
                  SUPER-MEMO WORLD'S PRODUCTS

                        (June 12, 1993)


SUPER-MEMO 2 PUBLIC DOMAIN

  The first computer implementation of the SuperMemo method was developed
  in 1987 by the author of the method, Polish biologist, Piotr Wozniak.
  This program, SuperMemo 1.0, was written for the then very popular
  Pascal compiler, Turbo Pascal 3.0 by Borland.
  SuperMemo 1.0 was gradually improved by the author in the course of an
  experimental learning process.
  In summer 1988, the whole source code was shortened, optimized, simplified,
  documented and amended for the needs of the new release of the Turbo Pascal
  compiler, version 4.0.
  This is how SuperMemo 2.0 started.
  Though as early as in September 1988, the next version of SuperMemo was
  available, with the new user's interface that was only slightly modified
  over the following four years, the version 2.0 has not died completely.
  In June 1991, shortly before the official formation of SuperMemo World,
  SuperMemo 2 was adapted for shareware, and later, public domain
  distribution with the purpose of making it more popular among the
  enthusiasts of speed-learning all over the world.
  SuperMemo 2 Public Domain is available from shareware houses and BBS
  services throughout the world.

SUPER-MEMO 5 SHAREWARE

  SuperMemo 5 was the greatest breakthrough in the development of the
  SuperMemo method since the first computer implementation in 1987.
  Developed in 1989, SuperMemo 5 applied a revolutionary approach to
  modifying the function of optimal intervals by means of the so-called
  matrix of optimal factors.
  The algorithm used in SuperMemo 5 makes it possible to quickly adapt
  the spacing of repetitions to the needs of a particular learner and
  a particular sort of knowledge.
  In 1991, upon the release of SuperMemo 6, SuperMemo 5 lost its
  attractiveness because of its multiple limitations, and in February
  1993, was adapted for shareware distribution.

SUPER-MEMO 6 PROFESSIONAL

  SuperMemo 6 is a result of 5 years of constant improvements to SuperMemo
  software and the optimization technique used in scheduling repetitions.
  Opinions of the users have constantly been collected, and the most
  frequently reported proposition were introduced to the program, its help,
  manuals, accompanying tools and information files.
  SuperMemo 6 makes it possible to learn as fast as the natural memory
  mechanisms allow. It can successfully be applied in a wide range of
  subjects were the knowledge can be represented in the text form as
  questions and answers.
  In comparison to SuperMemo 5, SuperMemo 6 provides the following
  advantages: (1) faster learning, (2) higher knowledge retention, (3)
  programmable speed of learning, (4) access to the SuperMemo World's
  Database Bank, (5) 36 new options and parameters, (6) increased fault
  tolerance, (7) increased user friendliness, and many more.
  SUPER-MEMO 6 WAS CHOSEN A FINALIST OF THE SOFTWARE FOR EUROPE 1992
  AWARD COMPETITION, and was granted a free display at CeBIT'92
  computer technology exhibition in Hannover.


SUPER-MEMO 7 FOR WINDOWS

The work on SuperMemo 7 for Windows started February 1992, the beta
version was released in October 1992, and the first promotional
release took place in January 1993 (Computer Expo, Warsaw).
SuperMemo 7 AudioVisual was released in June 1993.
The major new advantages of SuperMemo 7 come from introducing audiovisual
items (pictorial and phonetic representation of knowledge) as well as
from standard features brought forth by the Windows environment:
  - multitasking
  - overlapping, draggable and resizable windows
  - mouse support
  - standard CUA interface, etc.
New database file managing options were added (Delete Database, Rename
Database, Cut Drills - removing items scheduled for Final Drill).
Several database browsing and Append windows can be used at the same time;
plus independent Learn and Search windows with all operations of the
browsing mode at hand.
Blocks of text may be transferred via clipboard between all sorts of
item windows in the browsing and appending modes.
Several program instances can be used to work with different databases
at the same time.
Adding the Advanced English database and SuperMemo Toolkit to every
package of SuperMemo 7.
All users of SuperMemo 6 can purchase SuperMemo 7 for Windows at a
50% upgrade discount.

SUPER-MEMO TOOLKIT

A wide range of professional and semi-professional tools have been
developed for the purpose of assisting users of SuperMemo 6 and 7
in development of professional SuperMemo databases.
These are:
    RECOV6.EXE - used to recover from database damage resulting from the
      action of viruses, hardware failures, errors on the part of the user,
      etc. RECOV6.EXE is available in each SuperMemo 6 software package.
      (RECOV6.EXE is analogous to RECOV5.EXE from SuperMemo 5 and
      RESCUE.EXE from SuperMemo 7 for Windows)
    RESET6.EXE - used to convert SuperMemo database to intact form. In the
      intact form, databases look in the same was as directly after their
      development, before any learning process started.
      For example, Memorized=0, Burden=0, Workload=0, etc.
      RESET6.EXE is available in each SuperMemo 6 software package.
      (RESET6.EXE is analogous to TRANSF5.EXE from SuperMemo 5 and
      RESET.EXE from SuperMemo 7 for Windows).
    TRANSFER.EXE - used to transfer items between two SuperMemo databases.
      The transferred items retain their learning parameters, including
      the date of the next repetition. They can also be reset to
      intact form.
      The program may be used to merge or split databases.
    TO_TEXT.EXE - used to convert SuperMemo databases to a text form, and
      to compute ordinal numbers that can be used in database sorting.
      The ordinal numbers are established on the basis of the learning
      process, and are supposed to reflect the difficulty of particular
      items. By means of the SM_SORT, a database may be sorted with respect
      to ordinal numbers, and consequently, provide easy items at the
      beginning, and difficult items at the end of database files.
      (exemplary databases sorted with respect to ordinals established by
      TO_TEXT: Advanced English, English Vocabulary, Human Biology).
    TO_SORT.EXE - used to convert SuperMemo database text files (extension
      TXT) to sortable files (extension STB).
    SM_SORT.EXE - used to sort STB files with respect to ordinal numbers
      established by (1) TO_TEXT or (2) manually by the developer of the
      database.
      The sorted files have the extension SRT.
    TO_SM.EXE - used to convert sortable STB files, or sorted SRT files
      back to SuperMemo format (extension ITM)
    CROSS.EXE - used to compute a statistical cross-section through a number
      of databases. Such parameters are computed as the total number of items,
      total number of outstanding items, average burden, average knowledge
      retention, and many more.
    UP_2_5.EXE - used to convert SuperMemo 2 database format to the format
      acceptable by SuperMemo 5
    UP_5_6.EXE - used to convert SuperMemo 5 database format to the format
      acceptable by SuperMemo 6
    REPSTR.EXE - used to replace fonts and substrings in SuperMemo
      databases
    FONTDES.EXE - used to design fonts in databases compatible with
      SuperMemo 6.6 and 6.7
    All programs of SuperMemo 6 Toolkit are included in the SuperMemo 7
    for Windows software package (except for UP_2_5, UP_5_6 and FONTDES).


SUPER-MEMO TOUCH-TYPING TUTOR

   This program is a rough adaptation of SuperMemo for performing simple
   touch-typing drills.
   The software shell, user interface, and the database inferface are
   taken literally from SuperMemo 5.
   The following options of SuperMemo 5 have been adapted for the purpose
   of touch-typing:
      Append (Expand) - in this option, the user selects a short text
        file which is supposed to be mastered with respect to touch
        typing skills. The program displays the text and requests the
        learner to type it in. During the typing test, the words and
        phrases that cause most problems are detected. After the test,
        all the problematic words are listed, and the learner may
        accept or reject them as SuperMemo items appended to the
        database.
        In other words, Append (Expand) allows to add new words and
        phrases to the database, with priority given to those which
        cause problems in typing.
      Test (Learn) - in this option, the user has to type in a given
        item (word or phrase) as long as it takes to reach a certain
        required level of speed determined on the basis of previous,
        average performance. The program automatically generates the
        repetitions grade (like in other SuperMemo implementations),
        and the next repetition is scheduled accordingly.
   It is important that the trainer must not be confused with the
   tutor, i.e. the program doesn't teach how to touch type. Only the
   learner with the basic knowledge of touch-typing is suitable.
   The touch typing trainer provides only the means of locating and
   practising words and phrases that are most problematic for the
   learner.

PROGRAMMABLE SUPER-MEMO

  In programmable SuperMemo, the learner or the database developer will
  have the possibility of designing the exact course of repetitions by
  means of programming tools that produce standard DLL files.
  Such repetition procedures will then dynamically be linked with the
  database and executed each time the repetition of a given item/skill
  is scheduled.
  Programmable SuperMemo will have its applications in two domains that
  are not sufficiently supported by the present representation of
  knowledge:
    1. Problem solving (e.g. a repetition procedure could guide the
       learner through the algorithm of dividing vulgar fractions by
       generating random parameters, providing memo pads and
       operational cues throughout the repetition)
    2. Stochastic learning, i.e. learning motor skills (e.g. a repetition
       procedure might supervise typing drills like those in the
       touch-typing tutor described above)


"OPTIMIZATION OF LEARNING"

  "Optimization of learning. A new approach and computer application"
  was written in 1990 by the author of SuperMemo, Piotr Wozniak.
  This 200-page, English language, dissertation makes up the first written
  record of research leading to the development of the SuperMemo method, as
  well as the detailed description of all the relevant theoretical aspects
  of learning.
  The topics covered:
    - General principles of the SuperMemo method
    - Formulation and development of the SuperMemo method
    - Generic features of SuperMemo software
    - Simulation of a long-term SuperMemo learning process
    - Strategic aspects of a successful application of the SuperMemo
      method
    - Paper-and-pencil application of the SuperMemo method
    - SuperMemo method in the eyes of its users; a questionnaire
    - Application of the SuperMemo method in stochastic learning
    - Physiology and biochemistry of memory in the light of the SuperMemo
      method
    - Model of intermittent learning
    - Application of SuperMemo in modern education
    - Glossary, Abstract, Summary, and References


"HOW TO USE SUPER-MEMO WITHOUT A COMPUTER"

   This 10-page long, English language, brochure by the author of the method,
   Piotr Wozniak, describes shortly how it is possible to employ SuperMemo
   in learning without a computer.
   The paper-and-pencil variant, though not as effective as software
   applications, may have a revolutionary influence on the individual's
   capability to learn new material.
   It is worth noticing, that the first 3 years of research on the
   effectiveness of SuperMemo were devoted exclusively to the paper-based
   application (1985-1987). The computer implementations followed later.


"DEVELOPMENT OF SUPER-MEMO ALGORITHMS"

   This paper by Piotr Wozniak and Krzysztof Biedalak from SuperMemo
   World was presented at the Summer Academy of Computer Science
   organized by Polish Computer Science Society at Szczyrk, Poland, 1992.
   The paper was published in excerpts in a Polish computer science
   journal, Informatyka (Vol. 10, 1992).
   The paper, in a historical perspective, outlines the subsequent
   algorithms developed in the years 1985-1991, and used in scheduling
   repetitions in SuperMemo.
   Some of the algorithmic details, however, were not disclosed because
   of the ongoing efforts to obtain patent protection of SuperMemo World's
   intellectual property.


SUPER-MEMO DATABASES

   See DBANK.TXT on the distribution disk for the most recent listing
   of databases available from the SuperMemo World's Database Bank.

==========================================================================

       SUPER-MEMO WORLD
       P.O. Box 1
       Poznan 48
       POLAND
       Tel/Fax (48) 61 203157
       e-mail: JAM@BRAHMS.UDEL.EDU
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