path: root/doc/gnosis.info

This is gnosis.info, produced by makeinfo version 7.1 from gnosis.texi.

INFO-DIR-SECTION Emacs misc features
START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
* Gnosis (γνῶσις): (gnosis). Spaced Repetition System For Note Taking And Self-Testing.
END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY


File: gnosis.info,  Node: Top,  Next: Introduction,  Up: (dir)

Gnosis User Manual
******************

Gnosis (γνῶσις), pronounced "noh-sis", _meaning knowledge in Greek_, is
a spaced repetition system implementation for note taking and self
testing.

This manual is written for Gnosis version 0.1.3, released on 2023-01-18.

   • Official manual: <https://thanosapollo.org/user-manual/gnosis>
   • Git repositories:
        • main: <https://git.thanosapollo.org/gnosis>
        • sourcehut (mirror): <https://git.sr.ht/~thanosapollo/gnosis>

* Menu:

* Introduction::
* Installation::
* Adding notes::
* Note Types::
* Customization::

-- 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::



File: gnosis.info,  Node: Introduction,  Next: Installation,  Prev: Top,  Up: Top

1 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.


File: gnosis.info,  Node: Installation,  Next: Adding notes,  Prev: Introduction,  Up: Top

2 Installation
**************

Gnosis is not currently available in any ELPA, the recommended way to
install gnosis is via straight.el:

   <https://github.com/radian-software/straight.el>

* Menu:

* Using straight.el: Using straightel.
* Installing manually from source::


File: gnosis.info,  Node: Using straightel,  Next: Installing manually from source,  Up: Installation

2.1 Using straight.el
=====================

If you have not installed straight.el, follow the instructions here:

   <https://github.com/radian-software/straight.el>

   Once you have installed straight.el, you can install gnosis using the
following emacs lisp snippet:

     (straight-use-package
      '(gnosis :type git
               :host nil
               :repo "https://git.thanosapollo.org/gnosis"))


File: gnosis.info,  Node: Installing manually from source,  Prev: Using straightel,  Up: Installation

2.2 Installing manually from source
===================================

Gnosis depends on the ‘compat’ & ‘emacsql’ libraries which are available
from MELPA.  Install them using ‘M-x package-install RET <package> RET’
or you may also install them manually from their repository.

   • Clone gnosis repository

          $ git clone https://git.thanosapollo.org/gnosis ~/.emacs.d/site-lisp/gnosis

   • Add this to your emacs configuration

          (add-to-list 'load-path "~/.emacs.d/site-lisp/gnosis")
          (load-file "~/.emacs.d/site-lisp/gnosis/gnosis.el")


File: gnosis.info,  Node: Adding notes,  Next: Note Types,  Prev: Installation,  Up: Top

3 Adding notes
**************

Creating notes for gnosis can be done interactively with: ‘M-x
gnosis-add-note’

   Advanced/Power users may prefer to use ‘gnosis-add-note--TYPE’

   Example:

     (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"))

   By default, the value of image and second image is nil.  Their value
must a string, the path of an image, from inside ‘gnosis-images-dir’.

   Each note type has a ‘gnosis-add-note-TYPE’ that is used
interactively & a "hidden function" ‘gnosis-add-note--TYPE’ that handles
all the logic.

   Every note type has this values in common:

   • ‘extra’ string value, extra information/explanation displayed after
     user-input
   • ‘image’ Image displayed _before_ user input
   • ‘second-image’ Image displayed _after_ user input

   The following sections will cover the important differences you have
to know when creating notes.


File: gnosis.info,  Node: Note Types,  Next: Customization,  Prev: Adding notes,  Up: Top

4 Note Types
************

* Menu:

* Cloze::
* Basic Type::
* Double::
* MCQ (Multiple Choice Question)::
* y-or-n::


File: gnosis.info,  Node: Cloze,  Next: Basic Type,  Up: Note Types

4.1 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 ‘M-x gnosis-add-note’ and
selecting ‘Cloze’, the question should be formatted like this:

     {c1:Cyproheptadine} is a(n) {c2:5-HT2} receptor antagonist used to
     treat {c2:serotonin syndrome}

   You can also format clozes like Anki if you prefer; e.g
‘{{c1::Cyproheptadine}}’

   • For each 'cX'-tag there will be created a cloze type note, the
     above example creates 2 cloze type notes.

   • Each 'cX' tag can have multiple clozes, but each cloze must be a
     *UNIQUE* word (or a unique combination of words) in given note.


File: gnosis.info,  Node: Basic Type,  Next: Double,  Prev: Cloze,  Up: Note Types

4.2 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.


File: gnosis.info,  Node: Double,  Next: MCQ (Multiple Choice Question),  Prev: Basic Type,  Up: Note Types

4.3 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.


File: gnosis.info,  Node: MCQ (Multiple Choice Question),  Next: y-or-n,  Prev: Double,  Up: Note Types

4.4 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


File: gnosis.info,  Node: y-or-n,  Prev: MCQ (Multiple Choice Question),  Up: Note Types

4.5 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 ‘gnosis-add-note--y-or-n’, note that
the ANSWER must be either 121 (‘y’) or 110 (‘n’), as those correspond to
the character values used to represent them.


File: gnosis.info,  Node: Customization,  Prev: Note Types,  Up: Top

5 Customization
***************

* Menu:

* Gnosis Algorithm Initial Interval::
* Gnosis Algorithm Easiness Factor::
* Gnosis Algorithm Forgetting Factor::


File: gnosis.info,  Node: Gnosis Algorithm Initial Interval,  Next: Gnosis Algorithm Easiness Factor,  Up: Customization

5.1 Gnosis Algorithm Initial Interval
=====================================

‘gnosis-algorithm-interval’ is a list of 2 numbers, representing the
first two initial intervals for successful reviews.

   Example:

     (setq gnosis-algorithm-interval '(1 3))

   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.


File: gnosis.info,  Node: Gnosis Algorithm Easiness Factor,  Next: Gnosis Algorithm Forgetting Factor,  Prev: Gnosis Algorithm Initial Interval,  Up: Customization

5.2 Gnosis Algorithm Easiness Factor
====================================

‘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:

     (setq gnosis-algorithm-ef '(0.3 0.3 1.3))


File: gnosis.info,  Node: Gnosis Algorithm Forgetting Factor,  Prev: Gnosis Algorithm Easiness Factor,  Up: Customization

5.3 Gnosis Algorithm Forgetting Factor
======================================

‘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:

     (setq gnosis-algorithm-ff 0.5)



Tag Table:
Node: Top246
Node: Introduction1249
Node: Installation1729
Node: Using straightel2098
Node: Installing manually from source2614
Node: Adding notes3303
Node: Note Types4728
Node: Cloze4940
Node: Basic Type5913
Node: Double6191
Node: MCQ (Multiple Choice Question)6537
Node: y-or-n6946
Node: Customization7372
Node: Gnosis Algorithm Initial Interval7601
Node: Gnosis Algorithm Easiness Factor8173
Node: Gnosis Algorithm Forgetting Factor9158

End Tag Table


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