Index

Memorize is a freeware program by Daniel Lipton.  Its main purpose is to help you memorize information where there is a one-to-one correspondence.  An analogy would be using flash cards.  Memorize is good for remembering words in a foreign language or the elements of the periodic table.

Conditions on using this program

The Story Behind the program

Quick Tutorial

Loading A List

Saving A List

Entering / Editing A List

Perform The Test

Test Options

Show A Record


Quick Tutorial

First, you need to make a list.  Click on Enter / Edit List.  A window will pop up.  Enter the first part of your entry in the "word" box.  Then press tab.  The curser will automatically move to the "meaning" box.  Enter the corresponding entry and then press tab again.  The "Add Item" Button will appear highlighted.  Press the enter key (or click on the "Add Item" button) and your entry will be added to the list at the bottom.  If you ever want to change an entry click on it in the box in the bottom.  When you are done with the list, click on the "Done" button.

At this point, you may want to save the list in a file for future use.  Click on "Save A List".  This will bring up an easy  dialog box.  Type in the name you want to save the file as and click "Save".

Click on "Perform Test" now.  This will bring up another window.  In either the "Word" box or the "Meaning" box, one part of an entry will appear.  Type in the corresponding part and press return or click "OK".  A record will be kept at the bottom.  If you want to start from scratch, them click on "Clear Record".  Choosing "Quit Test" will stop the test but it won't destroy your record.  It will be updated if you decide to perform another test.


List
A list is the series of entries you want to memorize.  It consists of a word and its meaning.


Conditions

Memorize is freeware.  That means that you don't have to pay for it.  However, if you use the program, I would appreciate you sending me e-mail telling me so and what you think of it.  I should be at dlipton@tufts.edu for a while.  If you want, I'll send you the Visual Basic source code.


Load A List

You can load any list as long as it consists of a word on one line and then it's meaning on the next, a word and the meaning, etc.  There shouldn't be any extraneous lines.  To be safe, just edit a list in Memorize and save it there.  If you load a list, then the one currently in memory will be deleted.


Save A List

Saving a list will save it in a file as specified in Load A List.


Enter / Edit A List

Choose Enter / Edit A List to create or modify a list.  It is designed so you just enter a word, press tab, enter the meaning, press tab, and then press enter to add an entry to a list.  Click on an entry in the list on the bottom to change it.


Perform A Test

When you do a test over and over again, the information tends to stick in your head.  This is especially true if you are presented the information in a random fashion so you don't remember patterns.

Enter the corresponding entry in the box where the cursor is blinking and the press return or click "OK".  A box will then pop up which will tell you if the answer is correct.  Press enter to get rid of the box and answer another question.  "Clear Record" will delete your record of correct and incorrect answers.  "Quit Test" will stop the test but if you start it again, then the record will remain.


Test Options

Random Query - The entries will be asked in a random order.

In-Order Query - The entries will be asked in the order in which they were entered.

Ask for Meanings - Only the meanings will be asked for.

Ask for Words - Only the words will be asked for.

Ask for Words and Meanings - Words and meaning will be asked for randomly.

Show Correct Answers - If you incorrectly answer a question, then the answer will be provided.


Show Record

Show Record will produce a record of all the words, meanings, the number of times they have been asked, the number of times you have correctly answered the question and the percentage.  You may choose which order you wish to view them in.


The story behind the program.

It was a Saturday, much like any other.  Suddenly a bolt of realization rippled through me leaving fear in its wake.  In two days I had to memorize over 200 french verbs.  What was I going to do?  Luckily I had partially written a program, much like the one in front of you, on my handy Apple IIGS.  After a few hours I finished up the program, entered the list of french words and meanings, and started studying.  I don't know about you, but the only thing that helps me remember vast quantities of excruciatingly dull information is drilling it into my head.  The amount of time I spent going over those words escapes me, but I got a %100 on that test.

This program can help you remember not just foreign words, but anything where there is a one-to-one relationship.  Best of all, its free!