and absolutely hundreds of birthdays. I do read everything that comes in but I do struggle to answer everything as I have loads of school work as well. In fact I don't get home from school until 9.00pm each night. If it is possible to send a message for the board it might be better than sending me an email - that way lots of people get to see it rather than just me. Some of the emails are really useful and it is such a shame if no one else sees them. Please do keep visiting and keeping this site alive - it is such fun to run it.

  
  
• Laptops
  I get loads of emails asking for advice about buying a laptop. I have had quite a lot of experience now and I have also seen problems that other people have and my mum also works with pupils who use laptops in a Special School.
  
  I thought that I would start a new page so that people could send in their experiences about using 'computers in schools' and then visitors could read the page before making up their minds about what to buy. When I have a few contributions I will start the page Below I list a few of my own thoughts but please do send in more by clicking here to fill out a form:
  • People who need to use a laptop often find organisation difficult and sometimes I think that the modern computers (whether they are Windows or Apple based) are much more complicated than necessary. Indeed most people only need a good word processing package and the ability to print easily. This can be done far more simply with a simple word processor than with an expensive laptop. There will be far fewer problems, it will turn on more quickly and there is much less to go wrong. However most people do think that an expensive laptop is necessary and I must say I love mine!
  • The most important things are that the laptop should be light and have a good battery life. The Apple iBook has both these qualities.
  • It must be easy to print your work. You may have to discuss this with your school. I find this easy as I print out my work each evening at home. I know printing can be a real problem as some people tend to save their work and then loose it! If there is a printer in the classroom then it is easy but again if the school only has windows PCs then it might prove easier to get a Windows laptop. You need to really think how work will be saved and printed out and make sure it will actually work.
  • There must be a good word processing package to use. Microsoft word is the most common and is generally used on Windows Computers. You can also buy it for an iBook.
  • Most software runs on Windows computers. The software for Apple iBooks is limited. eg my software only runs on a Windows computer.
  • Lots of people want Winwdows laptops because they can play games on them - often people waste hours doing this. They can easily be removed from the laptop.
  • I find it very easy to use an iBook and also Windows computers and I find it very easy to copy things from one to another. I realise that I probably find this easier than most people and as most schools will have Windows computers people might find a light Windows computer simpler. However I love my Apple iBook!
  
  Please send in lots of ideas and do share your experiences - it will help everyone. Thanks.
  
  
  
• Sailing

  This Easter we decided to go sailing on the Norfolk - we were really lucky as we had brilliant weather and loads of wind. Actually it was quite cold at night and there is absolutely no heating on board. As usual we had a 1930 mahogany sail boat. It has no motor and only runs on the wind. If you are interested in the boats please go to their website at http://www.huntersyard.co.uk.

  
  
• MY OLD NEWSLETTERS
  I still have my last newsletters and they can be read by clicking here. Also if you remember I used to have a news page, well I have put these back on, so please click here to go to them.