Messages

I think what Chadokoro_K is referring to is the difficulty of reviewing in Stackz.  I feel like Stackz is an excellent tool for cramming large amount of words into my head on a daily basis (10s to 100s of words).  However, for keeping large amounts of words in my brain, I feel like Stackz is at a bit of a disadvantage compared to programs that use spaced repetition.  It would be cool to have a spaced repition mode along with the other modes if it was well implemented.

It definitely does  ;)  http://www.htc.com/product/03-product_x7501.htm (Here's the English version, instead of the Japanese)

I want to buy this just so I can use Stackz with it:
http://www.japan.htc.com/product_x7501.htm

Hi Konstantine,

Thanks for your openness to suggestions!  That is what makes Stackz so great.  I recommend it to everyone!

In addition to the quick edit button and showing all the attributes in edit mode, I'm also hoping you'll address the font issues when it comes to the main display - as you could probably see from my videos, all kanji fonts are not created equal when it comes to small fonts on a pocket PC.  If I can't have a different font for the main display, I don't think I can make use of the new version because I can use the stroke orders font with it (well, at least until I have all the stroke orders mastered).  By the way, was this font on storage actually a feature of the previous version of Pocket Stackz?  When I rolled back because of the font display issue, I left the font in the folder on my storage card and it still was showing up in Pocket Stackz.  If it wasn't already a feature, my Pocket PC must have a mind of its own.

I'm also hoping you will make the text selectable when in test mode - this seems like it would be fairly easy to implement and I can't think of a reason why it would negatively affect users who have no need of copying...

Anyhow, can't want to see the final version of PocketStackz 2007/8 when it is done!

I don't like the new buttons though. The old ones were more self-explanatory, like the arrows for the learn mode and the hand for the finde-select mode. Now they show just "something" colorful.

By the way, I agree about the buttons - the old icons were rather intuitive - what about just sprucing the old ones up a little rather than replacing them?  I've got a high res screen, but I'm still not sure what those icons are...  The old ones were better IMHO.

Just downloaded and tried the new beta.  The erase/undo buttons are now sizing correctly (they are large, compared with them being very minute on the last version) on my x50v.  I like that I can hide the navigation buttons.  Excellent modification!

Pending issues:

1) I'm still having issues with the font on storage - there needs to be an option to set the program font used for things like lesson titles (vs. card attribute fonts) so that I can use different fonts and still navigate the program (try installing and using the font I linked to in my previous post and you'll see what I mean - the font is magnificent for learning or confirming stroke order but terrible at small sizes).

See video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReHj1oZj1qc (for item 1 and the dialog bug mentioned below)

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2) Quick edit button - Would like to see a quick edit button, as there is in the desktop version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkisS4yGU0Y (video pertains to #2 and #3)

3) Show all attributes in edit mode - Would like ALL fields to be shown when editing a card like the desktop version.  For example, selecting "kanji meaning skill" shows the kanji and translation fields.  If I need to make a note in the comment field in this mode and try to "edit card" then only those fields are available.  I must first switch into a mode that shows all fields, then edit the card.  And then to get back to my "kanji meaning" drill, I have to switch back once more.  Rather tedious - in the desktop version all fields are visible regardless of the current testing modes. (see video above)

4) Selectable Text in various learn modes - during testing of stacks, would like the text to be selectable so that copying and pasting is possible, the same as is possible in the desktop version.

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Bug - still various dialogs are not appearing until the program loses and regains focus, as mentioned in the above.  This bug has been a problem on both of my Dell Axim x50v handhelds, with both Japanese and English OSs.

See video above under item #1

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Looking forward to improvements!

Thanks - I've been looking forward to try this out.  My initial thoughts:
The changes are very welcome.  I never noticed the "fine select" feature before, but I'm sure I'll use it now.

1) New Font on Storage
Great function!  I was already getting this function with a program called "FontOnStorage" but I like the idea of this being included with stackz.  I use a font that has all the kanji with stroke orders embedded in the font (http://www.users.waitrose.com/~potato/index.html - free, one of my best finds in a long time).  The problem is, with the new version the font is being used for the titles above the lessons; in the old version, the font was not affecting the lesson titles.  Now I can't use my font!!  The lesson names become unreadable.  Because of this, I had to roll back to the prior version.

2) Feature Requests

* I haven't decided if I like the buttons on the writing pad yet.  I use the buttons on my pocket pc, so having them there just takes up space for me.  Could you include an option to only show the clear/undo buttons?

* I would like to see a quick edit button like Stackz desktop has in testing/learning modes - I like to add example sentences as I go (I know, it is only a pen tap/click away to the "edit card" menu, but it would be convenient to have something more easily accessible - new button down at the bottom?).

* Edit mode - show all entries.  As the program works now, only the currently displayed entries are available.  It is tedious to add comments to entries when I am testing kanji, for example.  I have to switch out of kanji writing skill mode, into standard test mode, add my comment, then switch back to kanji writing skill mode.  It would be nice if instead all of the fields were displayed upon entering edit mode.

* Optional integration with kanjidic?  I'm always wanting to look up the meanings of kanji using kanjidic - I currently do this by changing to edit mode, copying the kanji, pasting in EBPocket EPWING dictionary software, and then searching.  If only it was bundled.

* Selectable text in the test/learn modes.  Since I copy and paste to other programs, it would be handy to have the text selectable so that I can copy and paste it without having to switch to edit mode.

Other:
*Bug: I'm using a Dell Axim x50v.  When I select Tools>Options>Entries, nothing happens.  That is, until I click the start menu and Stackz briefly loses and regains focus.  Then the pop-up displays.  Then if I click "change..." nothing happens, until I click the start menu.  I confirmed this in both 2006 and 2007 versions.

*Bug: I cannot scroll down far enough to completely reveal the last item in the Stackz file dialog when there are enough files to require scrolling.  The last file item gets cut 1/2 off so that I can only see the top 1/2 of the file name.  It is still selectable and openable, but a little odd with 1/2 of it below the bottom edge.

Thanks for reading!

I've been referring lots of friends to check out Stackz, as it is my 'fav!  BUT, your website has been offline an awfuly lot lately  ???  Not sure if you are aware if this, but quite often Stackz.com is just unreachable.  This was never an issue in the past, but has been happening over the past month ar so.

New Internet Explorer Japanese Dictionary Plugin:

It works like Rikaichan in that you hover over a word and the definitions and readings are displayed.? Plus there are example sentences.? Plus with a simple click you can add the word to a vocabulary list for later study in the best flashcard program around for EFFICIENT study.? Plus, there are already tons of ready-made lists available that other people have created available to download.

There are currently two Japanese browser dictionary plugins that I am aware of: jBrowse for IE and Rikaichan for Firefox.? I use Stackz/Kanjibrowse for looking up words as I browse Japanese websites, plus I often import the word that I just looked up into my flashcard file for later efficient study.

Now, a great idea that would be to create a plugin like that mentioned above, with the potential to reach out to many people.? How? Make an IE and Firefox plugin based on Kanjibrowse that is freeware like rikaichan.? Rikaichan really dose this better than jBrowse, so I think they would be the ones to improve upon.? I'm picturing it working like Rikaichan in that when a Japanese word is moused over, a little popup appears with the reading in katakana or hiragana and definition (and perhaps example sentences in the future).? The Stackz concept enters because the popup has a little link down in the bottom: "Add word for learning."? Clicking this link would automatically add the word to their current lesson in Stackz. In the unregistered version, the user can be told that this is a feature for Stackz users with a link to the website for more information.

Anyhow, just a thought.? I guess I love your programs so much that I want other people to know about it because I think they'll find them invaluable for learning Japanese.

I would love to see kanjibrowze branch out and support other dictionary formats, especially EPWING, which offers a variety of dictionaries, including EIJIRO.

I wish there were a way to directly open kanjibrowze from a shortcut with the "paste from clipboard" option enabled.  As it is, I have to open Stackz, then open the dictionary, then click on the paste from clipboard button.  I love the integration of Stackz and Kanjibrowze since whenever I lookup a word I can easily add it to a Stackz file for later study, and from the clipboard is awesome since no matter where I come across an unkown word I can easily look it up.  I'd just like to be able to do it more easily since I find myself using Stackz in this way so often  :)

Just another thought regarding example sentences.  I'm sure Stackz users sometimes have to create their own example sentences.  I wonder if there could be an automatic way to submit to Jim Breene (normal page is via http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-local/breen/wwwjdic?1Y) example words that don't yet have example sentences.  This might be an easy way for Stackz users to give back a bit to a project that has benefited them so much.

I've started using stackz for non-Japanese things.  I tried Supermemo for a while, but it is too complex without being smoothly implemented for my tastes.  Although, as a strength, Supermemo can handle images, sounds, etc.  If Stackz could also handle images (sounds are used much less frequently), it might make it more attractive for general learning, too.  But that also gets much more complicated for use on a mobile device.  Supermemo mobile versions don't handle images, so you can't use them on the go.  I see Stackz as the best out there at what it does, which is quiz users on text.  Plus it handles Japanese the best of any flashcard program.

Never.  A better question is: how often do you use paper?  Rarely.  I've moved to Tablet PC, which is great since it has built in Japanese hand writting recognition, unlimited supply of spare paper, an especially intuitive interface for flashcard programs.

The ABSOLUTE BEST Japanese IME for mobile devices is a little known program called Decuma Japanese.  With Decuma, you just copy down what you see (correct stroke order helps but isn't required) and it turns it into Japanese for you.  It is very fast, very accurate, and you can use it on non-Japanese PPCs (Palm version also available).

It is much better than the built-in IMEs, even better than that of a native Japanese PPC, IMHO.  The one problem is that getting the Japanese version is a little difficult - I had to have the help of a Japanese friend to purchase it since its only through an all Japanese site - and navigating the order system was impossible for me.  But here are the links:

general info:

http://www.zicorp.com/DecumaJapanese.htm

trial version/ordering:

http://www.zicorp.com/eProducts/Decuma/?page=decumaJapanese

A program that I've had god luck with as a dictionary on the PPC is by Ectaco.  It isn't too big and it runs pretty quick.  It does not have all the words that Jim Breem's dictionary and others, but it has most everything I look up.  It comes with an IME so that you can use Japanese input (multiple input options, like kana or romaji conversion).  This is the IME that I use when I want a keyboard for input rather than Decuma's handwriting recognition.