Spaced repetitions only work if you use them every day with minimal or no breaks. If the algorithm actually does the recall probability very well like FSRS does, you will keep failing the cards if you don't do them consistently. I learned the hard way where I almost forgot like 80% of my spanish deck that I was certain that I will be able to retire and recall it. But nope, even that word that you felt was rock solid in your memory is gonna fade, so just trust the algorithm.
Hashcards: A plain-text spaced repetition system
71–80 of 198 posts
Re: Hashcards: A plain-text spaced repetition system
#72I think that the real power of spaced repetition is not in flashcard applications like this. It is in behavior modification. Let's take a real example to show how this works. August 19, 2025. My wife called me in to help her decide what to do about a dentist that she thought was ripping her off. A couple of quick suggestions later, and she went to being mad at me about not having heard the problem through before tryi…
So cool. Would love to hear more - What app do you use? How often do you clear your inbox and how long does it take?
Re: Hashcards: A plain-text spaced repetition system
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
I feel you, I totally do. I get wanting to vent and wanting to be heard but solutions should come first. Honestly, when I hear people annoyed about offering solutions I get their need to engage with them differently but I also kind of believe they have a dysfunction about how they relate to the world.
This attitude reminds me of another phrase that I've internalized. Choosing to be right, is choosing to be alone. Whatever you choose to put above trying to get along with others, limits who can be part of your group. In the extreme, you will feel absolutely justified. And yet be absolutely alone. As an example, language communities that focus on being able to find the ideal way to program (eg Lisp) tend to splinter.…
I understand the need to engage people at the emotional level and meeting them where they're at. I just refuse to label this behavior as being constructive, desirable, something to cultivate and protect.
I see this "complainy" way of engaging as unproductive and i treat it the same way I would treat my kid when having a tantrum, I accept it, I listen to him, I am understanding of his state and his emotions, but I also nudge, coach and hope they develop healthier and more constructive ways of dealing with their problems.
Re: Hashcards: A plain-text spaced repetition system
#74> First, [Anki] is ugly to look at, particularly the review screen. You can customise note types with CSS and Javascript, which means that you can make cards look however you want.
"Anki" is ugly. not anki note
Yes but the article said "particularly the review screen". 95% of the review screen is made up of your card, which you can customise.
Re: Hashcards: A plain-text spaced repetition system
#75I think that the real power of spaced repetition is not in flashcard applications like this. It is in behavior modification. Let's take a real example to show how this works. August 19, 2025. My wife called me in to help her decide what to do about a dentist that she thought was ripping her off. A couple of quick suggestions later, and she went to being mad at me about not having heard the problem through before tryi…
I love this example because the correct, wise approach is so alien to my mind that I do not know how to respond to such situations. I am a professional problem solver, you described a problem, yet you do not want it solved? Just talk about it being annoying, like an immutable facet of the universe? Should I retort about my grievances with gravity making roof repairs a bear?
Yeah it's insulting. It would be very long and boring to list all the things I thought of and discarded, just to ward off such attempts at help. If someone doesn't ask your advice, don't give it.
Re: Hashcards: A plain-text spaced repetition system
#76I think that the real power of spaced repetition is not in flashcard applications like this. It is in behavior modification. Let's take a real example to show how this works. August 19, 2025. My wife called me in to help her decide what to do about a dentist that she thought was ripping her off. A couple of quick suggestions later, and she went to being mad at me about not having heard the problem through before tryi…
Love this example. I started putting my Kindle highlights in the SRS—no prompt or anything, just the quoted text verbatim—and the effortless periodic review essentially burned the quotes in my memory for easy recall in moments when they were appropriate.
Re: Hashcards: A plain-text spaced repetition system
#77Earlier quoted context omitted.
I feel you, I totally do. I get wanting to vent and wanting to be heard but solutions should come first. Honestly, when I hear people annoyed about offering solutions I get their need to engage with them differently but I also kind of believe they have a dysfunction about how they relate to the world.
This attitude reminds me of another phrase that I've internalized. Choosing to be right, is choosing to be alone. Whatever you choose to put above trying to get along with others, limits who can be part of your group. In the extreme, you will feel absolutely justified. And yet be absolutely alone. As an example, language communities that focus on being able to find the ideal way to program (eg Lisp) tend to splinter.…
I often hear a different version of that quote: You can be right, or you can be happy.
Re: Hashcards: A plain-text spaced repetition system
#78Another plain text option is
David Miserak's GoCard.
https://github.com/DavidMiserak/GoCard
Re: Hashcards: A plain-text spaced repetition system
#79Does anyone outside of people in school or language learners use these type of tools in any interesting ways?
For maths, but not only:
https://cognitivemedium.com/srs-mathematics
Re: Hashcards: A plain-text spaced repetition system
#80>I have learned that the biggest bottleneck ... is just entering cards into the system. Couldn't agree more. I think I would take this opinion and go even further -- we shouldn't be making cards fully by hand much, if at all, anymore. AI-assisted card creation is to me clearly the future, and already AIs are good enough for this to work well.
But making the card actually help in forging a memory of it.