Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Instant Immersion American Sign Language
This is a very good program. It helps you learn the proper hand formations and gives you a visual example of how to do each sign. It also has a conversations section where you can learn to read the signs. It's almost like having a study buddy. I recommmended it to a friend. I rated it a four because a few words are not in it, but I just looked them up in my sign dictionary.
Rating:  - What???
Ok, I guess my main problem is that I have windows xp and only one of the four programs actually works with windows xp, the others I don't know what's going on with them. The one that does work isn't set up in a learning manner at all. It's more like a dictionary, in fact what I could see from all of them none of them are set up in a learn sign language type way, they're more like here's sign language see what you can remember. I feel like I've wasted time and money on this and it fell short, very short of my expectations which were low to start.
Rating: - 4 differect CD-ROMs, 4 different reviews
I will try to limit my comments to what has not already been said in other reviews.
Possible pertinent info about the computer this review is based upon: Dell Dimension 4550, Pentium 4, 2.0GHz, 32-bit display, Windows XP Home edition.DO restart after EACH CD install even though the instructions do not say so (thank you, Amazon reviewer!). I experienced much better performance after reinstalling everything using that advice. I was also more satisfied when I upgraded my computer. CD-ROM #1 SigningAvatar Friends = 4.5 stars [produced by Vcom3D]
7 different animated characters sign either their biography (option of ESL or ASL) or sign a preset conversation with you (ASL). You can adjust the distance, angle, and speed of the Avatar without loss of smooth quality.
In the Conversation part, you can have the Avatar repeat/sign its own sentence/question or your answers, except for whatever part you have to fill-in.
In the Biography exercise, each Avatar tells you about itself... about 4 paragraphs each. Unfortunately, if you need to repeat a sentence, you have to have the Avatar repeat the whole paragraph instead. Oddly, the ESL version, which is word-for-word (including 'is', 'a', etc), highlights each word as the Avatar signs it, but the ASL version does not even though it is in different word order. A Gloss would have improved this.
I say "true ASL" with some trepidation, though it is definitely not exact English. This CD is especially useful for practicing comprehension at different speeds and viewing angles. CD-ROM #2 SignLink = 4.9 stars [produced by Sorenson Vision]
Part 1: Textbook type information: ASL overview, history, grammar, parameters of signs etc.
Part 2: Lexicon: At first I thought this was just like what I'd seen on websites (i.e. a list of words you click on to see a video clip of the word being signed). But it is more! You can click on "Parameters" to see how the sign is formed: the position, shape, and distance from body of each hand at the beginning and end of the movement. While this part is arranged as text, if you click on a specific parameter, a graphic is shown to explain it further. (Click on palm facing in/back, it shows a body with arrows in direction palm faces)
The glitch in this is that the facial expression parameter says "neutral" on every sign I've looked at though I know otherwise.
You can also search for specific signs using the parameters. For instance, search for signs that start with "L-hand" "palm facing in/back" ending "palm facing forward", etc.
Almost every feature includes great Help information and cross-referencing also. CD-ROM #3 Personal Communicator = 2 stars [produced by Michigan State University CommTechLab]
Part 1 "ASL Dictionary" good ideas but not close to publishing quality. Biggest problem? This "translator" uses ESL (signed exact english) not ASL. Even if ESL is what you're learning, the video quality and speed are poor.
Part 2 "ASL Playroom" a very messy children's room where you click on objects to see the Sign video clip after the object animates (click on the teddy bear: the bear growls and eats a toy in front of him). Funny and cute program for kids, but only 21 words are actually signed out of a ton a objects in the room.
Part 3 "ASL Browser" the same as the one on their website, but no waiting for clip download. The word list looks longer because it includes the plural, -ing, -ed forms of verbs even though the sign is the same for each. Clip speed seems improved, but Sorenson's CD is much better.
CD-ROM #4 HyperSign for Kids = 2 stars [produced by Trinity Software]
Includes a 16-bit version of QuickTime which MUST be used even if you have an updated version. I had severe compatibility issues when installing on my computer. Use the PDF "User Manual". Several games for children that incorporate sound and sign for nonreaders. It supposedly allows access for parents/teachers to change/record their own sounds, replace pictures, and change the word lists, but like I said I had issues with it.
Even so, the interface seems too small and unwieldy for small children. There are several sections to each screen, with none being dominant. Most video clips zip through the sign too fast, slow mode is blurry. Also, there is no incentive to win games. Nothing exciting happens. Not something to expect a kid to have fun doing without a parent beside him/her. OVERALL 4.5 stars because the first 2 CDs are well worth the price of all four.
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