Frequently Asked Questions

General Instructions for Downloading and Activating RapidReader:

To download and activate RapidReader:

Follow the link on the email confirmation you received or

Select your product from the drop down menu on the free demo page:
http://www.rapidreader.com/free_demo.html
Fill out the information and download the file.
During installation you will be asked to select a MODE. Select FULL
You will then be asked to enter information. Please enter

(PLEASE NOTE: If you are validating from an installed demo please:
Launch RapidReader
Click on PURCHASE on the menu bar
Select NEXT
Select FULL MODE
And enter the information below)

Name: Your Name
E-mail: the email address you used for your purchase
Order #: located on your order confirmation email

This will activate your product. You will see the word FULL MODE in the
lower right hand corner of the RR window.

There is a brief tutorial available upon install. We highly recommend that
you spend the few minutes to experience what reading 500 wpm feels like as
well as get an overview of features and functions to get you up and running
quickly.

Installing RapidReader on Windows Vista and Windows 7:

When installing RapidReader on your Windows Vista or Windows 7 system some additional steps are required to set administrator permissions.

You may also need to manually enable "add-ins" to MS Word, Internet Explorer and Outlook.

Installing RapidReader on Mac OS X:

After you click on the download Mac OSX selection The installer will be downloaded as "Installer.tar" Double-Click on the installer icon The installer will be opened with "Stuffit Expander" into a folder labeled "RapidReader6 Installer Folder"
The folder will contain an item labeled RR6_Meta.mpkg. This is the installer package Double-Click on the Meta.mpkg icon The installer will open and place RapidReader 6 in the Applications folder
Once you've installed RapidReader, you'll want to create a Desktop RR Icon for convenience Go to the Applications Folder on your hard drive Single-Click on the RapidReader 6 icon. On the Finder Menubar Click on "File / Make Alias" This will place an Alias icon in the Applications folder. Drag the RR Alias Icon onto the Desktop

 

Installing RapidReader on a Palm Smartphone:

RapidReader for Palm comes with a PC software called "RR to Palm".which is installed on your desktop when you download RapidReader for Palm. This program converts any document you wish from your PC to a RapidReader document for the Palm. Now it's easy to move all your documents to your Palm for accelerated reading. In addition you can also RapidRead Palm Docs, e-mail and attachments.

When the program has finished installing, locate the "RRtoPalm" icon on your Desktop, and double-click on it to install RapidReader onto your Palm device.

PLEASE NOTE:
You can really get up to speed immediately, by using the 2 minute accelerated reading tutorial the first time you use RapidReader on your Palm-compatible handheld. It is displayed automatically the first time you run RapidReader. It will give you much better results and is far more efficient than simply increasing your speed a little at a time. And while you're increasing your speed you will also learn about all the things RapidReader can do for you.

In addition to the Tutorial, there is a chapter from a book, and other sample files installed on your Palm handheld so you can start reading right away.

For information about installing on a Palm Pre Smartphone please click here

Installing RapidReader on a Nokia Communicator 92-9500:

RapidReader installs on a Communicator using the standard PC synch software that accompanied your device. Please follow the Nokia instructions for syncing applications from a desktop.

For Nokia communicator smartphones the help files are located as a selection in the RapidReader application on the device.

If you receive a dialog box stating you cannot validate:

Please check to see that the information was entered correctly (it is case sensitive).
If you still have difficulty please contact support.

If you receive a dialog box stating you "need to be connected to the Internet":

If you are behind an organizational firewall it may be that you are not allowed to connect with our activation server. If this is the case please contact us at support. so we can accommodate you with an alternate solution.

General Instructions for Opening Files in RapidReader:

RapidReader PRO: Opening PDF files

To RapidRead a PDF. Simply "Drag and Drop" it onto the RapidReader PRO desktop Icon. You don't even have to open Adobe Acrobat at all. RR PRO uses an artificial intelligence engine to analyze the PDF to extract the text and import it into RapidReader for you. All the page numbers are the same for both RapidReader and the original PDF for easy reference between documents. You can even convert and save the PDF to RapidReader Mobile or Palm format to speed-read on your Mobile Phone.

NOTE: Should you receive a message saying "Cannot parse files of this type" it is because the PDF is locked, copy protected or scanned as an image.

TIP: Use the DogEar Markerin the RapidReader version of the PDF to note the placement of pictures or graphics for later review.

RapidReader PRO: Batch Opening E-mail and Attachments in Outlook

With RapidReader PRO you can speed through dozens of emails at a time in Outlook. Simply Shift Click to select a range of emails and Click on the RapidReader button on the toolbar. All of the selected emails and their attachments will open as a single searchable file. You can move through them by pressing "N" when ever you want. You can also RapidRead MS Word and PDF attachments by simply pressing "A".

TIP: You can easily create a summary of email correspondence for legal matters, for your review or to pass on to a colleague.
Please Click Here to for a step-by-step guide and to see more Power-User Tips for business.

RapidReader Mac: Opening Files in RapidReader

NOTE: For efficiency please Create an Alias for RapidReader from your applications folder and place it in the dock or on the desktop for easy access.

For more information and step-by-step instructions please click here

MS Word for Mac:
RapidReader for Mac includes direct integration into MS Word for Mac. It will typically place a button to the right of the Word tool bar. Clicking on this button will convert the entire document to RR format.

The RapidReader item opens in a separate tool bar to the right of the Word menu bar. Depending on your configuration it may not automatically load and you will have to enable it by :

SELECT> TOOLS on the MS Word Menu bar
In the drop down menu SELECT>TEMPLATES AND ADD-INS
SELECT> RapidReaderAddin.dot
CLICK>ADD

PLEASE NOTE: For efficiency, if you are planning to read multiple documents you don't need to close and re launch RapidReader for each document. Clicking on the RR Button in Word will will replace the previous contents as will Copy / Paste in for web pages and other document types.

For other document types:
Text documents:

1) "drag and drop" the document.txt icon onto the RapidReader icon.
2) The file will then open in RapidReader.

For RTF documents:
RapidReader will not natively open the .rtf format.

1) Open the rtf file and then select all (CMD+A)
2) Copy (CMD+C)
3) Launch RapidReader then
4) Paste (CMD+V)

The rtf file will open in RapidReader

For PDF files:
RapidReader PRO for Windows includes an artificial intelligence component that analyses a PDF and extracts the text. At this time this is available only in RR PRO Win.

For RR for Mac there is a work-around which should yield satisfactory results.

1) Open the PDF file and select VIEW > CONTINUOUS
2) Select all (CMD+A)
3) Copy (CMD+C)
4) Launch RapidReader then
5) Paste (CMD+V)

The text of the PDF file will open in RapidReader.

For Web Pages:
RapidReader does provide a "Service" within Safari. Click on SAFARI > Services > RapidReader. However due to the nature of the architecture of Mac you will still have to select the text you wish to read before you select Service.

It may be more efficient to use the following procedure which can also be used with any browser; Firefox, Camino et al.

NOTE: if there is a "printer friendly" version of the page available it is easier to select the text of the story and avoid importing navigation etc into RR.

For Printer Friendly

1) Open the web page file and then select all (CMD+A)
2) Copy (CMD+C)
3) Launch RapidReader then
4) Paste (CMD+V)

The text of the page will open in RapidReader

For Standard Web Pages.

1) Open the web page file and then CLICK and DRAG to select the text you wish to read.
2) Copy (CMD+C)
3) Launch RapidReader then
4) Paste (CMD+V)

The text you selected will open in RapidReader

You can save any document imported into RapidReader for offline reading. This will also save any Notes and Highlites you've made in the document.

1) Click FILE > Save As

For more information about using the Notes and Highlites features and how to save time and energy on everyday tasks for work or school Please Visit..

http://www.rapidreader.com/creative_uses_mac.html

 

Using RapidReader with Firefox, Safari and Other Browsers

You can open a web page from any browser with RapidReader Windows or Mac.

Tip: If you get a text not found message or you are unable to copy the text of a web page select the "Printer Friendly" version of the page and proceed with the following

Include Readability HERE

RapidReader can be used with any browser by using the Select / Copy function. Click and Drag to select text within the browser window. OR Select All (Cmd+A) and Copy (Cmd+C)
Double click on the RapidReader Desktop Icon to Launch RapidReader. Click in the Window and press (Cmd+V) to Paste the text. OR Select FILE>OPEN FROM CLIPBOARD The text you selected will appear in ParagraphView. Double Click on any word to begin. TIP: To streamline opening several pages in in a row; MINIMIZE RapidReader rather than re-launching each time.

 

Can I Read E-books with RapidReader?

Yes, as long as the book isn't copy protected. Because RapidReader needs to open the book as a RapidReader file, it needs to have access permission to the document. The easiest way to tell if it's available to RapidReader is to select some of the book and select copy (CTRL+C). If it's a PDF that is copy protected you will get a dialog box saying "Cannot Parse Files of This Type".

Please visit the RapidReader FREE Library for a large selection of books formatted for RapidReader and RapidReader Mobile and links to thousands of journals, newspapers and more.

Visit the RapidReader Free Library

 

How Do I Move Files to My Mobile to RapidRead?

How Do I Purchase RapidReader?

From the RapidReader site: There is a link on the home page as well as each of the product pages that will take you to our secure store. When you complete your purchase you will receive instructions via email for downloading and validating your RapidReader.

To enter purchase information to activate an already downloaded trial version:

Launch RapidReader
Click on PURCHASE on the menu bar
Select NEXT
Select FULL MODE
And enter the information below

Name: Your Name
E-mail: the email address you used for your purchase
Order #: located on your order confirmation email

This will activate your product. You will see the word FULL MODE in the
lower right hand corner of the RR window.

 

Is My RapidReader Purchase Secure?

Yes. The RapidReader store is on a separate secure server and any information you provide is not available to anyone outside the purchase process.

How Many Licenses Do I Receive?

You will receive 3 licenses when you purchase RapidReader. These can be used any way you wish. We do recommend that you save one license in the event of a system crash or the purchase of a new computer.

NOTE: Please be sure to keep your confirming purchase email as you will need it for validating your download.

RapidReader PRO and Standard: a "Head to Head" Chart

Please Note: You cannot install both the RapidReader PRO and RapidReader Standard on the same machine. Please select which product best suits your needs based on the table below. Here you'll find the essential differences between the two. If you wish to try both you can install one version then uninstall it in order to try the other version.

RapidReader PRO has all of the features found in RapidReader Standard Edition such as integration into MS Word and Internet Explorer and the markup capability. But RapidReader PRO also supports accelerated reading for PDF and direct integration into Outlook e-mail. Because of the complexities inherent in the PDF format PRO includes a powerful analysis engine to examine the PDF file and extract the text for you to RapidRead.

PRO PRO also has support for e-mail in Outlook. For instance, if you selected 50 e-mails from your in box, with just one click, the RapidReader engine would extract the message and key information like "from","date" and "subject" field's as well as the name and type of any attachment. The the entire batch is delivered to you in sequence in the RapidReader flow. RapidReader PRO is ideal for time savings for proofreading, research, technical information or reading professional and academic content.

RapidReader Standard for Win or Mac DOES NOT include support for PDF or Outlook email. It is a feature rich environment based on the patented RapidReader engine. It's ideal for keeping up on internet news, researching for reports, proofreading MS Word documents, "rapid review" for exams and student assignments.

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Feature	RapidReader PRO	RapidReader Standard
Translation engine for RapidReading PDF	YES	NO
"Drag and Drop" to open PDF in RapidReader	YES	NO
Direct integration into Outlook toolbar	YES	NO
Integration for PDF attachments in Outlook	YES	NO
Direct integration into MS Word toolbar	YES	YES
Direct integration into Internet Explorer toolbar	YES	YES
RapidReader Big TYPE option included	YES	YES
RapidRead from clipboard	YES	YES
"Drag and Drop" to open text files in RapidReader	YES	YES
Add Notes, Highlite text, add "Dog-Ear" page markers	YES	YES
Save in RapidReader format (r2d) with notes and highlites	YES	YES
Save in RapidReader format for Palm and Symbian mobile	YES	YES
Support for RapidReader Editions of Books in r2d or txv format	YES	YES

 

Purchasing Questions or Problems?

Please contact us at Support.

 

Why Should I View the Tutorial?

I know, I know, you hate tutorials and manuals. We don't blame you.

However, this one is probably different from any you've ever experienced. You might think that the best way to accelerate your reading speed with RapidReader is to simply go faster a little at a time until you get used to it. That certainly seems reasonable and intuitive. However it turns out that the fastest way is actually to start slow and then plunge right in. That's what a technique called "flooding" does. The tutorial is your guide to this powerful method. When it comes to accelerating your reading speed it may be the best few minutes you'll ever spend. So when you first download RapidReader you'll have an opportunity to take a brief "test drive" that will introduce you to “Flooding” and get you up to speed the fastest and most efficient way possible. This clinically designed process only takes a couple of minutes and you'll see what reading 500 wpm is like. Once you experience it you’ll never need to doubt your ability to multiply your reading speed and comprehend fully.

Average Reading Speed

Average reading speed on paper: 200-230 wpm
Average reading speed on a computer screen: 100 wpm.
Average reading speed on a smartphone screen: 40 wpm.

After 3 minute RapidReader tutorial:

Customer average reading speed with RapidReader: 350+ wpm

So Please start your RapidReader experience with a tutorial that's unlike any you've ever seen.*

*It's also available any time you want under the "HELP" menu.

What is Flooding?

Essentially the process is a bit like getting on the Autobahn for the first time. As you enter traffic it may seem that everything’s happening too fast. You might feel barely in control then you have to go even faster to keep up with traffic. At this higher speed even though there may be some “white knuckle” moments, you find that you can accommodate pretty quickly. Then when you get off the Autobahn and back to normal highway speed your experience tells you that now it seems like you’re moving reallllly slow. That’s the principle of flooding. By pushing the current limits of your reading speed and comprehension you’ll be amazed at how much you actually can read and understand. By going beyond your comfort level your range of reading ease expands. From there you’ll discover your own comfort level for your daily use. Often times you'll vary the speed even within a document depending on the content. You may even want to start reading with a brief "flooding" exercise of your own to see how fast you can read.

 

Why Does RapidReader Work?

RapidReader is the adaptation of more than 10 years of clinical research which was taken out of the lab and developed as a practical software application. University research showed that there were two principal barriers to high reading speeds. The first was having to move your eyes across the page. The second was the childhood habit of "sounding out" as we read. The solution in clinical trials was to alter the display of text into a format much like a movie. The result? The subjects were able to consistently read and comprehend 1600 words per minute! By displaying the words one at a time in sequence, in the center of the visual field at a very high rate of speed, the subjects were able to accelerate their reading speed to many times their previous average. They did it without training of any sort. They simply sat back and "watched" the words. In later brain scans it was discovered that this speed was actually due to processing words as symbols in the visual cortex not in the brain areas associate with reading. This happens almost instantaneously in the same way we recognize a Stop sign. So if you can recognize a word you can understand it even at extremely high speeds. The display challenge was met by the use of a computer . Our brains do the rest.

From a purely practical standpoint RapidReader is a "lean-back" experience which eliminates scrolling and having to "find your place" every time you scroll.

To read more about the studies and the science behind RapidReader please click here

How Does RapidReader's High Reading Speed Affect My Comprehension?

It improves it. There are a number of reasons for this. One is the addition of Human Cadence to the reading experience. This adds another layer of information to the reader that is not available in any other form. Another important factor is that when the text is moving quickly we have less time for our minds to wander. We've all had the experience of forgetting the paragraph we just "read". Actually what happens In typical reading is that our brains are much faster at processing than we are at reading. Consequently we are prone to distractions while our mind occupies itself while waiting around for the next word to process

The results of a joint study conducted by SoftOlogy IdeaWorks and University of Southern California showed significant improvement in comprehension while reading at more than three times the average speed on a computer.

Highlights of results

•86% of the subject group showed a significant improvement in comprehension when reading at 300 words per minute using RapidReader over reading print on paper in their normal speed and fashion.

•Those most severely impacted by language difficulties or slow reading speed had the most significant improvement when using RapidReader at self selected speeds.

For More information about this clinical trial please click here

What is Human Cadence Technology?

The first time you use RapidReader you'll notice that the words have a rhythmic quality as they're displayed. This is the core of our patented Human Cadence™ technology. All human language employs cadence to add meaning, emphasis and phrasing to the actual words. The duration of words and the pauses between them become an important component in communication. RapidReader adds to the display of text on a screen this important dimension of comprehension.

In standard Rapid Serial Visual Presentation there is no cadence applied to the display of the text. In effect, the duration of each word and the pause between them is the same. The experience is kind of like a machine gun rat-a-tatting words at you. While this increases speed in the short run, it is visually and mentally tiring and difficult to maintain.

It took SoftOlogy IdeaWorks several years of development and refinement to arrive at a way for the reading material to actually control the cadence of the words you were reading. In other words the text appears on screen in a rhythm consistent with the way someone would speak them. This adds a tremendous amount of informational value so you can comprehend in a natural fashion no matter how fast you're reading.

For more about the importance of rhythm to comprehension please click here

Will I Remember What I Read?

Studies have shown that retention is largely a matter of attention. Actually, once the words are understood, retention is a matter of individual learning style and memory, not the display of text. In other words if you see and recognize the word, it doesn't really matter how it was displayed. However retention will be better if there are fewer distractions while reading. The slower you read, the more likely you are to be diverted during the time between words. How many of us have had to re-read a paragraph because our minds were wandering. This is at least in part because our brains move much faster than our eyes can travel across a page. This means our brains are "waiting" for the next word and that is often the cause of wandering attention. The result is a seeming lack of retention. RapidReader helps retention because the display is dynamic and the words are moving at a speed which holds our attention and focus.

In clinical trials the RapidReader display has significant benefits in comprehension and attention span for those with learning difficulties such as ADD and Dyslexia.

For information about RapidReader for learning disabilities please click here

What is the Average Reading Speed? How Fast Can I Read with RapidReader?

Average reading speed of course depends on the kind of content and the way you're reading it. The averages below are recognized standards for various types of reading.

Average Reading Speed

Average reading speed on paper: 200-230 wpm
Average reading speed on a computer screen: 100 wpm.
Average reading speed on a smartphone screen: 30-40 wpm.

After 3 minute RapidReader tutorial:

Customer average reading speed with RapidReader: 350+ wpm

With RapidReader like most things, the more you use it the easier it will become and the faster you'll be able to read. Most users will select their reading speed and may vary it within a document depending on the difficulty of the material. So for reading what's familiar to you a reading speed may be 700+ words per minute. For challenging material it may drop to 300 words per minute. The thing to keep in mind is that's still 3 times faster than the average on a computer.

What About Eyestrain and Using My Glasses?

RapidReader is ergonomically designed to reduce eyestrain. The font color, the customizable font sizes and position on the screen can all be adjusted to suit your comfort. The "starfield" background is there specifically to break up areas of visual contrast and reduce "after image" or what's called "retinal burn" ( seeing a high contrast image when you close your eyes). If you are like most people, you should experience a substantial reduction in eyestrain when reading in RapidReader versus regular text display.

With regard to using eyeglasses, many customers are able to put their reading glasses aside because of the font size and the "lean-back" reading experience.

For more information about the benefit of RapidReader for vision please click here

 

 

More Troubleshooting Solutions?

For in-depth troubleshooting information please click here