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Show HN: Ditch Black Text to Read Faster, Easier

beelinereader.com

181–190 of 273 posts

Re: Show HN: Ditch Black Text to Read Faster, Easier

#183
post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We are absolutely working on more native implementations. This is just the first iteration!

What about a JavaScript version sites could use as a library? (My personal website is text-heavy and might benefit from a very subtle version of this, but I can't A/B test a browser extension.)

Get in touch with me through the email link on the website. We have code that makes this easy.

Re: Show HN: Ditch Black Text to Read Faster, Easier

#184
Hmmm. Is it possible to try this: Make a version that creates a black to grey gradient for every sentence. The beginning of every sentence starts out black and gradually turns grey at the end of the sentence. Then try it switched. Make it start grey and turn black. Test both.

Just wondering what the result would be. Out of curiosity.

Re: Show HN: Ditch Black Text to Read Faster, Easier

#186
post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I like spreeder: http://www.spreeder.com/ Set the chunk size to three for best effect. Just gradually increase it each time, and also try using it occasionally with the speed far too fast. You'll get used to subvocalizing less, and reading multiple words at once. Of course, for complex texts like the ones you read, it's natural to read much slower. I read 600 WPM for most internet articles, but I'm sure I wouldn't re…

Since I don't find RSVP mentioned in the comments here: That technique is called Rapid Serial Visual Presentation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_Serial_Visual_Presentatio... (The Wikipedia article should mention saccades ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saccade ) but strangely it doesn't.) I wrote an RSVP reader in the mid-to-late 90s in QuickBasic. I'll have to see if I can dig up that code. :)

That's odd. I wrote an RSVP reader in the exact same timeframe in RealBASIC, for a Cornell Psych class (I got an A).

I am still annoyed that things like the Kindle don't have that mode.

Re: Show HN: Ditch Black Text to Read Faster, Easier

#187
post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I cannot understand why it would slow you down, why do you think it might? Anyway, my experience from this is that it was much easier to differentiate, parse, and scan with the ugly colours (43% faster apparently). However, my natural slowness in reading is in both understanding and committing to memory. I get the feeling that this did not help much with regard to this..

I cannot understand why it would slow you down, why do you think it might? For me, I found the changing color to be too distracting. My eye was constantly being drawn away from the text I was reading to another color on a line below or above. It may be worth noting that I only have one eye, and it's not a very good one - 20/100 visual acuity with about a 15deg. visual field.

I slowed down considerably as well. I found myself rereading the same lines over and over for no apparent reason. After a very short time I started to get a mild headache as well. Of course, that could also be the fact that it's getting late but I usually read for 30 minutes before going to bed.

Re: Show HN: Ditch Black Text to Read Faster, Easier

#189
post #82
post #27

>A study designed and carried out at Stanford University showed an average reading speed increase of over 10 percent for first time users of BeeLine Reader. Many seasoned users experience speed increases of 25 to 30 percent! So why isn't the study linked? Regardless of whether or not the claims are true, who in the hell decided for red and blue for the demo's default? The blues/grays themes look okay. IMO, saturated…

I took their test and came out 2% faster (likely statistical noise more than actual improvement). Regardless, I attribute the improvement to the obscure content in the non beeline reading passage. I'm curious what others experienced?

I had a similar thought when I read the texts. The first (b&w) text was just harder to comprehend due to esoteric words, lack of thought direction, and several personas. I couldn't understand what author was trying to say. The second (colored) text was about a female teacher and had a common vocabulary and a straight-forward theme with one character.

According to them I read 11% faster. Although I guessed on 2 out 3 questions, compared to knowing all 3 from b&w text.

Thus, I call BS on their testing experience. These two texts are way too different. And picking an easier one for beeline text does a disservice to this hopefully legit fast reading method.

Re: Show HN: Ditch Black Text to Read Faster, Easier

#190
Could work. Look at how kids read initally, they use a ruler to keep track of what line they are at. Even some teenagers do this or adults with dyslexia.

I wonder if it would hamper your normal reading abilities if you start reading like this most of the time from young age.

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