DAVIDSON & ASSOCIATES, INC. AND SIMON & SCHUSTER, INC. SHIP TYPING TUTOR 7,
AN ENTERTAINING WAY TO IMPROVE TYPING SPEED AND ACCURACY

TORRANCE, CALIF., MAY 15, 1996 -- In today's world of computers, knowing
how to type is essential for anyone who wants to be more productive. To
make learning and improving that skill easy and fun, Davidson &
Associates, Inc. (Nasdaq: DAVD) and Simon & Schuster, Inc. (NYSE: VIA)
today began shipping Typing Tutor 7, CD-ROM software that combines
multimedia elements such as video clips, animation and sound effects with
personalized typing lessons.

"Most people -- whether they're beginners, those that 'hunt- and-peck' or
even touch typists -- want to improve their productivity and typing
accuracy," said Jan Davidson, president and founder of Davidson &
Associates, Inc. "Moving that goal to the top of the 'to do' list is so
much easier with Typing Tutor 7. This software leverages the power of
interactive multimedia -- using elements such as addictive games, popular
book excerpts and video clips, including many comedy routines from a
professional comedy writer -- to maximize the skill building in a fun and
entertaining environment."

Added Peter Yunich, president of Simon & Schuster Interactive, "Typing
Tutor 7 builds on the success of the award-winning Typing Tutor series.
This new version adds tremendous entertainment value, lively new games,
and a new interface. In addition, it offers users the appeal of a wide
variety of well-known books, including many from Simon & Schuster's rich
library of popular and classic novels."

The Windows 95/Windows 3.1/Macintosh CD-ROM software is immediately
available at most major computer, software, and mass-merchant chains
nationwide; it is expected to be priced at approximately $30.

FEATURES THAT MAKE LEARNING TO TYPE FUN

To make improving typing skills easy and fun, Typing Tutor 7 offers these
unique features and benefits:

 A high level of customization, thanks to the sophisticated Natural
 Language

 Generator and the Timed Response Monitoring System

 Exciting games that make it truly fun to practice typing and build
 skills

 A straightforward, easily navigable interface that makes Typing
 Tutor 7 easy to use

 A "tutor" that always provides specific suggestions for
 next steps, along with "go" buttons to take the user
 directly to those activities

 Entertaining video clips with accompanying typing passages such
 as travel notes on exotic places, comedy routine excerpts, and
 biographies on sports figures such as Babe Ruth

 Passages from well-known novels, classics and biographies to add
 variety to lessons

COMBINING PERSONALIZED LESSONS WITH MULTIMEDIA

Typing Tutor 7 addresses the needs of users ranging from beginners and
those that "hunt-and-peck," to touch typists and advanced users. When
first entering the program, users select their level and take a typing
test; Typing Tutor 7 automatically develops the lessons, speed levels and
goals to match that skill level. As a user's typing improves, these
settings continually adjust, thereby presenting new challenges and goals.

There are four parts to Typing Tutor 7:

LESSONS AND TESTS

This section introduces all the keys and teaches proper hand placement
relative to those keys. This covers everything from the "home row," to the
more difficult number and punctuation keys, as well as the numeric
keypad.

An important feature in this section is the Natural Language Generator,
which creates lessons using actual words, phrases and sentences that
contain the keys the user needs to practice. In addition, a Time Response
Monitoring system notes the time it takes to type each letter, then uses
this information to create each lesson. This combination means that Typing
Tutor 7 is highly customized to a user's specific level of typing
proficiency.

SHOWTIME

One hundred video clips in a variety of categories -- comedy, travel,
sports, newsreels and more -- provide an entertaining way to practice
typing skills and learn along the way. Users select a video of interest
and type the passage related to these 10- to 20-second clips.

For example, users can enjoy hilarious comedy routines (written by a
professional who has written material for Jerry Seinfeld and Ellen
DeGeneres, as well as for the TV sitcom The Nanny and other well-known
comedy shows), learn about historical events or expand their knowledge of
trivia.

BOOKSHELF

Users select excerpts from over 100 favorite novels, classics, biographies,
reference works and more for their typing practice. Examples include
Shaquille O'Neal's biography; Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; several novels
from Mary Higgins Clark; Terry McMillan's Waiting to Exhale; books on
hobbies such as cooking, pets and sports; and Richard Reeves' President
Kennedy - Profile of Power. Users can type from on-screen passages, or
hear selected excerpts read aloud.

VIDEO TYPING GAMES

Three exciting games -- Whack 'Em, Letter Invaders" and Word Search -- make
it really fun to practice typing:

- Whack 'Em is a variation of that delightful arcade game where moles
randomly rise out of manhole covers. The objective is to type the
accompanying words before the character disappears. By typing quickly and
accurately, users watch their scores increase as the creatures are
comically "whacked."

- In Letter Invaders, letters and words fall from the top of the screen.
The challenge for the user is to type those letters or words fast enough
to prevent them from reaching the ground, where, if unchecked, they will
destroy a city. Continually changing backgrounds and cityscapes, along
with an accelerating pace, make this game challenging and visually
exciting.

- Word Search is a multimedia version of "hidden words." Ten grids contain
words in themes ranging from musical instruments and animals to sports and
foods & cooking. Users attempt to find as many words as possible in this
timed game, competing at three levels of difficulty.

PRICE, AVAILABILITY, SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

The Windows 95/Windows 3.1/Macintosh CD-ROM software is immediately
available at most major computer, software, and mass-merchant chains
nationwide; it is expected to be priced at approximately $30. Customers
can call (800) 457-8357 for sales and ordering information. Typing Tutor 7
includes toll-free technical support, available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pacific Time every business day.

System requirements for Typing Tutor 7 are:

Windows 95 and Windows 3.1

A 33 MHz 486 or faster personal computer; 256-color CD-ROM SVGA graphics;
Windows 3.1 or higher, or Windows 95; 8 MB of RAM; a Windows-compatible
sound card; a double-speed CD-ROM drive or faster; and a hard drive with 1
MB of free space.

Macintosh CD-ROM

A Macintosh 68040 series or Power Macintosh (optimized for the Power Mac);
System 7.0 or higher; 256 colors; 8 MB of RAM; a double-speed CD-ROM
drive; and a hard drive with 1 MB of free space.

Davidson & Associates, Inc. is a leading publisher and distributor of
multimedia educational and entertainment software for both the home and
school markets. The company is internationally renowned for its
award-winning Blaster series, which has sold over 4 million copies; other
best-selling education and entertainment titles; and multimedia software
and technology from divisions including Blizzard Entertainment, Maverick
Software, FUNNYBONE Interactive, First Byte and Learningways. Based in
Torrance, Calif., Davidson & Associates was founded in 1982 by educator
Dr. Jan Davidson.

Simon & Schuster Interactive is the consumer software publishing unit of
the Simon & Schuster Consumer Group. The division enters its second year
with 22 CD-ROMs in the market. Simon & Schuster is the world's largest
educational, computer book and English language book publisher, with
imprints including Simon & Schuster, Macmillan Publishing USA, Simon &
Schuster Interactive, The Free Press, Prentice Hall, Silver Burdett Ginn,
Allyn and Bacon, Computer Curriculum Corporation and Educational
Management Group. Simon & Schuster is the publishing operation of Viacom,
Inc., one of the world's largest entertainment and publishing companies
and a leading force in nearly every segment of the international media
marketplace.
 
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