Mac Photoshop Flashcard Trick
sparechange
October 04, 2007, 10:29 PM posted in General DiscussionThis may be slightly off-topic, but I'm totally geekin' out over my accomplishment, so I must tell the world.
I have created a series of "desktop flashcards" on my Mac (at work) using Photoshop CS3's ability to batch-export graphics with variable data. This is part of my continued efforts to increase my exposure to the language.
I started by creating a list of vocabulary (using simplified, traditional, pinyin, and English) in an Excel spreadsheet, and then exporting it as a tab-separated text file. Next, I created a template in Photoshop, and pointed it to my data file. I then exported the graphics and converted them to JPGs. Finally, I pointed my desktop in OS X to the folder with all the images in it, and told it to change backgrounds randomly every minute.
I can already see an improvement in my ability to recognize the characters, which was something I was struggling with before.
I'm such a nerd. :-)
maxiewawa
October 05, 2007, 01:26 AMI think I speak for a lot of CPod users when I say "哈？“ Sounds cool though. I make up flashcards as jpgs and put them onto my iPod for review later. I have to do each one manually though... choose the text cursor, click in the middle, type in the word, change font, type in pin-yin... it's time consuming but it helps. Also, the fact that it takes a long time means that while I'm making them I'm reviewing vocab.
sparechange
October 05, 2007, 02:25 AMmaxiewawa: You're exactly right. At first, I was reluctant to take the time to create the vocab list. But then I realized that doing so would force me to focus on each character or word individually. And now, seeing the images all day really helps me to "get to know" the characters. I'm actually leaving the English translations off for now so I can get used to thinking in Mandarin. I end up going to the dictionary a lot, but it still adds to the interaction.
MexicoBob
October 05, 2007, 03:10 PMAh Grasshopper, now you know the magic of flashcards. The learning is in the doing :)
wildyaks
October 06, 2007, 08:53 AMthis sounds very, very time-consuming... I wish I had the computer gifts needed for such tasks. In the past I used to make my own flash cards and walk around with them. That was a lot of work, too. But as you say, a lot of learning happens in the doing. Great job!
sparechange
October 07, 2007, 10:02 PMwildyaks: Thanks! Initially, it took some time because I didn't know what I was doing (trial and error). But now that I have the process down, it doesn't add too much time to my normal study routine (if you can call it that). I try to make a habit of filling in a few new vocab words every lesson, and then export new graphics every week or two.
RonInDC
October 04, 2007, 10:58 PMpretty cool. nice job.