\input texinfo @c -*- texinfo -*- @c %**start of header @setfilename gnosis.info @settitle Gnosis User Manual @documentencoding UTF-8 @documentlanguage en @set MAINTAINERSITE @uref{https://thanosapollo.org,maintainer webpage} @set MAINTAINER Thanos Apollo @set MAINTAINEREMAIL @email{public@thanosapollo.org} @set MAINTAINERCONTACT @uref{mailto:public@thanosapollo.org,contact the maintainer} @c %**end of header @dircategory Emacs misc features @direntry * Gnosis (γνῶσις): (gnosis). Spaced Repetition System For Note Taking And Self-Testing. @end direntry @finalout @titlepage @title Gnosis User Manual @author Thanos Apollo (@email{public@@thanosapollo.org}) @end titlepage @ifnottex @node Top @top Gnosis User Manual Gnosis (γνῶσις), pronounced ``noh-sis'', @emph{meaning knowledge in Greek}, is a spaced repetition system implementation for note taking and self testing. @noindent This manual is written for Gnosis version 0.1.3, released on 2023-01-18. @itemize @item Official manual: @uref{https://thanosapollo.org/user-manual/gnosis} @item Git repositories: @itemize @item main: @uref{https://git.thanosapollo.org/gnosis} @item sourcehut (mirror): @uref{https://git.sr.ht/~thanosapollo/gnosis} @end itemize @end itemize @insertcopying @end ifnottex @menu * Introduction:: * Installation:: * Adding notes:: * Note Types:: * Customization:: @detailmenu --- The Detailed Node Listing --- Installation * Using straight.el: Using straightel. * Installing manually from source:: Note Types * Cloze:: * Basic Type:: * Double:: * MCQ (Multiple Choice Question):: * y-or-n:: Customization * Gnosis Algorithm Initial Interval:: * Gnosis Algorithm Easiness Factor:: * Gnosis Algorithm Forgetting Factor:: @end detailmenu @end menu @node Introduction @chapter Introduction Gnosis is a spaced repetition note taking and self testing system, where notes are taken in a Question/Answer/Explanation-like format & reviewed in spaced intervals. Gnosis can help you better understand and retain the material by encouraging active engagement. It also provides a clear structure for your notes & review sessions, making it easier to study. @node Installation @chapter Installation Gnosis is not currently available in any ELPA, the recommended way to install gnosis is via straight.el: @uref{https://github.com/radian-software/straight.el} @menu * Using straight.el: Using straightel. * Installing manually from source:: @end menu @node Using straightel @section Using straight.el If you have not installed straight.el, follow the instructions here: @uref{https://github.com/radian-software/straight.el} Once you have installed straight.el, you can install gnosis using the following emacs lisp snippet: @lisp (straight-use-package '(gnosis :type git :host nil :repo "https://git.thanosapollo.org/gnosis")) @end lisp @node Installing manually from source @section Installing manually from source Gnosis depends on the @code{compat} & @code{emacsql} libraries which are available from MELPA@. Install them using @code{M-x package-install RET RET} or you may also install them manually from their repository. @itemize @item Clone gnosis repository @example $ git clone https://git.thanosapollo.org/gnosis ~/.emacs.d/site-lisp/gnosis @end example @item Add this to your emacs configuration @lisp (add-to-list 'load-path "~/.emacs.d/site-lisp/gnosis") (load-file "~/.emacs.d/site-lisp/gnosis/gnosis.el") @end lisp @end itemize @node Adding notes @chapter Adding notes Creating notes for gnosis can be done interactively with: @samp{M-x gnosis-add-note} Advanced/Power users may prefer to use @samp{gnosis-add-note--TYPE} Example: @lisp (gnosis-add-note--basic :deck "DECK-NAME" :question "Your Question" :answer "Answer" :hint "hint" :extra "Explanation" :image "Image displayed before user-input" ;; Optional :second-image "Image displayed after user-input" ;; Optional :tags '("tag1" "tag2")) @end lisp By default, the value of image and second image is nil. Their value must a string, the path of an image, from inside @code{gnosis-images-dir}. Each note type has a @samp{gnosis-add-note-TYPE} that is used interactively & a ``hidden function'' @samp{gnosis-add-note--TYPE} that handles all the logic. Every note type has this values in common: @itemize @item @code{extra} string value, extra information/explanation displayed after user-input @item @code{image} Image displayed @emph{before} user input @item @code{second-image} Image displayed @emph{after} user input @end itemize The following sections will cover the important differences you have to know when creating notes. @node Note Types @chapter Note Types @node Cloze @section Cloze A cloze note type is a format where you create sentences or paragraphs with ``missing'' words. Almost all note types can be written as a cloze type in a way. Ideal type for memorizing definitions. To get the most out of gnosis, you have to become familiar with cloze type notes. You can create a cloze note type using @samp{M-x gnosis-add-note} and selecting @code{Cloze}, the question should be formatted like this: @quotation @{c1:Cyproheptadine@} is a(n) @{c2:5-HT2@} receptor antagonist used to treat @{c2:serotonin syndrome@} @end quotation You can also format clozes like Anki if you prefer; e.g @code{@{@{c1::Cyproheptadine@}@}} @itemize @item For each `cX`-tag there will be created a cloze type note, the above example creates 2 cloze type notes. @item Each `cX` tag can have multiple clozes, but each cloze must be a @strong{UNIQUE} word (or a unique combination of words) in given note. @end itemize @node Basic Type @section Basic Type Basic note type is a simple question/answer note, where the user first sees a ``main'' part, which is usually a question, and he is prompted to input the answer. @node Double @section Double Double note type, is essentially a note that generates 2 basic notes. The second one reverses question/answer. Ideal for vocabulary acquisition, creating vocabulary/translation notes for a foreign language. @node MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) @section MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) MCQ note type, consists of a ``stem'' part that is displayed, and ``options'' for the user to select the right one. Answer must be the index NUMBER of the correct answer from OPTIONS@. Ideal for self testing & simulating exams @node y-or-n @section y-or-n y-or-n (yes or no) note type, user is presented with a question and prompted to enter character ``y'' or ``n''. When using the hidden function @samp{gnosis-add-note--y-or-n}, note that the ANSWER must be either 121 (@code{y}) or 110 (@code{n}), as those correspond to the character values used to represent them. @node Customization @chapter Customization @node Gnosis Algorithm Initial Interval @section Gnosis Algorithm Initial Interval @samp{gnosis-algorithm-interval} is a list of 2 numbers, representing the first two initial intervals for successful reviews. Example: @lisp (setq gnosis-algorithm-interval '(1 3)) @end lisp Using the above example, after first successfully reviewing a note, you will see it again tomorrow, if you successfully review said note again, the next review will be after 3 days. @node Gnosis Algorithm Easiness Factor @section Gnosis Algorithm Easiness Factor @samp{gnosis-algorithm-ef} is a list that consists of 3 items. The first item is the increase factor, used to increase the easiness factor upon successful review. Second item refers to the decrease factor, used to decrease the easiness factor upon an unsuccessful review. The third item is the initial total easiness factor, used to calculate the next interval. The basic's of how this is used is that it's being multiplied with the last interval upon a successful review, e.g if you last reviewed a note 6 days ago, and the easiness factor of this note is 2.0, your next interval would be 6 * 2.0 & the total easiness factor would be 2.0 + increase-factor as well. Example: @lisp (setq gnosis-algorithm-ef '(0.3 0.3 1.3)) @end lisp @node Gnosis Algorithm Forgetting Factor @section Gnosis Algorithm Forgetting Factor @samp{gnosis-algorithm-ff} is a floating number below 1. It's used to calculate the next interval upon an unsuccessful review, by being multiplied with last interval, if for a note with a value of last-interval of 6 days and a ff of 0.5, upon an unsuccessful review the next interval will be 6 * 0.5 For example: @lisp (setq gnosis-algorithm-ff 0.5) @end lisp @bye