However, the success of the recently released Max's Sandbox serves only to reiterate the importance of simplicity in design. Created to provide an intuitive introduction to the Microsoft Office suite, Max's sandbox is already proving a hit with adults.
Max's Sandbox was designed as an early childhood interface for the Microsoft Office software suite. The software was jointly developed by South Australian company, eWord Development, and the South Australian Department of Education, Training and Employment, which has already begun rolling out the software in its state's primary schools.
"We created it with children in mind, but every time I show it to a school they want to implement it in the administration office, as well as in the class room," explained Di Thompson director of eWord Development.
Max's Sandbox includes MaxWrite for Microsoft Word, MaxShow for Microsoft PowerPoint, and MaxCount for Microsoft Excel, and according to eWord representatives, it supports Microsoft Word 97, Microsoft Office 2000 and Office XP.
"We created child-friendly versions of existing features and added new features such as children's templates, sound recording and a talking bird to allow non-reading children to create great-looking, exciting projects," eWord Chief Executive Officer Wendy Bromwich said.
According to eWord, Max's Sandbox is also the first non-Microsoft product developed for the XP platform, and has already been recognised by the organisers of the coming World Congress on IT and IT Business Forum . At the forum the product will be on display alongside other innovative Australian IT products and services.
Bromwich is also embarking on an international trip, in order to touch base with Microsoft in the company's Seattle Headquarters. The visit will be a stopover on the road to England's largest technology in education exhibition and conference, BETT, held next January, where she has been invited to showcase Max's Sandbox.
