Tutorial 2: Working with Stackz Files

Tutorial 2: Working with Stackz Files

Use a predefined file to get a feeling about what you can do with Stackz.

  • Lauch Stackz 
  • Open a Stackz File

    Stackz automatically opens the last open file on startup. You can open an existing file from your disk with the menu command <File | Open...>, or directly from the online archive with <Wordlists | Online wordlist archive...>.

  • Check if you know the file content (using Test Tool)

    Click on the "StackZ!" button of the document and select <Test entire file> from its menu.

    This opens the Test Dialog, showing only the first attribute of the first card.
    Use the round green button to display more attributes of the card.

    When all attributes are visible, click the 'arrow right' button to declare the card as known. Observe how the card is promoted to the stack to the right and updates its color to represent "one successful test, done today" with the currently used ColorMode.

    After moving the card, the first attribute of the next card is automatically displayed. Proceed as before, but this time click the 'arrow left' button to declare the card as unknown. Observe how the card is demoted and updates its color if necessary.

    Continue the test procedure with the remaining cards, this time using the keyboard as follows:
    ● SPACE: next attribute
    ● ARROW LEFT: declare as unknown
    ● ARROW RIGHT: declare as known
    ● ARROW UP: put card back on the same stack

    When all entries are tested, the Test Dialog is automatically closed.

  • Edit a stack

    Open the edit dialog by clicking with the right mouse buton on a stack and select 'Edit' in the appearing menu.
    Select an attribute and press F2 to activate the in-place edit mode, then modify the text.
    Note how the Windows keyboard automatically changes to the keyboard assigned to the attribute's language in the Stackz options.

    Close the edit dialog.

  • Learn the unknown words (using Learn Tool)

    Selecting 'Learn entire file' from the StackZ! menu opens the Learn Dialog with one entry in the local learn stack, and the first attribute shown. Use the round green button to unhide the remaining attributes of this entry.

    When you feel comfortable with this word, add another one to the local stack by clicking the arrow down button. Now there are two entries in the Learn Dialog. Use the green button to iterate through the attributes of both cards. Continue adding words and iterate through all attributes until you have five words in the local learn stack.

    The next time when you know a presented word, use the 'arrow up' button. This puts the card back on its original stack without any modification, and replaces it in the local learn stack with a new one. Continue to iterate through the attributes of all cards.

  • Try out different ColorModes

    There are five color modes, all of which can be set with the menu. Try them out after having made the modifications to the file.

    Note how the meaning of the color-band on top changes:
    ● RepeatAdvisor: the color shows the time until the next best repetition.
    ● RefreshDate: the color shows the date of the last positive declaration.
    ● SuccessRatio: the color shows the percentage of successful test attempts.
    ● FailureCount: the color shows the number of unsuccessful test attempts.
    ● SuccessCount: the color shows the number of successful test attempts.

  • Check out the Skill seletion

    Using the mouse, select a few stacks and open the Test Dialog on the selected stacks. In the Test Dialog, try different skill settings and observe how the presented data fields are different for each skill.