Review: Kudlian Suite
Grown up software for small people
| Product | Kudlian Suite |
|---|---|
| Company | Kudlian |
| Web | www.kudlian.net |
| Price | £39.99 (PC) £29.99 (Mac) |
| We like | |
| We don't like | |
| Rating | 8/10 |
| Requirements | Windows 98/2000/ME/XP and Apple Mac |
Kudlian Suite is a little different to the other products here. It has recently been launched in to the consumer market having previously been targeted at schools at a rather higher price of nearly £250. It comprises of a selection of programs aimed at all ages between 4 and 10. Not so much games, these are more like simplified versions of "real" software.
For the younger children there is Banner which lets you design and print simple banners including pictures, different fonts and interesting backgrounds. They'll also get something out of Splosh, a painting package. This lets you choose colours, brush sizes and shapes as well as offering freehand working.
Older children can use DataSweet for easily creating colourful graphs and charts. The award winning Pictogram program lets you display simple data such as most popular foods in pictogram format.
At the upper age range there are simple database tools such as ReTreeval and Ask Oscar which let you sort and select data using simple questions like "Does it fly?". Also included is Terry2 a sort of simplified programming system where you control a turtle in order to make him move between different point on coloured backgrounds and maps. Finally, FreeText is a simple word processor with just the most basic of functions to allow children to type letters without being overwhelmed with the complexity of more grown-up programs.
The Kudlian Suite whilst simple to use in most cases, doesn't have the immediate visual impact of the other programs. It looks and behaves like a typical Windows (or Mac) program albeit in simplified form and as such is far more educational than edutainment. The results are neat though and most children should enjoy creating things with it. Younger ones would definitely need an adult to do the "steering" but older ones should be able to get on with things themselves after a quick look at the manuals.
