Software

Speed reading computer application programs are available. Vortex Speed Reading was the original; however Vallier, the creator of the program, did not update it and it would not work in Windows XP.

Since Vortex Speed Reading dropped out of line, replacement programs are available on the Internet.

Speed reading programs use a different approach to the usual 'speed reading' tips where a few words are grouped together to be read. The software presents words to the reader one at a time in the same position, stopping the eyes from having to move around as they would on a normal paragraph.

The programs present the data as a serial stream as the only way the brain handles text is breaking it up into a serial stream before parsing and interpreting it. Speed reading programs pre-processes and serializes text, so the brain does not need to do so.

Usually, commas and semi-colons have a single break and periods, question marks, exclamation marks, and speech marks have a double break.

One speed reading program by the name of EyeQ also includes watching the center of the screen while watching the lines around it expand, watching a bunch of objects move by in a line instead of texts and watching an object bounce around up and down, left and right and require the user to focus their eyes on the object while it moves.

The method of using objects are criticized by some stating that the only way to read faster is to read actual texts. These people may range from people being satisfied with their ability to skim fast to people who have tried speed reading programs that emphasize solely on texts. It is important to note that since speed reading is at best a pseudo science at this point that the pro or anti opinions of these people must be handled with skepticism until further credible tests have been done.

It is also crucial for any user hoping to buy these programs to be extremely skeptical even at the face of positive reviews. Some signs to look for are claims of completely eliminating sub vocalization. and high word per minute results ranging into the 3000 wpm above from just using the software.

Speed reading results have varied from people to people and speed reading software's are no exception.