
        COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CONCERNING SUPER-MEMO
                        (Oct 24, 1994)

Q: Can a computer-illiterate person use SuperMemo?
A: Yes. The entire knowledge needed to start is encompassed in the
   2-page-long Minimum User's Guide which is present on the distribution
   disks MINGUIDE.TXT. 5 simple operations needed to use SuperMemo can
   be learned in less than 10 minutes!
   No specialized knowledge is required.

Q: Can I write my own SuperMemo databases concerning topics of my
   interest?
A: Yes.

Q: Can I get a copy of SuperMemo in return for a good database?
A: Yes. You can develop the database in a word processor, using SuperMemo
   shareware, or using a demonstration copy of SuperMemo.

Q: If I prepare a database for SuperMemo, can I sell it to
   SuperMemo World?
A: Yes. Particularly, if it is a good database, on a popular topic,
   and preferably written in English. Otherwise, your database may
   be included in the Database Bank, and you will be paid royalties
   from each copy sold.

Q: Can I use SuperMemo with emulated DOS on Atari ST, Amiga or Mac?
A: SuperMemo 5 can run on Amiga (PC-Cross). SuperMemo 6 can run on Atari
   ST (PC Ditto 3.64) and Mac (Soft PC). In all cases, the program is
   greatly slowed down.

Q: Can I buy SuperMemo COD?
A: Only in Poland, yes.

Q: After buying SuperMemo, what sort of discounts in buying upgrades
   can I expect?
A: SuperMemo World's policy is to provide as large upgrade discounts as
   it is only economically viable. Usually, the upgrade costs only a
   little more than the price difference between particular software
   versions.

Q: If I don't have a computer, can I use SuperMemo?
A: Yes. A limited, paper-and-pencil variant of SuperMemo exists, and
   is shortly described in the pamphlet distributed by SuperMemo World.
   Look for files SMPAP.TXT (short ASCII description of the method) and 
   SMPAP.DOC (comprehensive description, Word 2.0 for Windows format)

Q: Can I use SuperMemo in a computer lab?
A: Yes, on condition that the access to computers in the laboratory is
   regular. Once you start working with SuperMemo, you must continue
   the process of repetitions. Otherwise, the acquired knowledge will
   gradually be forgotten (e.g. if you stop after having used SuperMemo
   for 5 years, you will forget 60% of the learned information in the
   first year!).

Q: What are the basic differences between SuperMemo 2, 5, 6 and 7?
A: The full record of upgrades introduced to SuperMemo is listed in the
   DEVELOP.TXT file on the distribution disks.
   In short, all SuperMemos allow the learner to substantially increase
   the speed of learning. Figuratively, if traditional methods of learning
   are viewed as a pedestrian, SuperMemo 2 may be compared to a bicycle,
   SuperMemo 5 to a Trabant, and SuperMemo 6 to a Mercedes and SuperMemo
   7 to a Rolls-Royce.
   Each version produces additional increase in the speed of learning,
   as well as improvements in the user's interface, database management,
   fault tolerance, statistical analysis options, menu-tree, sound,
   graphics, keyboard shortcuts, parameter set, help, etc. Moreover, in 
   SuperMemo 6/7, the speed of learning may be regulated by the learner 
   (in a trade-off with  knowledge retention).
   SuperMemos 2, 5 and 6 where written for DOS, while SuperMemo 7 is a
   Windows application.

Q: What is the size of SuperMemo 2, 5, 6 and 7 in KB?
A: The sizes are as follows:
       SM2   77 KB +  48 KB of help
       SM5  108 KB +  71 KB of help
       SM6  156 KB + 154 KB of help
       SM7  560 KB + 200 KB of help + 150 KB of DLL
   Note, that the size of the program cannot be used as a measure
   of its quality. For example, the source code of SM6 is about
   8 times longer than that of SM2, and it was written with the
   view to maximum compactness in order to make SM6 available to
   users with minimum configuration PCs. 

Q: What is the size of SuperMemo together with a database?
A: The size of SuperMemo 6 with the Basic English database (3,000 items)
   is: SM6.EXE 156 KB + database files 194 KB = 350 KB.
   The usual size of databases is no more than (5 + 0.1*no_items) KB.
   The size of SuperMemo 7 with the Advanced English database
   (38,000 items) is:
   SM7.EXE 500 KB + DLLs 150 KB + database files 2,700 KB = 3,350 MB
   Advanced English Audio on CD-ROM takes 595 MB.

Q: What databases for SuperMemo shareware can I get from SuperMemo World?
A: SuperMemo World does not collect databases for SM2 and SM5. Contact
   shareware houses.

Q: What databases are there in the SuperMemo World's Database Bank?
A: See DBANK.TXT for the most recent listing of databases available.

Q: If I have an item in my database, and I want to memorize it after
   memorizing some of the items that follow it, what should I do?
A: You can use one of the following methods:
     - in SuperMemo 7.3 or later, use Browse:Intact:Move to edit the 
       sequence of intact items (the item queue)
     - while reviewing an intact item choose Memorize and Reset in
       turn (this will place the item at the end of the intact queue)
     - give a dummy grade in Learn (e.g. 5) and choose Reset

Q: I left for vacation, and my learning process is in mess. I want to
   start all over again. What should I do?
A: Use Miscellaneous:Mercy (you can optionally precede it with Wipe-Reset)

Q: My computer was hit by a virus. SuperMemo reports integrity errors and
   I cannot work. What should I do?
A: Use Tools:Recover or RESCUE.EXE (RECOV6.EXE in older versions)

Q: I use SuperMemo 6 on a Russian-made PC and one of your databases
   displays Russian characters in place of pronunciation codes.
   How can I remedy this problem?
A: You can choose either of the following:
    - install a suitable code page on your PC (see your DOS manual)
    - use REPSTR.EXE to replace the pronunciation codes with values
      which are appropriate for your PC (see TOOLKIT.TXT)
    - use FONTDES.EXE to design your own pronunciation character set

Q: How to make sure that the words I type in for an item are
   automatically put to the new line if the current line goes out
   of the item field?
A: Turn word-wrapping on in Miscellanous:Options (Miscellaneous:
   Paramters in older versions)

Q: In your materials I found a contradiction. On one hand you claim
   that once learned knowledge is constantly maintained in the learner's
   memory, on the other you say that after ceasing repetitions, I will
   gradually forget what I have learnt. Which is true?
A: Both facts are true. The term 'maintained' is understood as 'kept in
   memory by means of repetitions', not as 'remains in memory for ever'.

Q: The User's Guide often mentions that the user should periodically back
   up his/her databases. What does it mean and how to do it?
A: To back up a file means to copy it to an archive diskette in case the
   original file were to be lost or damaged.
   You can back up your files by means of DOS commands such as COPY or
   XCOPY, as well as by means of tools such as Norton Commander, PC Tools
   or Windows' File Manager.
   For example, if you keep your ENGLISH database in the directory
   C:\SM\DB\ then you can back it up on the diskette in drive A: by
   issuing:

       XCOPY C:\SM\DB\ENGLISH.* A: /V 

       or better yet

       PKZIP a:\ENGLISH_.ZIP C:\SM\DB\ENGLISH.*

Q: Can SuperMemo work with other file formats, e.g., ASCII, DBase, Lotus,
   Word Perfect, Quattro Pro, ChiWriter, etc.?
A: No. However, if the files contain data in the form of questions and
   answers (e.g. word pairs), they can easily be converted to SuperMemo
   format. The easiest way is to convert them to the TXT format accepted
   by Tools:Import text (or TO_SORT.EXE in older versions)

Q: How can I print the content of a whole database?
A: Use Tools:Export text and print the created text file (use TO_TEXT.EXE
   in older versions)

Q: I am creating a database for a group of students. How can we do the
   work simultaneously, i.e. creating the database and learning, without
   the need to type all the questions to each of the databases
   separately?
A: Use TRANSFER.EXE each time you add a new portion of items to your
   database. A batch file of the following format might be a good hint:
      Syntax:    MOVE <first_item> <last_item>
      Content:   TRANSFER S=TEACHER D=ROBERT %1-%2 RESET
                 TRANSFER S=TEACHER D=ANYA %1-%2 RESET
                 TRANSFER S=TEACHER D=TOMASZ %1-%2 RESET
                 TRANSFER S=TEACHER D=VERONICA %1-%2 RESET
      Example:   MOVE 2001-MAX

Q: I ran SuperMemo 6 on my PC and I could see only first letters of all
   the options. The rest was invisible! Is my version of SuperMemo wrong
   for my graphic controller?
A: No. All you have to do is to turn color off in your parameter set.
   To do this follow the step below:
      1. Run SuperMemo
      2. Press Alt-P to open the parameters menu
      3. Press C to turn color off
      4. Press W to overwrite the old parameter setting 

Q: For some time now, the Grade parameter in the main window hardly
   changes at all. Is something wrong going on?
A: Parameters such as Grade, Lapses, Retention, Mean time or Workload are,
   or are derived from, averages or trailing averages. Therefore, the
   longer the learning process, the less they change. After a year or
   so, you will hardly see them move

Q: When I back up my databases, do I have to back up SM5.EXE, SM6.EXE,
   or SM7.EXE as well?
A: No.

Q: How can Repetition indicate 7 while Cases 31. Which number is
   true?
A: Repetition says how many times a given item has been repeated.
   Cases indicates how many repetition cases, of various items,
   have been used to compute entries of OF and RF matrices.
   In other words, Repetition (among Item Parameters) concerns a 
   single item, while Cases (among Repetition Parameters) concerns many 
   items with the same E-Factor and Repetition number values.

Q: How can the average interval (Interval in the main window) be
   longer than the number of days I have spent on learning (Day in
   the main window)?
A: It is possible. For example, imagine that you have just started
   learning and you have memorized only one item. If its New Interval is
   4 days you will have the following in the main window:
          Day 1
          Interval 4.0

Q: What should I use Item:Copy for? What for do I need the same
   item in the same database?
A: You can duplicate an item, if you want to add to the database another
   item which is only slightly different. This way you can spare some
   time by reediting the old item instead of typing the new one.

Q: I think that lower grades, e.g. 3, should produce shorter intervals in
   comparison to higher grades, e.g. 5. It is not always so in SuperMemo.
A: In SuperMemo, lower grades may produce longer intervals because of the
   two following reasons:
    - Grade 3 may result in the enhancement of the so-called spacing
      effect, which may be less visible for Grade 5. The spacing effect
      says that longer intervals, and consequently greater recall efforts,
      produce more stable memory engrams. SuperMemo does not arbitrarily
      set the function of optimal intervals. It computes intervals which
      are most likely to result in the forgetting index defined in
      Miscellaneous:Options:Lapses; hence; the possibility of longer
      intervals for lower grades.
    - irregularities in computing optimum intervals may also result from
      the fact that some entries of the RF and OF matrices can be computed
      more accurately than others, depending on the number of repetition
      cases recorded in the process. The real-time smoothing of the OF
      matrix is used to counteract this problem. Moreover, highly
      irregular matrices, resulting from longer breaks in learning, can
      be smoothed by means of the option Miscellaneous:Approximate.

Q: I used SuperMemo 2 shareware, and was accustomed to repeating
   forgotten items on the next day. It is very irritating that in
   SuperMemo 7 I do not have this possibility.
A: SuperMemo 7 will schedule forgotten items in intervals which are
   determined by the desired forgetting index. The greatest increase
   in the speed of learning with SM7 as compared to SM2 resulted
   from substantially increasing the length of the first interval!
   The learner may be left with the feeling that he is likely to forget
   the item again if it is not repeated on the next day. Statistically,
   however, he will forget no more than the proportion defined by the
   forgetting index (specified in Miscellaneous:Options:Lapses).
   By reducing the forgetting index to less than 5%, the length of the
   first interval is likely to drop to 1-2 days in most cases.
   Moreover, if you have SuperMemo 7.3 or later and you are very
   particular about repeating a given item on the next day, you can
   Reset it and Memorize it with the first interval of one day.

Q: Why is the first interval after which the first repetition takes
   place not equal in all cases?
A: It is randomly modified to speed up computing its optimal value,
   as well as to produce smooth distribution of repetitions in a period of
   a few days.

Q: I have been using your program for one week. In my estimation, I can
   learn no more than 50-100% faster than without the program. Do you
   claim that my estimation is conservative?
A: No. The power of SuperMemo can only fully be observed after a longer
   period of time. The estimation of the 50-fold increase in the speed
   of learning concerns lifelong perspective. By using mnemonic
   techniques, you can easily beat SuperMemo in periods of up to one
   month. In other words, SuperMemo will not work for those you want
   to cram a great deal of data before an exam. On the other hand,
   it is of invaluable help for those who want to retain indispensable
   facts and figures for months and years.

Q: I found some errors in your databases. How can I correct them?
A: When you see the wrong item on the screen, press E (for Edit) and
   edit the item. In editing, use arrow keys, backspace, etc.

Q: Why can I not see the correlation between intervals and the grades
   given in learning?
A: Your impression of no correlation between grades and intervals is
   quite common among those who begin their work with SuperMemo.
   It results from the fact that at memorizing new items, first intervals
   are randomly dispersed around a fixed value.
   This value comes from the model of an average learner, and can
   be modified only after the repetitions have shed some light
   on if the value should be increased, decreased or kept at the
   same level. Consequently, it will often happen that a lower
   grade will produce a longer interval and vice versa.
   At memorizing new items, grades cannot be used to estimate item
   difficulty because the program has no way of knowing if good
   grades come from easiness of items or from the fact that a given
   group of items has just been input to the database (inputting
   items is a form of repetition).
   You will start noticing the correlation between grades and
   intervals in a week or two.

Q: (1) I want to spend my money on the MegaMemory program delivered
   on cassette tapes. How would you convince me, that I should rather
   spend money on buying SuperMemo (2) Is SuperMemo the same as
   SuperLearning developed by Dr Georgi Lozanov from Bulgaria? (3)
   Which techniques produce a greater increase in the speed of
   learning: SuperMemo or the mind maps proposed by Tony Buzan?
A: The mnemonic techniques (Tony Buzan, MegaMemory, etc.), SuperLearning
   (Dr Georgi Lozanov) and SuperMemo are all complementary, and make up
   the three pillars of effective learning. All of them have to do with
   optimization:
    * In SuperLearning the stress is on optimizing the cognitive
      environment which produces the best effects on the learning
      process.
    * In mnemonic techniques, the representation of knowledge is
      optimized in order to produce the most durable memory engrams.
    * In SuperMemo, the optimization concerns the spacing of
      repetitions.
   To be a successful learner, you have to apply mnemonic techniques
   while using SuperMemo in a optimum cognitive environment. The
   important advantage of SuperMemo is that many capable learners
   develop quite good techniques as far as mnemonics is concerned.
   They can also reasonably master their own physiology to subject it
   to the learning effort. However, they have no way of optimizing the
   spacing of repetitions. Mostly due to the fact that the amount and
   complexity of computation needed to determine the spacing require
   the use of a computer, and the technology proprietary to SuperMemo
   World. You are advised to follow the teachings of Tony Buzan, Kevin
   Trudeau and Georgi Lozanov; however, if you are a capable learner,
   you can safely commit your foremost priority to learning how to
   optimize your learning schedule. As for now, SuperMemo is the
   world's best tool developed to assist you in this task.

Q: How do you respond to the accusation that the whole SuperMemo theory
   is contradicted by the claim stated in the MegaMemory program of the
   American Memory Institute, which says that forming indelible memories
   is possible if suitable representation of the learned knowledge is
   used?
A: AMI is a commercial, not scientific institution. The claim that their
   program produces indelible memories can only be understood as part of
   the marketing strategy used to promote their otherwise very
   interesting program. The concept of permastore has been proposed in a
   limited number of publications in the field of psychology; however,
   the data collected in the research on molecular aspects of memory
   clearly refutes such as possibility. In SuperMemo, items whose optimal
   intervals reach beyond the biologically determined lifespan can be
   considered part of the permanent memory store. The easiest way to
   disprove the AMI's claim is to use their program to memorize a large
   body of intractable knowledge with and without help of SuperMemo
   (e.g. 1000 phone numbers would do). The knowledge retention after a
   6-month-long period will stand at 85-98% with SuperMemo (depending
   on the forgetting index), and 5-15% without it (depending on
   individual capabilities)!

Q: Do you not think that the minimum information principle stands in
   conflict with the ages old rule that the learned knowledge should be
   highly associative in nature?
A: No. The minimum information principles concerns the representation
   of knowledge in SuperMemo databases, not in the learner's memory,
   and it does not prevent great advantages coming from proper
   structuring of the learned material. In the optimum situation, the
   learner should first construct a cohesive model of the learned
   subject, and only then, apply SuperMemo to make sure that the
   learned knowledge is sustained in memory as a whole. The knowledge
   may be highly associative, but strictly targeted neural stimulation,
   achieved by means of granular representation of knowledge in
   SuperMemo, is necessary to effectively induce molecular processes
   responsible for memory formation.

Q: On what basis do you ground your claim that SuperMemo increases the
   speed of learning from 10-50 times?
A: For knowledge retention of 95%, it can be computed that the number
   of repetitions in an average learning lifetime (i.e. about 55 years)
   is 50 times greater for equally spaced repetitions than for
   progressive repetitions (as used in SuperMemo). For repetitions with
   no regular spacing scheme, this number may even be greater. Moreover,
   the greater the required knowledge retention, the greater the increase
   in the knowledge acquisition rate (classical forms of learning almost
   never reach knowledge retention above 10%!!!). In practise, users of
   SuperMemo claim that it increases their speed of learning from 50% to
   2000%. These values are, however, highly subjective, as they do not
   account for so-called intractable items, which are practically
   unmemorizable without SuperMemo. In other words, learners tend to
   underestimate the fact that they reach knowledge retention from
   90-99%, which would hardly be achievable using any other method.

Q: Can SuperMemo be used to forget things?
A: Forgetting is a molecular process that cannot easily be induced by
   natural methods. The more so, there are no sensitive methods to
   induce selective forgetting, though lesion to some parts of the
   cerebral cortex may produce roughly localized amnesia. However,
   there is a component of forgetting that may be influenced. This
   component is interference. Whenever we learn new things, they always
   interfere with previously learned material. The interference may
   enhance some of memories while obliterating others. This fact can
   be used to employ SuperMemo in forgetting, by formulating and
   memorizing a large number of contradictory items that strongly
   interfere with remembered facts that are to be forgotten. However,
   you should not expect the effectiveness of such a procedure to be
   anything but discouraging.

Q: When and how can I use Wipe?
A: Use Wipe in the following circumstances:
     * if you want to slightly postpone some of the repetitions, e.g.
       in a busy period (Run Wipe)
     * if you want to eliminate some of intractable items from the
       learning process (until you decide to memorize them again)
       (Reset-Wipe)
  Use Wipe as follows:
     * choose the maximum interval of items that are to be Wiped
       or Reset (e.g. 7 days after a shorter break in learning, or
       200 days after a summer vacation)
     * if you intend to use Run Wipe as opposed to Reset-Wipe,
       choose the interval increase factor (usually 1.1-1.3)

Q: Are databases of SuperMemo 6 compatible with SuperMemo 7?
A: Databases of SuperMemo 6 are compatible with SuperMemo 7; however,
   ASCII characters below 32 and above 128 may be defined differently
   in DOS and Windows. You can easily remedy the above problems by 
   converting your databases by means of Tools : Replace strings (use
   REPSTR.EXE in older versions). Alternatively, you can set the font
   in the Windows database to Terminal, which will give the database 
   its DOS look.

Q: Why is Lapses (5) 12% upon upgrading SuperMemo 2 databases to
   SuperMemo 6? Why are the real values not computed?
A: Databases in SuperMemo 2 and 5 do not keep Lapses information
   (measured forgetting index). Therefore, upon conversion, default
   values are taken.
   Lapses should be set to 10 by default as in SuperMemo 6, but the
   upgrade program UP_5_6.EXE ver. 1.5 still used the outdated default 5.
   It has been changed to 10 in the version 1.6.

Q: I set Lapses to 10 and used Approximate but I do not know if this
   generated optimal OF and RF matrices?
A: You cannot do much damage with Approximate. Even if optimization
   slows down a bit, the program should recover fast by modifying the
   OF matrix to suit the optimum schedule.
   Moreover, note that Approximate does not affect the RF matrix.

Q: Why can I not see the effect of different grades during memorizing
   new items, and during the final drill? Are grades used there, and
   how?
A: At memorizing and at final drill, the interpretation of grades is
   limited to Pass (4 or more) and Fail (less than 4).
   None of the optimization parameters are affected.
   Here are the reasons:
    - at memorizing new items, grades cannot be used to determine
      item difficulty, because the program has no way of knowing if
      a good grade resulted from easiness of the item or from the fact
      that the user has just input the given item to the database.
      Consequently, grades cannot affect optimization, and are only
      used to detect items that should be scheduled for final drill.
    - Final drill is not used for optimization either. This is because
      of the fact that final drill relies on short-term memory, and
      is substantially more sensitive to inter-item interference as
      well as more dependent on the number of other items separating
      repetitions of the item in question.
      Final drill is used solely for the purpose of fixing the forgotten
      information in the user's brain. Grades are used only to eliminate
      from the final drill those items which score 4 or more.

Q: What is the address of the Grossman Club?
A: The club does not have any official seat.

Q: Why do some of SuperMemo items seem to fall out of the item
   editor in SuperMemo 6.x?
A: This problem may appear in databases created in SuperMemo 7
   for SuperMemo 7. Use Tools:Export to SuperMemo 6 to remedy
   the problem.

Q: Why is it not possible to use databases of SuperMemo 7 with
   SuperMemo 6?
A: SuperMemo 7 was not designed as backward compatible with
   SuperMemo 6. The main compatibility problems are: (1) SM6 does
   not allow of graphics in items, (2)  SM7 allows of longer text 
   lines in its items. By using Tools : Export to SM6 you can use
   SM7 databases with SM6, but you will lose the content of your
   visual items.

Q: I have created my own question and answer files in ASCII. I would
   like to convert them into SuperMemo databases. What is the easiest
   way?
A: Manually or programmatically, convert the files to the TXT format
   acceptable by Tools:Import text (or TO_SORT.EXE in older versions).
   All question lines should start with 'Q:' and all answer lines should
   starting with 'A:'. 

Q: What sound boards is SuperMemo 7 AudioVisual compatible with?
A: All Windows compatible sound boards.

Q: How can I redefine the keyboard in SuperMemo 7?
A: Create a text file named [database name].KBD, and in the successive
   lines of the file place the following pairs separated by spaces:
   Alt-key and character. For example:
     A   
     C   
     Z   , etc.
   The database [database name] will use the new keyboard mapping in
   the item editor.

Q: How to convert databases between different standards of diacritical
   character codes (e.g. Mazovia and Latin II for Polish)?
A: Use Tools:Replace strings (or REPSTR.EXE in older versions). Define 
   your own FLT or CNV file or use FLT or CNV files supplied by SuperMemo 
   World.

Q: How can I run SuperMemo on a network?
A: Install the program on the server, and let particular learners keep
   their databases in their home directories. All the users will share
   the parameters stored in SM7.INI file, though each of them will have 
   his or her own learning parameters, which will not interfere with those 
   of the other learners.

Q: Can I use SuperMemo to improve intelligence?
A: Yes.
   Let us define intelligence as the capability to process information.
   Your brain is like a computer: the better software it runs, the better
   it performs. You can identify the elements of knowledge that, for
   example, will make you perform better in intelligence tests. Those
   elements, if representable in audiovisual or textual form, can be used
   to learn, and consequently, improve your intelligence.
   Yet much greater scope for improvement will come with programmable
   SuperMemo (available by January 1995) in which, you will be able to 
   write your own DLL libraries of repetitions.
   With programmable SuperMemo you will be able to learn everything that
   does not require specialized hardware!

Q: Why are intervals in SuperMemo so long? In SuperMemo 2 they used to
   be much shorter.
A: They are as long as it takes to produce the desired proportion of
   items to be forgotten at repetitions. If intervals are irritatingly
   long, reduce the lapses parameter, and follow it with Approximate.

Q: Why are some of the items repeated in intervals that increase by
   just one day between repetitions? I am certain that those intervals
   could be longer.
A: The intervals are as long as it takes to produce the desired
   proportion of items to be forgotten at repetitions. If repetitions are
   irritatingly frequent, increase the lapses parameter, and follow it
   with Approximate.

Q: Why are E-factors always equal 2.5 at the beginning of repetitions?
A: Historically, the value 2.5 comes from the development of SuperMemo;
   not from any specific property of memory. It could be 0.25 or 25 as
   soon as all the remaining optimization parameters were modified
   accordingly. You can look at E-factors as a very rough approximation
   of O-factors for the forgetting index equal 15% and the repetition
   number greater than 2.

Q: Why do not grades affect E-factors in memorizing new items?
A: At memorizing new items, grades cannot be used to estimate item
   difficulty because the program has no way of knowing if good
   grades come from easiness of items or from the fact that a given
   group of items has just been input to the database (inputting
   items is a form of repetition). E-factors can only be verifiably
   modified after the lapse of the first interval.

Q: Upon undeleting a mistakenly deleted database, the search procedure
   started doing strange things. I could not remedy the problem with
   your recovery tools. What should I do?
A: Run Tools : Garbage. Remember Tools:Recover and RESCUE.EXE do not 
   recover from the damage to ITM files which store the text of items. 
   The only way to recover from ITM file damage is to run Garbage, and 
   try to rescue particular items manually.

Q: Why does SuperMemo ask only those items which are difficult?
A: Just because they are difficult. You do not want to learn things
   you already know, do you? The purpose of SuperMemo optimization is
   to compute the best intervals between repetitions. Difficult items must
   be repeated more often; hence the impression that only the hardest
   items are considered in the process.

Q: Why is the Edit window in SuperMemo 7 called EDIT 1, not just EDIT?
A: Because it is the first Edit window created. If you open more Edit
   windows, they will be marked by the number of similar windows
   created on your desktop (e.g. EDIT 2, EDIT 3, etc.).

Q: Why does not SuperMemo mix the order of items scheduled for
   repetitions? I have introduced some words in an alphabetical order
   and they are asked in the same order at repetitions. This is not
   optimal.
A: True. Please note, however, that items will be mixed as soon as
   their E-factors and intervals become different. The major advantage
   of not mixing items is the fact that at repetitions, short interval
   items are asked first. The learner has a general feeling of how
   long intervals are assigned to items that are currently being asked.
   This makes it possible to sharpen the accuracy of grading for
   long-interval items whose inaccurate placement in the repetition
   schedule has more severe consequences for the learning process.

Q: Why do I have negative entries in the first column of the optimal
   factor matrix (SuperMemo 6)? This quarrels with the definition of
   an O-factor? I also get negative OFs in Approximate (SuperMemo 6).
A: (1) The first column in the option Optimal factors displays a weighted
       average of OF[r,EF]-OF[r,EF-0.1] (only in SuperMemo 6) where
       OF[r,EF] is O-factor for the r-th repetition and E-factor EF.
       This average is usualy negative for the first repetition, and
       positive for all other repetitions.
       The columns of the OF-matrix are denoted 1.3, 1.4, etc.
   (2) The function used to approximate the OF-matrix (let us denote it
       Fa(OF)) is not used directly in the state-evaluation function of
       the approximaation procedure (let us denote it SEF(OF)).
       SEF could be illustrated algorithmically as follows:
           if Fa(OF[r,EF])>OFmin[r,EF] then SEF:=Fa(OF[r,EF])-OF[r,EF]
              else SEF:=OFmin[r,EF]-OF[r,EF]
       The approximation minimizes the absolute value |SEF|, and is not
       greatly suppressed by negative Fa(OF) values. However, the resulting
       Fa(OF) is displayed as is, though its entries might be negative.
       Obviously, the new OF matrix cannot contain negative entries and
       each time Fa(OF[r,EF]) is less than OFmin[r,EF], the entry OF[r,EF]
       will be set to OFmin[r,EF]. This approach produces lower |SEF|
       than simple SEF:=Fa(OF[r,EF])-OF[r,EF]; hence it is preferred.

Q: When an infant burns its fingers, it is not likely to forget the
   experience. How does it relate to your claim that nothing learned
   once can be remembered for ever without repetition?
A: Some low-level memories may differ in nature from memories typically
   involved in high-level learning. This results from the existence of
   specialized nervous circuitry involved in storing inborn memories,
   which may combine with newly acquired experience. This way, a number
   of reflexes does not have to be ever learned, and remains imprinted
   in memory for lifetime.
   However, in the above case, one should not overlook the fact that
   repetition of an unpleasant experience such as burning one's fingers,
   does not have to be based on repeating the experience itself. The mere
   fact of visual contact with flames, may invoke unpleasant memories and
   serve as a repetition. This way, each subsequent contact with fire,
   hot plate, etc. will effectively function as a repetition, without a
   need to experience the pain.

Q: Tony Buzan claims that the first review (second repetition) of an item
   should take place in 24 hours. This is not so in SuperMemo. Why?
A: As of SuperMemo 6, the length of the first interval is computed from
   the forgetting curve plotted in the course of repetitions to make
   sure that a defined proportion of items is remembered; usu 80-97%
   (this proportion is programmed by means of setting the forgetting
   index in the option Lapses). Depending on the forgetting index, the
   length of the first interval may range from 1 up to 20 days, and is
   not set arbitrarily. It is computed from the record of repetitions
   and determined by the desired forgetting index.
   (requested forgetting index is the proportion of items that are not
   remembered at repetitions)

Q: Tony Buzan claims that 75% of information is lost if not reviewed in
   24 hours. Does it not defeat the validity of SuperMemo in which the
   first interval is often longer than a week?
A: No. Buzan's claim seems to be invalid in the light of results obtained
   with SuperMemo. In SuperMemo 6 and later, if the learner chooses the
   retention of 95%, the typical value of the first interval falls in the
   range 2-6 days depending on the learner and the difficulty of the
   learned material. For retention 25%, the same interval might be as
   long as one month, though it cannot be verified experimentally with
   SuperMemo which limits the range of the forgetting index from 3-20%,
   which implies the overall retention in the range of 85-99%.

Q: What are the minimum hardware requirements of SuperMemo?
A:                 Model  OS           Memory    Hard disk    Graphics
      SuperMemo 2    XT  DOS 3         200 KB      none         any
      SuperMemo 5    XT  DOS 3         300 KB      none         any
      SuperMemo 6    XT  DOS 3         512 KB      none       EGA/VGA recomm.
      SuperMemo 7    AT  Windows 3.1    2 MB       2-5 MB     VGA or better
   Additionally, you may need the following:
     - extra hard disk space for large audiovisual databases
     - sound device working in Windows for audio databases
     - 256-color display for some visual databases
     - CD-ROM for Advanced English Audio

Q: Do you have SuperMemo for Mac, Amiga, Atari, etc.
A: SuperMemo is available for DOS, Windows and Amiga. To learn more
   about the Amiga version contact Twin Spark Soft, Os.Kolorowe 9/16,
   31-939 Krakow, Poland, tel: (48) 12 444368, fax: (48) 12 477299.
   The Macintosh version is to be released in October 1994. To learn more
   about the Mac version contact AS Projekt, ul.Warynskiego 10/78,
   85-320 Bydgoszcz, Poland, tel/fax: (48) 52 392759.

Q: I want to learn Russian. Can SuperMemo provide Cyrillic?
A: Yes.
   In SuperMemo 6.6 or later (for DOS) do the following:
      - if your database is RUSSIAN, copy any of the FNT files
        from your installation disk (DB directory) and rename it
        to RUSSIAN.FNT
      - using FONTDES.EXE shareware (added to standard SuperMemo
        disks as of version 6.7) define Russian characters by
        modifying the RUSSIAN.FNT file
      - copy the RUSSIAN.FNT file to the directory with your
        RUSSIAN database
      - if your have an EGA/VGA compatible graphic controller,
        Russian fonts should be available in SuperMemo 6
   In SuperMemo 7 do the following:
      - install Cyryllic in your Windows
      - choose Cyryllic font for your RUSSIAN database

Q: How can I learn mathematical formulas in SuperMemo?
A: You can choose one of the following:
    - use TEX syntax if you know it
    - define your own font with mathematical symbols 
    - use graphic representation in SuperMemo 7

Q: I use SuperMemo 6 and cannot input some control characters in my
   items because they are interpreted as commands. How can I remedy the
   problem?
A: If you have SuperMemo 6.7 or later, redefine the keyboard layout by
   means of a KBD file accompanying your database.

Q: I create a database and use it together with my sister. How can we
   share files so that all correction introduced by me would automatically
   appear in her databases?
A: Sharing files is not allowed between the databases of two different
   users. The only thing you can do is to periodically use Tools : Transfer
   items (TRANSFER.EXE in older versions) to transfer newly introduced 
   items to your sister's database. However, you will not be able to edit 
   both databases at the same time. All editing will have to take place 
   before the act of transfer.

Q: How to convert a database to text without losing its learning parameters
   and then to convert it back to a SuperMemo database?
A: Use Tools:Export text and remember to turn SLIM off. Later you can use
   Tools:Import text.

Q: Why is time updated only at the repetition time?
A: The timer used in SuperMemo is used to estimate some parameters
   related to the learning process (Mean Time, Workload, etc.). Obviously,
   the time which the learner spends on editing the database, or even
   eating his/her lunch, is of little relevance to the method per se.
   The time spent for the entire learning session, if at all needed, can
   easily be computed by using an external timer, e.g. a separate Windows
   application.

Q: Why did you not implement Undo in SuperMemo?
A: A single-step undo in item controls is available in the Windows
   version by pressing Ctrl-Z or Alt-Backspace. Future versions will
   include multistep undo.

Q: How can I replace questions with answers for word pairs?
A: Press Ctrl+TAB to swap questions with answers in a single item, or 
   run Tools:Swap items to swap the whole database (use SWAP.EXE in 
   older versions).

Q: I would like to keep the definition of backgammon in my SuperMemo
   database, but I cannot cut the Webster wording to suit the 250
   character limit, and yet make the definition understandable:
   "a board game played with dice and counters in which each player
   tries to move his counters along the board and at the same time to
   block or capture his opponent's counters ..."
A: If you do not know what backgammon is, you should not attempt to
   store the rules of the game in just one definition! See the chapter
   "Principles of effective work with SuperMemo. Simplicity" to get some
   clues on how to formulate items. You might choose one or two features
   that define backgammon unambiguously, and keep the rest of details in
   separate items, for example: "What do players try to do with the
   opponent's counters in backgammon?", "What is the size of the board
   used in backgammon?", "How many counters does a player have in
   backgammon?", etc. If you know what backgammon is, and you just want
   to make sure that you do not forget the name, you might just ask
   "What is the name of the game I played with Robert in summer 1993?".
   However, if you are just a learner of languages, it may appear
   sufficient to learn that backgammon is a kind of board game.
   In Advanced English you will find the following item:
                  Q: backgammon    A: kind of game.

Q: Your claim that SuperMemo allows to learn with the speed that closely
   approaches the maximum speed with which memories can be formed does
   not sound convincing. What evidence do you have to substantiate this
   claim?
A: For a given collection of questions and answers SuperMemo computes a
   repetition schedule that cannot be much improved by algorithmic means.
   In this sense, it gives you almost the best possible repetition timing.
   Obviously, there is a great number of elements that can improve the
   learning process independently of SuperMemo. These are:
     - application of mnemonic techniques (the same item may be memorized
       in a number of ways, each of them providing different stability of
       memory traces)
     - repetition procedure and environment
     - health and the status of the learner's mind
     - pharmacological factors, etc.
   Moreover, the same knowledge may be represented in a different way
   (different order of items, different wording, etc.) which may greatly
   affect the speed of learning.
   As far as SuperMemo optimization algorithms are concerned, their
   accuracy cannot be greatly improved because of the environmental
   noise that interferes with the learning process. Each item may be
   more or less consciously repeated in common life situations; the
   process being beyond the control of SuperMemo.

Q: What is SuperMemo World's e-mail?
A: If you have an important problem, you might try one of the
   following:
      JAM@PLPUAM11.BITNET [English] (theoretical questions about
        SuperMemo, proposed improvements to software, developing
        new databases, biological aspects of memory)
      JAM@BRAHMS.UDEL.EDU [English, Polish] (general info,
        available databases)
      GELESNIA@LFS.CYF-KR.EDU.PL [Polish, English] (SuperMemo for
        Amiga, existing databases)
      SUPRMEMO@FIREFLY.PRAIRIENET.ORG [English] (SuperMemo USA, Inc.,
        orders and distribution in the US)
   All e-mail messages are read carefully. Please understand, however,
   that we are unable to answer all e-mail inquiries.

Q: I neglected my repetitions for too long. I want to start again with
   the same database. What should I do?
A: Use Tools:Reset:Database (run RESET.EXE in older versions)
   Remember to set the correct date in your PC!

Q: Can SuperMemo work on databases compressed with DBLSPACE in DOS 6?
A: Yes

Q: What is the interpretation of E-factors? Why do they range from
   1.2 to 3.5, not from 1 to 20?
A: Before SuperMemo 5, optimum intervals were computed using the
   formula:
      OI(n):=OI(n-1)*EF
   where:
     OI(n) - optimum interval after the n-th repetition
     EF - a factor expressing the difficulty of an item (now
          called the E-factor; E stands for easiness; the higher
          the E-factor, the easier the item).
   In SuperMemo 5, for simplicity, EFs became indices to the matrix
   of optimal factors.
   Obviously, E-factors might have values ranging from 1 to 20, but
   this would blur their intuitive interpretation as the approximate
   value by which subsequent intervals have to be multiplied.
   Moreover, the formulas for modifying E-factors were inherited almost
   literally from SuperMemo 2, which naturally suggests keeping their
   previous intuitive range.

Q: How can I improve sampling and resolution of recordings associated
   with SuperMemo items?
A: Create an empty wave file with the desired parameters and copy it
   in place of 0.WAV in the BIN subdirectory. Alternatively, use
   Audio:Import if you want to change only the parameters of a
   sound file associated with a single item.

Q: How can I change the size or other parameters of bitmaps associated
   with SuperMemo items?
A: Create an empty bitmap file with the desired parameters and copy it
   in place of 0.BIN in the BIN subdirectory. Alternatively, use
   Image:Import if you want to change only the parameters of a bitmap
   associated with a single item.

Q: I use SuperMemo 7 on a number of computers. Do I always have to
   repeat the entire installation procedure?
A: No. Prepare a floppy containing the following files SM7.EXE, SM7.CI_,
   and BWCC.DLL (if you create new audiovisual items then add yet
   0.BMP and 0.WAV). These files suffice to run SuperMemo on an computer
   provided with Windows.

Q: I have created two databases and would rather use one. How can I
   merge databases?
A: Use Tools:Transfer items and transfer items from the second database
   to the first database (in older versions use TRANSFER.EXE; for example 
   to merge GEOG1 with GEOG2 run  TRANSFER S=GEOG2 D=GEOG1 ALL)

Q: When I use Append in SuperMemo 7, how can I get to the previously
   input item?
A: Press F8 and arrow left.

Q: How many bitmap and sound files can I have in one database directory?
A: SuperMemo can handle up to 60,000 bitmaps and sound files per database;
   however, the true limitation is your hard disk space (note, that you
   cannot keep a large number of files in the root directory). For very
   large databases, CD-ROM or CD-ROM Alias file access mode is recommended
   (use BRANCH.EXE to convert from Standard to CD-ROM mode). You can use
   CD-ROM modes on a large hard disk as well.

Q: In SuperMemo 7.3 I resized the question and answer field beyond the
   scope of a maximized Edit window. I cannot grab the sizing border and
   return to the previous setting. What should I do?
A: Size the left or top part of the window and it will automatically be
   relocated to the upper left corner. You can also determine the size
   of windows in SuperMemo by editing database's INI file.

Q: You claim that computer dummies can use SuperMemo without much ado.
   I am one of them. I bought a database for learning German and cannot
   get proper fonts in Windows. One of my colleagues suggested I used
   CNV files coming with the database. However, I can by no means figure
   out how to do this. Your claim is misleading! Using SuperMemo is not
   so simple.
A: You are right. You need some experience with computers to convert
   databases using REPSTR and CNV files. We can only apologize and
   explain that our claim of SuperMemo's simplicity was based on the
   fact that you need only 5 simple operations to start out with.
   This assumes that you create your own database with Append/Expand
   and the problem of fonts does not exist. However, if you get a
   database with DOS fonts and you need Windows fonts, you quickly step
   beyond the basics (to learn how to use REPSTR.EXE see TOOLKIT.TXT
   or the chapter about SuperMemo Toolkit in Speed-learning with
   SuperMemo 7 for Windows).

Q: The manual says that I can eliminate useless information from the
   database by means of Garbage, but it does not state how to do it.
   How can I delete useless items with Garbage?
A: Garbage removes redundant or useless data from the database in order
   to reduce its size, but cannot be used to delete items! The database
   before and after Garbage looks almost the same to the user. The only
   major difference is that it is smaller. To delete useless items use
   Delete instead. When you see the item you want to eliminate press Del
   (or D in SuperMemo 6).

Q: I would like to use SuperMemo on 20 terminals in a lab, what is the
   cost of a multiple licence?
A: You can either buy a 20-terminal LabPack (1 package + 19 extra
   installations) or you can buy a 30-terminal site licence (30 terminal
   LanPack).
   The cost of an extra installation is about 20% of the full installation
   and the cost of 30-terminal LanPack is about 500% of a single
   installation. As the cost of a 20-terminal LabPack is lower (1+19*0.2=
   4.8) than that of a LanPack (5), you will prefer the former.
   Mutiply the cost of a single package times 4.8 to get the cost of
   a 20-terminal LabPack.

Q: In Advanced English, you use questions like "instance of reducing",
   "instance of mocking", etc. Do you not think that it directly
   suggests the answer ("reduction", "mockery", etc.)? Is that OK?
A: This is in accordance with the minimum information principle. The
   question assumes that the words "reduce" and "mock" are understood;
   therefore "reduction" and "mockery" are also understood. The only
   problem is the exact wording of the noun form. After all, in common
   situations, the simple forms of the verb or adjective are also known,
   and the problem is with forming the noun (e.g. "essential" ->
   "essentiality", "proportional" -> "proportionality", etc.)

Q: How to change the physical order of items in the database?
A: - In SuperMemo 7.3, choose Browse:All:Move. You will be prompted to
     rebuild the database upon quitting the browser
   - In earlier versions of SuperMemo:
     (1) Use TO_TEXT.EXE or TRANSFER.EXE with option TXT to convert a
     database to the text format, (2) word-process the text file, (3)
     convert the text file to the STB format (TO_SORT.EXE), and (4)
     convert the STB file to the ITM format (TO_SM.EXE).
     Only TRANSFER.EXE will ensure that the operations will retain the
     parameters of the learning process (see TOOLKIT.TXT for more).

Q: I had a break in learning, and now the retention in my database
   rapidly decreases. To avoid the drop, I made a copy of the database,
   reset it, and did repetitions in both the old and the reset database.
   Do you advise any better method?
A: Your action is an excellent example of what NOT TO DO with SuperMemo!!!
   A break in learning will always result in a drop in retention, and
   the only cure is to continue with repetitions as regularly as possible.
   By doing repetitions in two identical databases you will completely
   fool SuperMemo and your process may turn into mess. Delete the
   new database immediately, and work regularly with the old one! The
   only crutches we recommend are Wipe and Reset used in moderation.

Q: Why does the forgetting curve span only 20-days?
A: The 20-day limit pertains only to the first repetition. In most
   cases, the first interval does not reach beyond 20 days. When
   inspecting the curve, press the down-arrow key, and the curve for
   the second repetition will be presented. All graphs for repetition
   number greater than 1 use U-factor as the measure of time. If, for
   example, the first interval was 10 days, then the U-factor limit of
   5 for the second repetition, corresponds to 5*10 days, i.e. 50 days
   (compare the definition of the U-factor). Consequently, the graph
   will span the period of 50 days. For higher repetition numbers,
   U-factors and forgetting curve graphs will correspond with longer
   inter-repetion intervals.

Q: I use SuperMemo 6.7 and cannot get pronunciation symbols in Basic
   English on VGA. The manual says that I should have the symbols if
   the database contains the proper FNT file. What is wrong?
A: Probably, your CONFIG.SYS does not allow you to open a sufficient
   number of files (set FILES=15 at least)

Q: Why do I get "Incorrect parameter path" in SM6 when I use
   Miscellaneous : Parameters : Write parameters?
A: Probably, your CONFIG.SYS does not allow you to open a sufficient
   number of files (set FILES=15 at least)

Q: I cannot install SM6 on my hard disk. After installation, some of
   the files have zero sizes, though no errors are reported by the
   installation program. Is my installation diskette damaged?
A: If you are using DBLSPACE, check if you have enough disk space
   available. Remember that DBLSPACE may overestimate the free disk
   area. Run DEFRAG if necessary.

Q: Can I expect that you will turn off Alt-M hotkey in SM6?
   Very often when I want to type in , and press Alt-M, I get to
   Mercy instead?
A: In the KBD file, add the line (only SuperMemo 6.7):
      Alt-M 
   This way even when you mistakenly press Alt-M instead of Alt-N,
   you will get the desired character.

Q: Can I use CNV files from Word for Windows with REPSTR.EXE?
A: No. CNV files are simple text files which you can easily define
   by yourself to globally replace strings in your database. They
   have nothing to do with format conversion used in Word.

Q: I have about ten databases on different subjects. How can I
   quickly check the total number of outstanding items in my
   databases without opening each database in turn and using a
   calculator?
A: In SuperMemo 7.4, use Tools : Cross-section. In earlier versions
   of SuperMemo use CROSS.EXE (see the manual or TOOLKIT.TXT for
   details). See the number displayed in the row OUTSTANDING and
   in the column TOTAL. The cross-section report exported by SuperMemo
   7.4 can be easily imported to any spread-sheet (e.g. in Quattro Pro
   for Windows you can choose Tools:Import, check the box Only commas,
   select the CRP file and click OK)

Q: Why is the first interval not always of the same length?
A: Intervals are always slightly dispersed around the optimal
   value because of two reasons: (1) diversified retention
   measurements at repetitions increase the accuracy of forgetting
   curve sketching and accelerate the convergence of optimization
   parameters, (2) dispersion helps counteract lumpiness (large
   variations in the numbers of repetitions scheduled for particular
   days).

Q: Why do not questions in Advanced English suggest that there are
   two or three correct answers separated by a slash?
A: Because the purpose is to be able to recall at least one of these
   answers, not all of them. In real life situations, an idea springs
   up to your mind, and you must quickly put it to words. You do not
   need to remember all the relevant synonyms at the moment, though
   knowing and using them might add to the beauty of your statement.
   Trying to recall all the synonyms would greatly slow down your work
   with the database, though there is no counterindication against
   your proposed approach.

Q: How is it possible that the last repetition date of an item is
   earlier than the date of creating the database?
A: The item might have been transferred from another database by
   means of Edit:Item:Transfer or Tools:Transfer items.

Q: Why is Average New Interval different from the product of
   Average Old Interval and Average Interval Increase? (in Mercy)
A: The question is based on a wrong assumption concerning the
   operations on average numbers. The following is not true:
        avg(A)*avg(B/A)=avg(B)

Q: Do you plan to introduce a parameter that would limit a number
   of repetitions per day?
A: No. Consider a situation that the limit is 100, and you have already
   100 items per day filled up for the next 365 days. Adding new items
   would mean running Mercy again and again; and Mercy, as you remember,
   if it is to be done optimally, takes quite a time to execute. Even if
   you conceive smart Mercy that circumvents the collect-sort-reschedule
   paradigm, and keeps schedule information in a quickly accessible
   format, each repetition at Memorize new items would involve an
   operation of rescheduling about 300 items (unless you want the first
   interval to be one year long).

Q: Is there AND-Search available in SuperMemo?
A: Not directly. You can do AND-Search as follows:
     - run FindAll with the first string
     - run Child:Search with the second string (this will open a child
       browser displaying only the items that contain both strings)

Q: I have an exam for a driver's licence in 2 weeks. How can I best
   memorize the Traffic Regulations database? How can I increase the
   frequency of repetitions?
A: It would be safer to start 2-3 months before the exam; however, the
   following shall work pretty well:
   Set Parameters:Lapses at 3%, and run Approximate. In SuperMemo 7,
   when memorizing difficult items, choose Item:Reset and then
   Item:Memorize. Provide the first interval of 1 day in the latter
   case. Memorize the database in equal portions up to 2-4 days before
   the exam. Use Random test extensively in the last 2-4 days.

Q: How can I undo pressing a wrong grade?
A: You cannot do it. If you press a passing grade for a forgotten item,
   you can choose Item:Reset and Item:Memorize to put the item anew into
   the learning process with a selected first interval.

Q: I am writing my Master's Thesis in mathematics on algorithms used
   in SuperMemo. However, me and my supervisor cannot figure out why
   does not SuperMemo allow intervals to decrease, even if it might
   seem optimal?
A: Item which cannot sustain increasing intervals in repetitions must
   be considered ill-defined and reformulated, or even removed from
   the learning process altogether. One of the earlier versions of
   SuperMemo adopted the decreasing interval approach with disastrous
   effects. The solution was promptly discarded. Decreasing intervals is
   like letting items linger indefinitely in a semi-forgotten state.
   The present solution puts all items to a true test of well-structuredness,
   and those items that cannot pass it are forgotten again and again.
   Forgetting occurs up to the point when the impatient learner looks for
   a remedy to the problem (restructuring, mnemonic techniques or ...
   deleting).

Q: The old good REPSTR.EXE had an option /r that allowed me to execute
   the replacement of string in the reverse order. How can I do it with
   Tools : Replace strings [in SuperMemo 7.4]? Do I have to rewrite the
   entired filter file?
A: No. In the [OPTIONS] section, add the option REVERSE that will do the
   job for you.

Q: Can I use the options on the Audio menu without a sound board?
A: Yes. All you need is to install a driver that will generate Windows
   sounds through the internal speaker of your computer. For example,
   you might use Speaker Driver shareware by Microsoft (e.g. available
   in Poland from Zbych; tel (2) 6176984; e-mail: zbych@ikp.atm.com.pl).

Q: Why do you not differentiate the value of the forgetting index for
   items with different repetition numbers? This would make it possible
   to increase the retention for items with long intervals at the cost
   of short interval items. The overall retention could remain the same.
A: The proposition is very interesting. There are, however, some reasons
   against the proposed solution:
    - SuperMemo would not live up to the promise of assuring the selected
      level of knowledge retention. Especially at the beginning of the
      learning process, retention might be much lower than desired.
    - For high repetition numbers, optimal factors tend to be very low.
      Reducing the forgetting index might result in annoyingly small
      increase of the inter-repetition interval.
    - Increased forgetting index for low repetition numbers might make
      it difficult for a large number of items to lock in in the process.
      This would result in the excessive number of lapses, and an overall
      drop in the average E-factor.

Q: Why do E-factors decrease equally for grades 0 and 1?
A: Because of the fact that many users abuse the grades 0 and 1
   introducing a great deal of noise in the optimization process, as well
   as because of the low frequency with which grades 0 and 1 are likely
   to be used, their impact on the E-factor has been assumed to be equal,
   and implemented as such.

Q: Why isn't there an option Export, analogous to Import in Audio and 
   Image menus in editing windows?
A: You can easily export a file by using Audio:Edit or Image:Edit, and by
   choosing Save As in your sound or graphic editing application.

Q: Where can I get old shareware versions of SuperMemo 1 through 4?
A: You can get SuperMemo 2 from shareware houses, BBS'es, CD-ROMs, etc.
   throughout the world. For example, it is available from Simtel as well 
   as from Simtel MS-DOS Archive on CD-ROM (directory EDUCATIN, file 
   SM2.ZIP). SuperMemo 1, 3, and 4 have never been released as shareware. 
   There are no archive copies at SuperMemo World neither.

Q: How to get different font in questions and in answers?
A: (1) Select the font for questions, (2) click the answer field of
   any item, (3) press Ctrl+F, (4) choose the font for answers.

Q: Why is Spanish accented u replaced with number symbol when I type it?
A: #250 is used as a block marker in ITM files; therefore it cannot be
   used in the text of items. Future versions shall remedy this problem.

Q: I want to learn the English word "than". My item is illustrated 
   with an example: "he is higher than you". If I remember "than", but
   I forget the example, I respond with grade Good(4), and write down 
   the example on paper. Later I drill the examples on paper. Can I
   simplify the process with SuperMemo?
A: Yes. You can keep the example with "than", but it should not affect 
   the grade, and consequently, drilling. If you want to remember the 
   example, you MUST keep it in a separate item (use Item : Copy, delete 
   "than" from the duplicate, and choose Item : Memorize). Text-book 
   application of SuperMemo is certainly paper-free. Follow the rules, 
   and paper shall not be needed.

Q: How can I drill all memorized items before an exam? 
A: Use Miscellaneous : Random tests : Review memorized (SuperMemo 7.3
   or later)

Q: How can I review difficult items in my database? 
A: Use Miscellaneous : Random tests : Review leeches (SuperMemo 7.3
   or later)

Q: How can I do my repetitions ahead of time?
A: Use Mercy with Future on. Set Gathering period up to the last date
   you want to collect repetitions from (SuperMemo 7.4 or later)

Q: Is it possible to pass an item with a grade greater than four, and
   still have it in the final drill?
A: Yes. After giving the grade, choose Item : Drill or press 'D'
   (SuperMemo 7.4 and later)

Q: I do not like the fact that frequently items in the final drill come
   in the same sequence as they appear in the database. This often
   suggests the correct answer. How to avoid the casette tape effect in
   final drill?
A: (1) Choose Browse : Final drill (2) choose Move : Randomize, and (3)
   respond with Yes to "Rebuild final drill queue?" (SuperMemo 7.4 and
   later)

Q: Why are sounds in Audio Advanced English once associated with
   questions and once with answers?
A: Sounds are, if possible, linked to the subject of learning, which
   may be an active recall of the answer, or passive recognition of
   the question. If you do not like a particular association, you
   can either delete it, or replace with another one by means of
   Audio : Import from lexicon

Q: How can I review items scheduled for final drill?
A: Use Choose Browse : Final drill. If you want to randomly review the
   items, choose Browser : Random test on the final drill browser's
   menu. (SuperMemo 7.5 and later)

Q: How can I eliminate items from Random test?
A: Choose Item : Kick from test or press one of the following keys:
   'K', '4' or '5'. (SuperMemo 7.5 and later)

Q: How can I easily review items that I have already memorized?
A: Choose Browse : Memorized or Miscellaneous : Random tests : Memorized
   (SuperMemo 7.3 and later)

Q: Is it possible to review items with E-factor less than 1.5?
A: Yes. Use Browse : Leeches or Miscellanous : Random tests : Leeches.
   Set maximum E-factor to 1.5 (SuperMemo 7.3 and later)

Q: How can I list items with short intervals?
A: Choose Browse : Leeches and specify the maximum length of the
   interval. (SuperMemo 7.4 and later)

Q: Why does Garbage change the sequence of intact items, and remove all
   items from final drill?
A: This is no longer a problem in SuperMemo 7.3 and later.

Q: What is the meaning of FI_sup=22154 in Cases? (SuperMemo 6)
A: Total number of repetition cases in the cases matrix (FI_sup stands
   for Forgetting Index SUPport, i.e. no of cases used to compute the
   current value of the measured forgetting index)

Q: What is the meaning of vertical and horizontal axes in Analysis :
   Forgetting curves?
A: Vertical axis corresponds to retention expressed in percent.
   Horizontal axis corresponds to time expressed as U-factor.
   For example, for repetition=1 and E-factor=2.5, retention 95% at
   U-factor equal 5 means that after learning new items, you remember
   95% of them after 5 days on average (remember, that for repetition>1,
   U-factor cannot be interpreted as an interval)

Q: Why does SuperMemo ask me to delete items from final drill if it is
   older than 3 days? I often leave some hard items for later drill.
A: Drilling after the repetition date interferes with data collected by
   optimization algorithm; hence the recommendation to delete drills
   older than 3 days. However, you can ignore the recommendation by
   selecting No in response to "Delete final drill?"

Q: I have just started working with SuperMemo and noticed that on the
   day after memorizing items, I remember no more than 50% of them.
   My first optimal interval is, however, about 6 days (probably taken
   from "average learner"). I understand that I would have to wait over
   a week before SuperMemo notices that my retention is poor and reduces
   the first interval. Isn't there a method to make it shorten the first
   interval immediately?
A: The following algorithm should work for you:
   - on the first day, memorize the first batch of items
   - on the second day do the following:
      * set Miscellaneous : Options : Lapses to 3% (to ensure maximum
        retention at repetitions)
      * run Miscellaneous : Approximate (to compute new optimal factors
        for the newly set value of Lapses)
      * run Mercy with the following parameters:
         # Future - ON
         # rescheduling period - 1 day
         # gathering period - 100 days (to collect all items memorized on
           the first day)
        (this will schedule all memorized items for repetition on the
        second day)
      * repeat all outstanding items (to compute the optimum value of
        the first interval)
   The above actions would set the first interval for items memorized in
   the first day to one day, and the first interval of all successive items
   to the shortest value possible (according to your observation, probably
   also one day).

Q: I use SuperMemo on my brother's computer. After creating a new database,
   the optimization matrix and the forgetting curve were the same in my
   new database as in my brother's database. Why does not SuperMemo reset
   those things when creating a new database?
A: This solution was adopted to make it easier for the user to transfer
   learning parameters from earlier databases to newly created databases.
   For now, you can choose Tools : Reset and check Forgetting index,
   Optimal factor matrix and Retention matrix to reset the learning
   parameters. However, in the future, use Miscellaneous : Users to make
   sure that upon running SuperMemo, it does not open your brother's
   database automatically.
   Use Users : New, provide your data, quit SuperMemo, run it again,
   choose yourself as the user and choose File : New to create a new
   database. If you do not want to use Miscellaneous : Users, you can
   always run Tools : Reset : Reset database after File : New.

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

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       P.O. Box 1
       Poznan 48
       POLAND
       Tel: (48) 61 764066, 764073, 203157
       Fax: (48) 61 764073, 793435
