![]() If you purchase the software to install on your computer, you can set up multiple user accounts. I would have given Rosetta Stone 5 out of 5 here but, alas, it does have one major flaw. The controls and preference settings available are identical between the online and installed versions, and the online version saves both your progress and your settings every time you use it. The photos used are all high quality and the interface works exactly the same online as it does with the installed software–the program even calibrates your microphone the same way. Rosetta Stone’s trademark bright yellow screen immediately created a visual “branding” effect–I see that yellow and I immediately know that Rosetta Stone is coming my way. The online Rosetta Stone experience is, if you discount the occasional hang time that I filed under “Availability,” a pleasant one. But finding the file in question was easy–I just clicked the link Rosetta Stone gave me, downloaded the file, and was ready to go. I did have to download a small file to run the speech recognition component of the online program, even though I already had the full version of the same language installed on my computer. Rosetta Stone Online gets 4 out of 5 for availability, and an extra thumbs up on the side for doing a system check every time it loads, with a clear, easy-to-understand display that shows whether your system is ready to run the online program or not. ![]() So the advantage of being able to learn from any computer with an Internet connection and always pick up where you left off is balanced out by the potential failure point of the remote connection. If they go down, your access to Rosetta Stone is down as well. The online system seems reliable–no outages or server down times were reported during the testing period–but because it’s a remote connection, you’re completely at the mercy of your Internet provider. I experienced some limited “hangs” or pauses in the online program that don’t happen with my installed software both online and installed versions were run on the same computer, so I assume that the Internet connection was to blame. The Rosetta Stone software, when installed, usually runs flawlessly if you’re on a compatible computer, but older operating systems or older, slower processors–I’m not sure which–can occasionally cause it to “hang” or freeze and suffer internal errors. So the online version gets 4 out of 5–good–because even though it costs a lot and will not save you money over the installed version if you’re a slow learner, it offers a fast-track option that will save you money if you’re focused and persistent enough to take advantage of it. If you’re planning on studying for at least an hour or more every day, you’ll probably get through at least one or two levels before a six month subscription runs out, and if you’re capable of continuing that level of focus you’ll definitely burn through all three in the space of a year. Whether the online system is a worthwhile investment or not will depend largely on your commitment level and how much time you have to invest. The subscription now auto-renews after the initial period, and you can call at any time to cancel, but it is an additional cost. (Some languages have more levels available check for your favorite on the Rosetta Stone website.) You can buy a subscription to the same lessons online for less–$224 for a year of access to all three levels–but once the subscription period is over you no longer have access to your investment, whereas the installed software is still sitting there ready for review. ![]() ![]() All three levels of Irish, installed, cost $274 when No matter how you slice it, the Rosetta Stone language learning system is pricey. ![]()
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