SuperMemo 18 Help - User contributions [en]

Postpone

2020-10-24T01:30:29Z

SuperMemoUser: /* Scope tab */

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'''[[Learn menu | Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Postpone|Postpone]]''' can be used to move [[Glossary:Outstanding_element|outstanding material]] review to a later time whenever you cannot cope with your daily load of repetitions. This option is particularly useful in heavily overloaded [[incremental reading]]. To fully understand the importance of '''Postpone''', you need to master the concept of [[incremental reading]] first.

== Why is Postpone important? ==

Before the advent of [[incremental reading]] in SuperMemo, you had two extreme alternatives:

# '''traditional learning''' with high volume of the learning material and dismal [[Glossary:Retention|retention]]. This learning can be called High In - High Out (HIHO) as high volumes of knowledge processed on the input are accompanied by equally high volumes of knowledge on the "output" (i.e. lost out to forgetting)
# '''SuperMemo''' with a small volume of strategic material remembered for years with a [[Glossary:Forgetting_index| predetermined level of knowledge retention]] (LILO - Low knowledge input with low forgetting outflow)

Neither alternative provides a complete solution to the problem of forgetting. The balance between the two alternatives was left to the student. The optimum strategy was to use traditional learning to sift the strategic material, and then to memorize mission-critical material with SuperMemo.

The confinement of SuperMemo to strategic high-retention material was a powerful inhibitory force against SuperMemo's universal adoption:

# The process of selecting the strategic knowledge was not automated
# The student had to type in most of the learned knowledge to the program
# The student had to master [http://super-memory.com/articles/20rules.htm knowledge structuring skills] to make the memorized knowledge truly applicable
# [[Glossary:Review|Passive review]] was discounted as ineffective and was not used as a knowledge prioritization tool
# [[Glossary:Retention|Retention]] was programmable solely via the [[Glossary:Forgetting_index|forgetting index]] (within 3-20% forgetting rate)
# Accumulation of [[Glossary:Outstanding_element|outstanding material]] after a short break was listed as the number one cause of users dropping SuperMemo for good

[[Incremental reading]] bridges the worlds of traditional learning and that of SuperMemo by providing a fluent transition between all priority levels starting from quick review, to repeated [[Glossary:Review|passive review]], to [[Glossary:Review|active review]], and to active recall at all levels of the [[Glossary:Forgetting_index|forgetting index]] down to 3% (i.e. nearly 99% recall rate). [[Incremental reading]] also includes an anti-[[Glossary:Overload|overload]] option: '''Postpone''' that blurs the concept of the must-do [[Glossary:Outstanding_element|outstanding material]] that had levied a heavy toll on the ranks of SuperMemo users.

Before SuperMemo 2002, [[incremental reading]] did not automate the process of "prioritizing by overflow". In other words, high volumes of learning would force the student to manually reschedule learning in [[Glossary:Branch|branches]] or [[Glossary:Element_subset|subsets]] of lower priority. Manual rescheduling of the material was necessary to protect core knowledge from a dramatic drop in [[Glossary:Retention|retention]]. Substantially reduced [[Glossary:Retention|retention]] slows down the learning process not only via the [http://super-memory.com/articles/theory.htm ''forgetting index vs. acquisition rate''] relationship, but also through unraveling of the [[incremental reading]] process where the new knowledge is built on a shaky foundation of what has been learned earlier. In addition, the flow of thought in incrementally read articles becomes disrupted if the core knowledge [[Glossary:Retention|retention]] is not protected.

SuperMemo 2002 introduced '''Postpone''' to make it possible to reschedule lower priority material with a keystroke. The student could now painstakingly work out [[Glossary:Priority|priorities]] for individual [[Glossary:Element_subset|subsets]] or [[Glossary:Branch|branches]] of knowledge and then apply these easily on a daily basis.

SuperMemo 2006 dramatically simplified the process of handling material overflow by introducing the [[Glossary:Auto-postpone|auto-postpone]] option ('''[[Learn menu |Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Postpone|Postpone]] : Auto-postpone'''). With [[Glossary:Auto-postpone|auto-postpone]], you only need to define the [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] of your [[Glossary:Element|elements]]. You can safely leave all [[#Parameters tab|postpone parameters]] in their default settings as these are now primarily used only to define the degree of postpone, which only defines the size of the pool of the low priority material used in interspersing the repetition queue without affecting the high priority material. In simple terms, you do not need to understand '''Postpone''' to use it effectively in [[incremental reading]]. Just leave '''[[Learn menu | Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Postpone|Postpone]] : Auto-postpone''' checked. You can re-visit the subject if [[Glossary:Auto-postpone|auto-postpone]] does not sufficiently reduce the workload in your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]].

<div class="bs-callout bs-callout-warning">
'''Warning!''' Each time you use '''Postpone''' you depart from your chosen level of [[Glossary:Retention|knowledge retention]]! Before you turn '''[[Glossary:Auto-postpone|auto-postpone]]''' make sure that your material is well prioritized. Only then you will be sure that only low-priority elements suffer more forgetting.
</div>

To see the effects of rescheduling on the [[Glossary:Forgetting_index|forgetting index]] see: [http://super-memory.com/articles/theory.htm#FI_Recovery Theoretical aspects of learning] (forgetting index recovery figure).

== Postpone dialog ==

The '''Postpone''' dialog box presented below includes three tabs: '''[[#Scope_tab|Scope]]''', [[#Parameters_tab|'''Parameters''']], and [[#Adjust_tab|'''Adjust''']].

=== Scope tab ===

The '''Scope''' tab settings are mostly done automatically for you depending on the context in which you use '''Postpone'''. The '''Scope''' tab makes it possible to define the degree to which [[Glossary:Item|items]] and/or [[Glossary:Topic|topics]] are postponed in the selected [[Glossary:Element_subset|subset]], and which [[Glossary:Item|items]] and/or [[Glossary:Topic|topics]] are exempt from rescheduling. Once you define '''Scope''' you can save the new setting with '''Scope : Settings : Save'''. Later you can restore the setting by using '''Settings : Name''' box.

'''Skip the following number of top priority elements''' determines how many [[Glossary:Element|elements]] should be left after the '''Postpone'''. If you choose ''50'', '''Postpone''' will first execute a standard postpone procedure, and then it will postpone more, if needed, until only 50 [[Glossary:Element|elements]] remain un-postponed. This option is useful in '''[[Glossary:Auto-postpone|auto-postpone]]''' if you want to ensure that you inherit no more than a given number of [[Glossary:Outstanding_element|outstanding elements]] from prior days of learning.

<div class="center">
[[Image:Postpone outstanding elements Scope.jpg|center|800px|SuperMemo: The Scope page of the Postpone outstanding elements dialog box]]
<blockquote>'''''Figure:''' A typical use of '''Postpone''' in the [[browser]]: you can select the number of [[Glossary:Element|elements]] to remain [[Glossary:Outstanding_element|outstanding]] (here 50), and click '''Postpone'''''</blockquote>
</div>

=== Parameters tab ===

You need to understand the '''Parameters''' tab if you want to customize the degree of delay in rescheduling.

'''Important!''' Some parameters must fall into a certain valid range. SuperMemo will correct those for you without warning. For example, if you set the minimum delay interval for items as 100 days, SuperMemo will change it to 30 days to make sure that you cannot force items to get a review chance at frequencies less than once per month. Naturally, other parameters permitting, less critical items might get delayed more (as determined by the '''Maximum interval''' for items).

<div class="center">
[[Image:Postpone outstanding elements Parameters.jpg|center|800px|SuperMemo: The Parameters tab of the Postpone outstanding elements dialog box]]
<blockquote>'''''Figure:''' Exemplary settings of '''Postpone''' parameters. '''Delay factor''' of 10 for [[Glossary:Topic|topics]] means that [[Glossary:Topic|topic]] [[Glossary:Interval|intervals]] will be multiplied by 10, but will not be longer than 199 days, or shorter than 33 days. [[Glossary:Interval|Intervals]] beyond 2500 days will qualify for a postpone skip (i.e. those [[Glossary:Element|elements]] will not be postponed, unless forced by the '''Method''' used on the '''Scope''' page). Postpone skip will also affect: [[Glossary:Item|items]] with the [[Glossary:Forgetting_index|forgetting index]] less than 6, [[Glossary:Topic|topics]] with [[Glossary:A-Factor|A-Factors]] less than 1.01, [[Glossary:Element|elements]] that have been postponed more than 250 times, and [[Glossary:Item|items]] with [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] greater than 3.5% (i.e. falling into the 0% to 3.5% range) and [[Glossary:Topic|topics]] with [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] greater than 0.0065%.''</blockquote>
</div>

'''Delay factor''' determines how much [[Glossary:Element|elements]] should be delayed. For example, if you choose the delay of 1.1 (10%) on an [[Glossary:Element|element]] with the [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] of 100 days, it will be delayed by ten days, i.e. rescheduled to the [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] of 110 days. '''Postpone''' will always increase [[Glossary:Interval|intervals]] by no less than one day from the present day. This way, all [[Glossary:Item|items]] on which '''Postpone''' is executed fall out of the [[Glossary:Outstanding_element|outstanding]] subset.

'''Maximum interval''' puts a ceiling on the length of the delay interval. For example, if you choose the delay of 1.1 on an [[Glossary:Element|element]] with the [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] of 200 days, and the maximum [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] is 5 days, the [[Glossary:Element|element]] will be delayed only by 5 days (instead of the 20 days produced by multiplying the original [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] by the delay factor).

'''Minimum interval''' puts a floor on the length of the delay interval. For example, if you set it to 3, all delayed [[Glossary:Element|elements]] will be delayed by no less than 3 days.

'''<span id="Skip_conditions">Skip conditions</span>''' determine which elements will be exempt from delay.
<blockquote>
*if you check '''Skip items''' or '''Skip topics''', [[Glossary:Item|items]] or [[Glossary:Topic|topics]] (respectively) will not be rescheduled
*'''Interval beyond''' will exempt [[Glossary:Element|elements]] with [[Glossary:Interval|intervals]] longer than a selected value. For example, if you set '''Interval beyond''' to 320 days, no [[Glossary:Element|elements]] with [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] longer than 320 days will be rescheduled. This can help you avoid infinite postpones. Once the [[Glossary:Element|element]] is postponed beyond a given [[Glossary:Interval|interval]], it will automatically enter the core of [[Glossary:Element|elements]] that will not be postponed
*'''Forgetting index below''' makes it possible to determine the level of the [[Glossary:Forgetting_index|forgetting index]] that will prevent [[Glossary:Item|items]] from being postponed. For example, if you set '''Forgetting index below''' to 5%, [[Glossary:Item|items]] with the [[Glossary:Forgetting_index|forgetting index]] of 3% and 4% will not be rescheduled. This way you can make sure that the most important [[Glossary:Item|items]] in your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] are protected from a drop in [[Glossary:Retention|retention]]
*'''A-Factor below''' is analogous to '''Forgetting index below'''. The only difference is that you will use it with [[Glossary:Topic|topics]] instead of [[Glossary:Item|items]]. Set [[Glossary:A-Factor|A-Factor]] of most important articles to a very low value (e.g. 1.01). This way you will be able to filter them out at '''Postpone''' and make sure they never get rescheduled
*'''Postpone count''' helps you prevent numerous postpones. For example, if you set the postpone count to 6 in the '''Items''' column, [[Glossary:Item|items]] will only be postponed 6 times. After that, '''Postpone''' will not affect them
*'''Priority (%)''' makes it possible to avoid rescheduling of elements whose [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] falls into a selected percentile bracket (low % indicates high priority)
</blockquote>

=== Adjust tab ===

The '''Adjust''' tab can be used for fine tuning delays on subsets with a complex [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] structure of individual [[Glossary:Branch|branches]] of knowledge. '''Sub-branch postpones''' determine how the rescheduling procedure interprets [[Glossary:Branch|branches]] included in the [[Glossary:Element_subset|subset]] that have their own postpone settings defined. Here are the possible options:

*'''Respect settings''' - respect the setting defined for individual [[Glossary:Branch|branches]] and ignore the currently used global setting of the '''Parameters''' tab. For a comprehensive postpone towards the end of your learning day (i.e. at times when you want to focus on your core knowledge), postpone all less important [[Glossary:Branch|branches]] and be more lenient on [[Glossary:Branch|branches]] that include most vital pieces of knowledge
*'''Ignore settings''' - use the '''Parameters''' tab setting for all [[Glossary:Element|elements]] in the postponed subset. Ignore all [[Glossary:Branch|branch]] postpone definitions. For example, if you want to postpone all [[Glossary:Topic|topics]] in your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]], you can ignore the settings for individual [[Glossary:Branch|branches]], which may have '''Skip topics''' selected. This option is the fastest as it does not need to scan [[Glossary:Branch|branches]] for individual postpone definitions
*'''Always choose most conservative settings''' - check the [[Glossary:Branch|branch]] setting and postpone as little as possible (i.e. choose the definition that is least drastic)
*'''Always choose most liberal settings''' - check the [[Glossary:Branch|branch]] setting and postpone as much as possible (i.e. choose the definition that provides for the highest delay). For example, minutes before you finish your learning day, postpone whatever can be postponed and focus only on the cream of the crop of your knowledge

Advanced settings on the '''Adjust tab''' include:

* '''Include elements that are not outstanding''' for switching between '''Postpone''' and '''Dilute''',
* '''Modify item delay in proportion to the forgetting index''' for delaying [[Glossary:Item|items]] in proportion to the [[Glossary:Forgetting_index|forgetting index]],
* '''Modify topic delay in proportion to A-Factor''' for delaying [[Glossary:Topic|topics]] in proportion to their [[Glossary:A-Factor|A-Factor]], and
* '''Modify delay in proportion to element priority''' for delaying [[Glossary:Element|elements]] in proportion to their [[Glossary:Priority|priority]].

=== Simulate, Postpone and Dilute ===

Once you define the settings on the '''Parameters''' tab and, optionally, fine tune them on the '''Adjust''' tab, save them with '''Save''' on the '''Scope''' tab. You can now test the postpone procedure by clicking '''Simulate'''. If you are not satisfied with the results, redefine '''Parameters'''. Once you are happy with the result of the simulation, '''Save''' the settings and choose '''Postpone'''.

The option '''Dilute''' (e.g. '''[[Subset operations#Learning|Learning]] : Dilute''' on the [[Subset operations|subset processing menu]]) should only be used in rare circumstances. It is analogous to '''Postpone''' but it also delays elements that are not [[Glossary:Outstanding_element|outstanding]]. There are two main reasons for using '''Dilute''':

*it may happen that you learn a lot of material in a [[Glossary:Branch|branch]] that is no longer important to you. Instead of deleting such a [[Glossary:Branch|branch]], you may decide to incrementally sift it of the less relevant material. To reduce the emphasis on this [[Glossary:Branch|branch]] in your daily review, use '''Dilute''' and spread the material over a longer period of time. Also use '''[[Subset operations#Priority|Priority]] : Decrease''' on the [[Subset operations|subset processing menu]] in the browser to make sure this low-priority material does not play an excessive role in your learning
*if you transfer a portion of your learning process to another SuperMemo using XML export, you can '''Dilute''' the transferred material and continue learning on two independent platforms (e.g. pocket SuperMemo and SuperMemo for Windows). '''Dilute''' will prevent duplicating repetitions. See: [http://super-memory.com/articles/soft/pocket.htm Revolution in the pocket]

== Auto-Postpone ==

'''[[Glossary:Auto-postpone|Auto-postpone]]''' option is available with '''[[Learn menu | Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Postpone|Postpone]] : Auto-postpone'''. It makes sure that excess repetitions are automatically postponed before the learning begins (if the option is checked).

'''[[Glossary:Auto-postpone|Auto-postpone]]''' affects only [[Glossary:Outstanding_element|outstanding elements]] scheduled on preceding days. For example, on Dec 1, 2009, repetitions from all days up to Nov 30, 2009 will be subject to default '''Postpone'''. Only repetitions scheduled on Dec 1, 2009 (and in the future) will not be affected.

To edit the default postpone settings, use '''[[View menu | View]] : Outstanding''' and '''[[Browser menu#Process browser>|Process browser>]] : [[Subset operations#Postpone|Postpone]]''' on the [[browser menu]]. '''Skip the following number of top priority elements''' can be used to determine how many [[Glossary:Element|elements]] will be skipped when executing '''[[Glossary:Auto-postpone|Auto-postpone]]'''. This field is independent of '''Skip conditions'''. If you set this field to 50, you will ensure that on any given day, only that day's repetitions and 50 unexecuted outstanding repetitions will be kept in the [[Glossary:Outstanding_queue|outstanding queue]].

For example, if (1) '''Skip the following number of top priority elements''' is set to 50, and if (2) you have 600 outstanding repetitions from previous days, and if (3) you have 200 new outstanding repetitions, then 550 repetitions will be auto-postponed (600-50=550). This way, you will have 50+200=250 repetitions to make.

== Using Postpone in various contexts ==

* globally - to postpone [[Glossary:Element|elements]] globally use '''[[Learn menu | Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Postpone|Postpone]] : All elements'''
* [[browser]] - to postpone [[Glossary:Element|elements]] listed in a [[Glossary:Browser|browser]], use '''Postpone''' on the [[Subset operations|subset processing menu]] (see also: [[Using subsets]])
* [[Contents|'''Contents''' window]] - to postpone [[Glossary:Element|elements]] in a given [[Glossary:Branch|branch]], select it in the [[Contents|'''Contents''' window]], and use '''Postpone''' on the [[Subset operations|subset processing menu]]
* [[element window]] - to postpone [[Glossary:Element|elements]] belonging to any [[Glossary:Ancestor|ancestor]] [[Glossary:Branch|branch]] of the current [[Glossary:Element|element]] (e.g. during repetitions), choose '''[[Element menu#Learning|Learning]] : Postpone branch''' on the [[element menu]]. Respond with '''No''' until you reach the desired [[Glossary:Ancestor|ancestor]] [[Glossary:Branch|branch]]
* '''Ancestors''' window (''Shift+Ctrl+X'') - right-click over any [[Glossary:Ancestor|ancestor]] [[Glossary:Branch|branch]] and choose '''Postpone branch'''

== Examples ==

If your daily load of [[Glossary:Item|items]] and [[Glossary:Topic|topics]] keeps increasing, you can dilute the learning process with selective postpones from time to time. For example, you can opt to delay repetitions in subsets such as:

* all articles and [[Glossary:Extract|extracts]]
* all newly added material
* all material in a given knowledge [[Glossary:Branch|branch]] (e.g. ''chemistry'')
* all difficult material
* all short-[[Glossary:Interval|interval]] material, etc.

Here are some typical ways in which you will execute '''[[Postpone]]''':

* to postpone [[Glossary:Topic|topics]], '''[[Learn menu | Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Postpone|Postpone]] : Topics'''
* to postpone all [[Glossary:Item|items]] (but not [[Glossary:Topic|topics]]) in a given [[Glossary:Branch|branch]] (e.g. all new [[Glossary:Item|items]] in your ''new items'' branch):
*# select the [[Glossary:Branch|branch]] in the [[Contents|'''Contents''' window]]
*# choose '''[[Contents menu#View|View]] : Branch''' on the [[contents menu]]
*# choose '''[[Browser menu#Child|Child]] : Items''' on the [[browser menu]]
*# choose '''[[Browser menu#Process browser>|Process browser>]] : [[Subset operations#Postpone|Postpone]]''' on the [[browser menu]]
* to postpone all repetitions in a [[Glossary:Branch|branch]] to which a given [[Glossary:Element|element]] belongs:
*# choose '''[[Element menu#Learning|Learning]] : Postpone branch''' on the [[element menu]] when you see an [[Glossary:Element|element]] belonging to a lower priority [[Glossary:Branch|branch]]. For example, when SuperMemo brings for review an [[Glossary:Item|item]] on ''the Bill of Rights'', you might decide that your ''US Constitution'' branch should be postponed (e.g. because its priority is less than that of [[Glossary:Branch|branches]] related to your profession)
*# answer '''No''' until the desired parent [[Glossary:Branch|branch]] is reached (SuperMemo will scan [[Glossary:Ancestor|ancestor]] [[Glossary:Branch|branches]] from the present one up to the [[Glossary:Root_node|root]] of the [[Glossary:Knowledge_tree|knowledge tree]])

== Postpone or Mercy? ==

'''Postpone''' should drastically reduce the role of '''[[Mercy]]''' in SuperMemo. However, you may still need '''[[Mercy]]''' in the following circumstances:

# Randomizing repetitions ('''[[Toolkit menu |Toolkit]] : [[Mercy]] : [[Mercy criteria | Criteria]] : Randomize''')
# Rescheduling the outstanding material after a longer break (with chosen '''[[Mercy]] : [[Mercy criteria | Criteria]]''')
# Advancing future repetitions to an earlier date (e.g. before a vacation)

For more details see: [[Postpone, Advance and Mercy]]

== Further reading ==

* [[Incremental reading]]
* [[Priority queue]]
* [http://super-memory.com/help/faq/read.htm FAQ: Incremental reading (and Postpone)]

Introduction

2020-10-03T12:56:59Z

SuperMemoUser: /* Summary: The ABC of SuperMemo */

== SuperMemo will help you learn faster! ==

It is enough that you spend 3 minutes reading this page to be able to begin learning with SuperMemo!

For a good start, you only need two options:

#'''[[Add new]]''' - to add new questions and answers to SuperMemo (keyboard: ''Alt+A'')
#'''[[Learn]]''' - to review the material that you want to remember (keyboard: ''Ctrl+L'')

[[Image:Add new.jpg|500px|SuperMemo: Adding new questions and answers at the Beginner Level]]
{{:Image:Add new.jpg}}

'''Start learning now!''' Initially you may doubt the power of SuperMemo. Trust it for 1-2 weeks and you will begin to understand it better. Add at least 50-100 questions-answer pairs related to your job, your life, or your interests. See how SuperMemo schedules the material for review. See how your memory gets a boost from reviewing that material.

== Summary: The ABC of SuperMemo ==

*<span style="color: red; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold">A</span>dd new material with '''[[Add new]]''' (''Alt+A'')
*<span style="color: red; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold">B</span>e sure to review your daily dose of material with '''[[Learn]]''' (''Ctrl+L'')
*<span style="color: red; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold">C</span>herish the blessing of empowering wisdom! (which in simple English means: [https://supermemo.guru/wiki/Pleasure_of_learning Have fun with your new knowledge])

{{Important note|Option '''Learn''' will ask you to review your material only after a few days. For that reason, spend your first days on adding new material for learning}}

== Important reading ==

*[https://super-memory.com/help/faq/begin.htm Beginner's FAQ] - questions most often asked by SuperMemo beginners
*[https://supermemopedia.com/wiki/SuperMemo_is_too_difficult! SuperMemo is too difficult!!!]
*[[Step-by-step to SuperMemo mastery|Step by step to SuperMemo Mastery: '''User's Guide''']] - this step-by-step course of SuperMemo will help you learn the most important skills of an advanced SuperMemo user in a sequence that will maximize the gradual increase in your productivity
*[[Backup|'''Backup''']] - to make sure you never lose your learning investment, you must learn how to back up your learning material!
*[https://supermemo.guru/wiki/20_rules_of_knowledge_formulation 20 rules of formulating knowledge] - the way you put your questions and answers together may determine the degree of your success
*[https://super-memory.com/articles/decalog.htm SuperMemo Decalog] - SuperMemo beginners tend to make the same mistakes. This text will help you avoid these mistakes and enjoy efficient learning
*[[Incremental learning]] - adding questions and answers is the "old way" in SuperMemo. The new way is ''incremental learning''. Incremental learning is more complex and requires more experience. However, it is by far the best way to learn new material imported from the web
*[https://supermemopedia.com SuperMemopedia] - Encyclopedia of SuperMemo written by users of SuperMemo
*[https://supermemopedia.com/wiki/ABC Beginner's FAQ Wiki] - frequently asked questions that you can edit and add your own
*[https://www.antimoon.com/how/usingsm-firstcoll.htm Starting your first SuperMemo collection] - ABC of SuperMemo by [https://www.antimoon.com Antimoon.com]
*[https://supermemo.guru/wiki/Pleasure_of_learning Pleasure of learning] - you must never forget that learning must be fun, or it may rather result in … [https://supermemo.guru/wiki/Hating_SuperMemo hating SuperMemo!]

Incremental mail processing

2020-09-11T14:21:00Z

SuperMemoUser: /* Sending learning data to others */

__TOC__

== E-mail in SuperMemo: Introduction ==

SuperMemo makes it easy to resolve mail overload without neglecting the most important channels of communication.

In addition to prioritizing and managing the communication, SuperMemo helps you:

# incorporate e-mail communication into your learning process (e.g. forwarding and discussing important pieces of knowledge)
# incorporate learning into your e-mail communication (e.g. memorizing important facts related to your mail communication)

To fully use e-mail functionality in SuperMemo you will need Windows (Live) Mail (or any other e-mail client that support EML) or MS Outlook 2000 or later. At the very minimum, MAPI compatible mail would be needed for sending SuperMemo [[Glossary:Element|elements]] or objects via mail.

Here are the most important ways you can use SuperMemo in mail processing, and use e-mail in communicating your SuperMemo work:

# '''Prioritizing mail''': To make sure you always begin with the most important pieces, you should use the [[Glossary:Priority_queue|priority queue]] to prioritize mail. Possibly, you will not manage to answer all mail, however, you will always do your best in processing top-priority messages.
# '''Using incremental learning tools to process mail''': [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|Incremental reading]] is a powerful tool that helps you prioritize, schedule, and process mail. As a result, you may decide that instead of using your mail software, it is more convenient and rational to use SuperMemo to read and respond to your e-mail. Users of Windows (Live) Mail or MS Outlook can now import all their mail to SuperMemo with a keystroke. If you receive more mail than you are able to effectively process, you can use overload tools. You will immediately process only the most important pieces and proceed with others according to their [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] in proportion of available time. As in the learning process, rescheduling and sorting happens in the background, so that you never lose sleep over delaying a reply or being slow with processing excess mail. You can respond to longer pieces incrementally.
# '''Sending learning data to others''': If you encounter valuable information in incremental learning (or when processing mail), you can send it to your colleagues, friends, partners or family with a single click for inspiration or further discussion. For example, while reading an article about decoding human genome, you might find out that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Venter Craig Venter of Celera] comes from a Mormon family and that his father was eventually excommunicated. You can send such a note (or the whole article) from SuperMemo to your Mormon friend with a click of a button.
# '''Using mail material in incremental learning''': You may also incorporate snippets of mail in your learning process. You can treat most valuable pieces of e-mail as articles to read. If you receive highly inspirational messages, you may want to introduce it into incremental learning and memorize its portions to ensure long-term benefit. In other words, your mail may not only prompt action, but may also be used in learning to keep your memory up-to-date with things you care about. This way you can also learn from materials sent from others, esp. if those materials come in small portions extracted from an incremental learning process conducted by other people. You can also comment or respond to individual portions of the processed mail. You can do it while reading or when new ideas come to your mind upon review. You can use this process for the purpose of creativity (e.g. reviewing an inspiring idea or information in different contexts) or for the purpose of recall (e.g. trying to remember the university major of your cousin).

== Sending learning data to others ==

Note: Sending e-mail does not work by default in Windows 10, even with a MAPI compliant client. Please [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLe9MjhbmdU watch this video] for instructions on how to get sending email working with SuperMemo (using registry string: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows Messaging Subsystem)).

To send an [[Glossary:Element|element]] via e-mail, click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[navigation bar]] or press ''Shift+Ctrl+E''. Element texts will be sent in the e-mail body (if you wish so), while formatted texts, pictures, and other files will be sent as attachments. You could also send texts without attachments by using '''[[Element menu#E-mail|E-mail]] : Texts''' or '''[[Element menu#E-mail|E-mail]] : Q&A''' on the [[element menu]].

To send a selected fragment of an article via e-mail, right-click over the selection (to open the [[component menu]]) and choose '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail''' (''Shift+Ctrl+E''). Alternatively, you can also click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]]. '''Note:''' SuperMemo sends only plain text mail, and formatted texts can only be sent as attachments.

To send a fragment of [http://youtube.com YouTube] video, mark the fragment with '''Start''' and '''Stop''' buttons and click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[navigation bar]].

== Importing mail to SuperMemo ==

=== Importing mail from Windows (Live) Mail ===

To import mail from Windows (Live) Mail, follow these steps:

<ol>
<li>(optionally) Preview mail in your Windows (Live) Mail Inbox:
<ul>
<li>delete spam,</li>
<li>process one-liners (mail that requires only short answers and is not worth archiving),</li>
<li>categorize mail by moving it to separate folders (e.g. ''Business'', ''Family'', ''Pictures'', ''Learning'', etc.), forward mail that may be processed by others, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>(optionally) Move mail that is to be processed incrementally in a given [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] to a dedicated import folder. Use a top level import folder as SuperMemo only lists top folders on the pick-list (e.g. ''Inbox'', ''Sent items'', ''Business'' as opposed to ''Inbox/Business''). Nested folders need to be picked manually (with '''Change the import folder''').</li>
<li>You can import mail from any folder by following these steps:
<ol>
<li>Choose '''[[Edit menu|Edit]] : [[Edit menu#Import mail|Import mail]]''' (''Shift+F4'') on the [[main menu]], or '''Import mail''' from the import context menu on the [[learnbar]]</li>
<li>(when importing for the first time) select '''Windows (Live) Mail''' as your mail application</li>
<li>(when importing for the first time) pick the account you want to import mail from</li>
<li>(when importing for the first time) SuperMemo will ask you to specify the folder with e-mails to import
<div class="center">
[[File:Folder selection at mail import.jpg|SuperMemo: A dialog with the list of top level folders to import mail from (displayed when importing mail for the first time)]]
<blockquote>'''''Figure''': A dialog with the list of top level folders to import mail from (displayed when importing mail for the first time)''</blockquote>
</div>
</li>
<li>Pressing '''OK''' will import all mail to SuperMemo. E-mail attachments will be imported as separate [[Glossary:Component|components]] of the appropriate type. Binary [[Glossary:Component|components]] will be used to import attachments in formats that are not supported by SuperMemo (e.g. ''PDF'', ''URL'', ''ZIP'', ''MSG'', ''MMP'', ''XLS'', ''DOC'', ''MPA'', ''WMA'', etc.). Mail that has been imported previously will be skipped (as long as it is located in the same import folder as used in the prior import)
<div class="center">
[[File:Progress bar at mail import.jpg|SuperMemo: Progress bar displayed while importing mail]]
<blockquote>'''''Figure''': Progress bar displayed while importing mail to SuperMemo''</blockquote>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>

Note that you will only repeat steps 2-4 when changing the e-mail client or the import folder.

=== Importing mail from MS Outlook ===

To import mail from MS Outlook, do what follows:

# (optionally) Preview mail in the Outlook Inbox
# (optionally) Move mail that is to be processed incrementally in a given [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] to a dedicated import folder. A disadvantage of importing directly from Outlook Inbox is that new mail may arrive during the import process
# You can import the content of your Inbox (or any other Outlook mail folder) by choosing '''[[Edit menu|Edit]] : [[Edit menu#Import mail|Import mail]]''' (''Shift+F4'') on the [[main menu]]. Choose '''Import All''' to import all mail to SuperMemo and move it to an archive folder in MS Outlook (see the picture below). E-mail attachments will be imported as separate [[Glossary:Component|components]] of the appropriate type. Binary [[Glossary:Component|components]] will be used to import attachments in formats that are not supported by SuperMemo (e.g. ''PDF'', ''URL'', ''ZIP'', ''MSG'', ''MMP'', ''XLS'', ''DOC'', ''MPA'', etc.)

[[Image:Import_mail.jpg|800px|center|SuperMemo: Import Mail dialog box which you can import your mail from MS Outlook to SuperMemo through]]

=== Importing mail from other applications ===

==== Importing mail from a folder ====

If your mail application keeps mail on a local disk in the EML format, you can import it by pointing to the folder from which the mail should be imported:

# choose '''[[Edit menu|Edit]] : [[Edit menu#Import mail|Import mail]]''' (''Shift+F4'') from the [[main menu]]
# choose '''Change the mailing program''' (if you used other method previously, answer with '''''No''''' to whatever confirmation SuperMemo demands)
# choose '''Other applications'''
# when SuperMemo asks "''Please point to the folder where you keep the mail that you want to import''", point to the folder where EML files reside

==== Importing mail by copy&paste ====

If you do not use Windows (Live) Mail, nor MS Outlook, nor any other suitable application from where you can import mail, you can manually import individual pieces of mail.

To paste a piece of e-mail for [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]], select the text in the e-mail body, copy this text to the clipboard and choose '''E-Mail: Paste''' in the '''[[SuperMemo Commander|Commander]]'''.

If you want to respond to the original sender while incrementally reading his or her e-mail, paste the e-mail along with its header information (date, return address, subject, etc.).

For example, in Thunderbird:

# click '''Forward''',
# select the entire body of the message (e.g. with ''Ctrl+A''),
# copy the selected text to the clipboard (e.g. with ''Ctrl+C'' or ''Ctrl+Ins'')
# switch to SuperMemo, and choose '''E-Mail: Paste''' in the '''[[SuperMemo Commander|Commander]]'''. This will automatically convert your e-mail to plain text (to save space, remove read-only attributes, etc.). It will also format the header for you. If you want to retain some formatting, select the text and re-paste the formatted fragment

== Reading mail incrementally ==

You can process e-mail incrementally in SuperMemo in a process analogous to [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]].

Here are the pros and the cons:

=== Advantages ===

# '''recall of important facts''': if you learn new things from e-mail sent by others, you can easily introduce the most valuable pieces into the learning process (via standard '''Extract''' or ''Alt+X''). Those pieces will be reviewed as other pieces of knowledge in SuperMemo. If you decide to respond to a given inspirational fragment, the sender address will automatically be used when you click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[navigation bar]]. Incremental processing will help you remember names, contexts, events, and facts far better than when using other methods. You will not experience mental chaos caused by an overcrowded Inbox
# '''prioritization''': if you get more e-mail material than you are able to process, you can use incremental learning tools for prioritizing mail and its fragments. One of the greatest strengths of incremental learning is its unique system for efficiently determining the priority of the reading material with the help of the [[Glossary:Priority_queue|priority queue]]. Remember to politely inform everyone about your e-mail processing system. Otherwise you may easily be accused of acting as an ''e-mail black hole''
# '''handling overflow''': you can use '''[[Postpone]]''' and other rescheduling tools to resolve the excessive inflow of information without damage to your selected priority criteria. If you work in a team, it is a great idea to delegate some of your work; however, not all work can be delegated. Additionally, if you delegate, you do not learn from e-mail that you delegate. To answer the latter problem, you can choose a solution in the middle: delegate e-mail jobs and process inflowing pieces with the tools of incremental learning

=== Disadvantages ===

# '''splintering e-mail''': some people dislike [http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=splinter splintered] responses. They prefer to have their e-mail analyzed as a whole and responded to as a whole (preferably within an hour :). As an act of kindness, try to remember people's preferences and do not use incremental e-mail processing (too much) on those who do not like it
# '''incremental approach is not transitive''': incremental e-mail processing shows the greatest power for longer pieces of mail, article forwards, etc. For very short e-mail messages, incremental e-mail processing delivers less value per unit time. Because incremental mail processing leads to short communication bursts, it undermines its own power when used at both ends of the communication channel. However, even if you communicate in short sentences (i.e. without SuperMemo), keep the record of mail in your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] for [[Subset review#Search and review|Search and review]]

== Incremental strategy for mail processing ==

Incremental learning can be employed in mail processing.

The strategy will be different when processing mail from family or friends. It will be different when processing business mail. It will also be different, and perhaps most effective, when [[Incremental learning#Incremental brainstorming|brainstorming over e-mail]].

This is an exemplary strategy that might be used in nearly all imaginable applications:

'''Review stage'''

# (optionally) Preview mail in your Inbox: delete spam, process one-liners (mail that requires only short answers and is not worth archiving), categorize mail by moving it to separate folders (e.g. ''Business'', ''Family'', ''Pictures'', ''Learning'', ''Music'', etc.), forward mail that may be processed by others, etc.
# import mail from a selected import folder (e.g. with ''Shift+F4''). You may import different categories of mail to different [[Glossary:Collection|collections]] (e.g. business mail to Mail.kno, while family pictures to Photos.kno)
# prioritize mail. Use '''[[Subset operations#spread_priorities|Spread priorities]]''' to assign a range of [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] to the imported subset of mail. Use ''Alt+P'' on most important pieces of mail to assign individual [[Glossary:Priority|priorities]]. For example, import the bulk in the 3%..6% range, and pick 5-10 most important pieces for higher priorities

'''Processing stage'''

# click '''[[Learn]]''', and process mail using standard incremental reading tools (extract, re-prioritize, delay, etc.) combined with e-mail options (extract, send/reply, FAQ, article or picture forwards, etc.). As long as you use [[Glossary:Auto-sort|auto-sort]] and [[Glossary:Auto-postpone|auto-postpone]], your workload should be reasonable and you should always begin from top priority mail. If you have '''[[Learn menu|Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Sorting|Sorting]] : Auto-sort repetitions''' checked, your mail will be sorted by [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] at the beginning of the day. If have '''[[Learn menu|Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Postpone|Postpone]] : Auto-postpone''' checked, all the mail that you fail to process today will be redistributed into the future
# (optionally) once you run out of time, process some mail without responding to re-prioritize and reschedule the most important pieces manually (rather than leaving them to automatic rescheduling)

Naturally, as with [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]], the time you choose to progress through individual stages is important for efficiency. '''Processing stage''' should fall into time slots with best alertness and mental performance. '''Review stage''' can be done at other times, incl. while multi-tasking. This approach eliminates the instant nature of mail, but makes the entire process more reasonable, esp. if volumes are far beyond manageable. Although many pieces of mail will get substantially delayed (or perhaps even neglected), top-priority mail will be processed in the first order, and damage done by urgency will be less. The above strategy may introduce an inevitable delay of up to 4 days in replying (Day #1 arrival, #2 review, #3 prioritizing, #4 processing); however, in [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]], it is always the priority and quality that should come first ahead of speed and urgency. Those pieces that truly cannot wait can be handled at '''Review stage''' (if absolutely necessary).

== Mail processing tips ==

# Create a separate [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] for e-mail processing (unless you plan to combine e-mail work with standard repetitions)
# Import mail to your e-mail [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] with ''Shift+F4''
# Use the [[Glossary:Priority_queue|priority queue]] (''Alt+P'') to prioritize mail
# Use '''[[Glossary:Auto-sort|Auto-sort]]''' and '''[[Glossary:Auto-postpone|Auto-postone]]''' to resolve [[Glossary:Overload|overload]] and prioritize mail automatically
# You can delay individual pieces of mail with ''Ctrl+Shift+R'' or ''Ctrl+J'', and change their [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] with ''Alt+P''. Use ''Ctrl+Shift+R'' on first reading to determine when you want to reply to an e-mail
# SuperMemo picks the earliest ''[mailto:'' tag from your e-mail text as the default response addressee. If you would like to send pieces of an article to a selected person, put this tag with the address anywhere in the text. For example: ''<nowiki>[mailto:johndoe@hotmail.com]</nowiki>'' (note the square brackets around the tag and the missing space between ''mailto:'' and the address). You can specify multiple recipients by separating their names with a semicolon. For example: ''<nowiki>[mailto:miko;alex]</nowiki>'' where ''miko'' and ''alex'' must be defined in your mail program's address book (e.g. Windows Live Mail address book). Adding the ''[mailto:'' tag is useful when you want to ask many questions or forward many pieces of a single mail to a single person whose address is complex and is not defined in your address book
# Optionally, add a degree of randomization in your [[Priority queue#Sorting repetitions|Sorting criteria]] to prevent "tunnel vision" in processing. For example, we all suffer from a ''recency bias'' where recently arrived mail is ranked higher in priority than mail that arrived earlier. Randomization helps to counteract this and similar biases
# In the e-mail review process (initiated with '''[[Learn]]'''), do the following:
#* respond to the most important fragments with '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]])(on the [[navigation bar]])
#* schedule less important fragments with '''Schedule extract''' (on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]])
#* pass or delete unimportant fragments, or mark them with '''Ignore''' (on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]])
#* if you jump to the next e-mail [[Glossary:Element|element]] before completing the reading, select the current [[Glossary:Read-point|read-point]] with ''Ctrl+F7'' ('''Set read-point''')
#* if you jump to the next e-mail before completing the reading, optionally, set the new [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] with ''Shift+Ctrl+R''
#* if mail can be answered later, use ''Alt+P'' to reduce its [[Glossary:Priority|priority]]
#* use '''Next repetition''' or '''[[Learn]]''' to move on to the next piece of mail
#* if you complete reading/processing a piece of e-mail, [[Glossary:Dismiss|dismiss]] it with ''Ctrl+D''. You can also use '''Done''' on the [[element menu]] (''Shift+Ctrl+Enter'') if you do not plan to archive a given piece of mail
# To change the addressee, paste the new address in place of the old one in the ''[mailto: ]'' field. You can use short names (e.g. ''<nowiki>[mailto:john]</nowiki>'') if you have the name in your '''Address Book'''. Unfortunately, you will have to paste the address to all splinter fragments generated in [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]]. You could use '''Search and Replace''' (''Ctrl+R'') for that purpose.
# You can sort mail by [[Glossary:Interval|interval]], date, and more. See: [[#You can sort mail by interval, priority or other criteria|You can sort mail by interval, priority or other criteria]]
# You can safely remove texts that SuperMemo adds at the end of mail sent

=== You can sort mail by interval, priority or other criteria ===

You can sort mail by the length of the [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] using the following method:

# choose '''[[View menu|View]] : [[View menu#Outstanding|Outstanding]]'''
# click ''Intrv'' twice at the top of the [[Browser|browser window]] (to sort from the lowest to the highest [[Glossary:Interval|intervals]])
# choose '''[[Browser menu#Tools|Tools]] : Save repetitions''' (on the [[browser menu]])

You can use this method in e-mail processing in the same way as in the learning process. You can also use this method to sort mail by [[Glossary:Priority|priority]], last review date, etc. It is most convenient to use '''[[Glossary:Auto-sort|auto-sort]]''' and '''[[Glossary:Auto-postpone|auto-postpone]]''' when processing mail. This way you can be sure that mail of highest [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] is scheduled at the beginning of the [[Glossary:Outstanding_queue|outstanding queue]].

== Responding with FAQs ==

When processing e-mail, you can choose to reply to a question with an FAQ (i.e. a question-answer pair), which can then be stored in your FAQ database. Responding via FAQ is the best way to retain the context of the question, even if you reply with substantial delay.

Use '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail FAQ''' on the [[component menu]] or click the FAQ icon on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]]. After providing the answer, click '''OK'''. Optionally, you can reword the question, change the addressee, or the title of the question. You can also have your FAQ saved in HTML or Wiki format for publishing on the web. Note that SuperMemo FAQs are generated with SuperMemo itself. This way, many users can benefit from a reply to a question asked by a single individual.

If you would like to publish your FAQs and change their formatting, modify the following files:

* '''HTML''': ''[SuperMemo folder]\bin\FAQ_template.htm''
* '''Wiki''': ''[SuperMemo folder]\bin\FAQ_wiki.txt''

If you would like to use rich formatting in your FAQs that will be saved to a selected HTML file, toggle the '''Rich formatting''' button above the top right corner of the '''Question''' text area. You can recognize if the formatting is enabled by blue borders of the '''Question''' and '''Answer''' fields. You will then be able to use standard keyboard shortcuts for basic formatting (e.g. ''Ctrl+B'' to make the currently selected text '''bold''', ''Ctrl+I'' to ''italicize'' the selected text, etc.)

<div class="center">
{|
| [[Image:Email response.jpg|thumb|none|upright=2|The '''E-mail response''' dialog box now supports richly formatted FAQs that can be formatted either as HTML...]]
| [[Image:Email response2.jpg|thumb|none|upright=2|or WYSIWYG]]
|-
| colspan="2" | '''''Figire''': '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail FAQ''' on the [[component menu]] makes it possible to use the selected text as a question in an FAQ. The FAQ will be sent as a reply, and stored in FAQ files (as HTML and/or Wiki).''
|}
</div>

You can edit your FAQs in the [[HTML component]]. Use '''Horizontal line''' in the '''[[SuperMemo Commander|Commander]]''' to separate question from answer with a [[Glossary:Splitmark|splitline]] (you can use '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : Split : Insert splitline''' on the [[component menu]], or ''Shift+Alt+H''). Once the FAQ is largely complete, select both the question and the answer, and choose '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail FAQ''' from the [[component menu]] to polish its HTML, preview it in the WYSIWYG mode, and send it. The FAQ will be sent as a reply, and stored in FAQ files (as HTML and/or Wiki).

Incremental mail processing

2020-09-03T21:28:12Z

SuperMemoUser: /* Sending learning data to others */

__TOC__

== E-mail in SuperMemo: Introduction ==

SuperMemo makes it easy to resolve mail overload without neglecting the most important channels of communication.

In addition to prioritizing and managing the communication, SuperMemo helps you:

# incorporate e-mail communication into your learning process (e.g. forwarding and discussing important pieces of knowledge)
# incorporate learning into your e-mail communication (e.g. memorizing important facts related to your mail communication)

To fully use e-mail functionality in SuperMemo you will need Windows (Live) Mail (or any other e-mail client that support EML) or MS Outlook 2000 or later. At the very minimum, MAPI compatible mail would be needed for sending SuperMemo [[Glossary:Element|elements]] or objects via mail.

Here are the most important ways you can use SuperMemo in mail processing, and use e-mail in communicating your SuperMemo work:

# '''Prioritizing mail''': To make sure you always begin with the most important pieces, you should use the [[Glossary:Priority_queue|priority queue]] to prioritize mail. Possibly, you will not manage to answer all mail, however, you will always do your best in processing top-priority messages.
# '''Using incremental learning tools to process mail''': [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|Incremental reading]] is a powerful tool that helps you prioritize, schedule, and process mail. As a result, you may decide that instead of using your mail software, it is more convenient and rational to use SuperMemo to read and respond to your e-mail. Users of Windows (Live) Mail or MS Outlook can now import all their mail to SuperMemo with a keystroke. If you receive more mail than you are able to effectively process, you can use overload tools. You will immediately process only the most important pieces and proceed with others according to their [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] in proportion of available time. As in the learning process, rescheduling and sorting happens in the background, so that you never lose sleep over delaying a reply or being slow with processing excess mail. You can respond to longer pieces incrementally.
# '''Sending learning data to others''': If you encounter valuable information in incremental learning (or when processing mail), you can send it to your colleagues, friends, partners or family with a single click for inspiration or further discussion. For example, while reading an article about decoding human genome, you might find out that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Venter Craig Venter of Celera] comes from a Mormon family and that his father was eventually excommunicated. You can send such a note (or the whole article) from SuperMemo to your Mormon friend with a click of a button.
# '''Using mail material in incremental learning''': You may also incorporate snippets of mail in your learning process. You can treat most valuable pieces of e-mail as articles to read. If you receive highly inspirational messages, you may want to introduce it into incremental learning and memorize its portions to ensure long-term benefit. In other words, your mail may not only prompt action, but may also be used in learning to keep your memory up-to-date with things you care about. This way you can also learn from materials sent from others, esp. if those materials come in small portions extracted from an incremental learning process conducted by other people. You can also comment or respond to individual portions of the processed mail. You can do it while reading or when new ideas come to your mind upon review. You can use this process for the purpose of creativity (e.g. reviewing an inspiring idea or information in different contexts) or for the purpose of recall (e.g. trying to remember the university major of your cousin).

== Sending learning data to others ==

Note: Sending e-mail does not work by default in Windows 10, even with a MAPI compliant client. Please [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLe9MjhbmdU watch this video] for instructions on how to get sending email working with SuperMemo.

To send an [[Glossary:Element|element]] via e-mail, click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[navigation bar]] or press ''Shift+Ctrl+E''. Element texts will be sent in the e-mail body (if you wish so), while formatted texts, pictures, and other files will be sent as attachments. You could also send texts without attachments by using '''[[Element menu#E-mail|E-mail]] : Texts''' or '''[[Element menu#E-mail|E-mail]] : Q&A''' on the [[element menu]].

To send a selected fragment of an article via e-mail, right-click over the selection (to open the [[component menu]]) and choose '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail''' (''Shift+Ctrl+E''). Alternatively, you can also click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]]. '''Note:''' SuperMemo sends only plain text mail, and formatted texts can only be sent as attachments.

To send a fragment of [http://youtube.com YouTube] video, mark the fragment with '''Start''' and '''Stop''' buttons and click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[navigation bar]].

== Importing mail to SuperMemo ==

=== Importing mail from Windows (Live) Mail ===

To import mail from Windows (Live) Mail, follow these steps:

<ol>
<li>(optionally) Preview mail in your Windows (Live) Mail Inbox:
<ul>
<li>delete spam,</li>
<li>process one-liners (mail that requires only short answers and is not worth archiving),</li>
<li>categorize mail by moving it to separate folders (e.g. ''Business'', ''Family'', ''Pictures'', ''Learning'', etc.), forward mail that may be processed by others, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>(optionally) Move mail that is to be processed incrementally in a given [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] to a dedicated import folder. Use a top level import folder as SuperMemo only lists top folders on the pick-list (e.g. ''Inbox'', ''Sent items'', ''Business'' as opposed to ''Inbox/Business''). Nested folders need to be picked manually (with '''Change the import folder''').</li>
<li>You can import mail from any folder by following these steps:
<ol>
<li>Choose '''[[Edit menu|Edit]] : [[Edit menu#Import mail|Import mail]]''' (''Shift+F4'') on the [[main menu]], or '''Import mail''' from the import context menu on the [[learnbar]]</li>
<li>(when importing for the first time) select '''Windows (Live) Mail''' as your mail application</li>
<li>(when importing for the first time) pick the account you want to import mail from</li>
<li>(when importing for the first time) SuperMemo will ask you to specify the folder with e-mails to import
<div class="center">
[[File:Folder selection at mail import.jpg|SuperMemo: A dialog with the list of top level folders to import mail from (displayed when importing mail for the first time)]]
<blockquote>'''''Figure''': A dialog with the list of top level folders to import mail from (displayed when importing mail for the first time)''</blockquote>
</div>
</li>
<li>Pressing '''OK''' will import all mail to SuperMemo. E-mail attachments will be imported as separate [[Glossary:Component|components]] of the appropriate type. Binary [[Glossary:Component|components]] will be used to import attachments in formats that are not supported by SuperMemo (e.g. ''PDF'', ''URL'', ''ZIP'', ''MSG'', ''MMP'', ''XLS'', ''DOC'', ''MPA'', ''WMA'', etc.). Mail that has been imported previously will be skipped (as long as it is located in the same import folder as used in the prior import)
<div class="center">
[[File:Progress bar at mail import.jpg|SuperMemo: Progress bar displayed while importing mail]]
<blockquote>'''''Figure''': Progress bar displayed while importing mail to SuperMemo''</blockquote>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>

Note that you will only repeat steps 2-4 when changing the e-mail client or the import folder.

=== Importing mail from MS Outlook ===

To import mail from MS Outlook, do what follows:

# (optionally) Preview mail in the Outlook Inbox
# (optionally) Move mail that is to be processed incrementally in a given [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] to a dedicated import folder. A disadvantage of importing directly from Outlook Inbox is that new mail may arrive during the import process
# You can import the content of your Inbox (or any other Outlook mail folder) by choosing '''[[Edit menu|Edit]] : [[Edit menu#Import mail|Import mail]]''' (''Shift+F4'') on the [[main menu]]. Choose '''Import All''' to import all mail to SuperMemo and move it to an archive folder in MS Outlook (see the picture below). E-mail attachments will be imported as separate [[Glossary:Component|components]] of the appropriate type. Binary [[Glossary:Component|components]] will be used to import attachments in formats that are not supported by SuperMemo (e.g. ''PDF'', ''URL'', ''ZIP'', ''MSG'', ''MMP'', ''XLS'', ''DOC'', ''MPA'', etc.)

[[Image:Import_mail.jpg|800px|center|SuperMemo: Import Mail dialog box which you can import your mail from MS Outlook to SuperMemo through]]

=== Importing mail from other applications ===

==== Importing mail from a folder ====

If your mail application keeps mail on a local disk in the EML format, you can import it by pointing to the folder from which the mail should be imported:

# choose '''[[Edit menu|Edit]] : [[Edit menu#Import mail|Import mail]]''' (''Shift+F4'') from the [[main menu]]
# choose '''Change the mailing program''' (if you used other method previously, answer with '''''No''''' to whatever confirmation SuperMemo demands)
# choose '''Other applications'''
# when SuperMemo asks "''Please point to the folder where you keep the mail that you want to import''", point to the folder where EML files reside

==== Importing mail by copy&paste ====

If you do not use Windows (Live) Mail, nor MS Outlook, nor any other suitable application from where you can import mail, you can manually import individual pieces of mail.

To paste a piece of e-mail for [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]], select the text in the e-mail body, copy this text to the clipboard and choose '''E-Mail: Paste''' in the '''[[SuperMemo Commander|Commander]]'''.

If you want to respond to the original sender while incrementally reading his or her e-mail, paste the e-mail along with its header information (date, return address, subject, etc.).

For example, in Thunderbird:

# click '''Forward''',
# select the entire body of the message (e.g. with ''Ctrl+A''),
# copy the selected text to the clipboard (e.g. with ''Ctrl+C'' or ''Ctrl+Ins'')
# switch to SuperMemo, and choose '''E-Mail: Paste''' in the '''[[SuperMemo Commander|Commander]]'''. This will automatically convert your e-mail to plain text (to save space, remove read-only attributes, etc.). It will also format the header for you. If you want to retain some formatting, select the text and re-paste the formatted fragment

== Reading mail incrementally ==

You can process e-mail incrementally in SuperMemo in a process analogous to [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]].

Here are the pros and the cons:

=== Advantages ===

# '''recall of important facts''': if you learn new things from e-mail sent by others, you can easily introduce the most valuable pieces into the learning process (via standard '''Extract''' or ''Alt+X''). Those pieces will be reviewed as other pieces of knowledge in SuperMemo. If you decide to respond to a given inspirational fragment, the sender address will automatically be used when you click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[navigation bar]]. Incremental processing will help you remember names, contexts, events, and facts far better than when using other methods. You will not experience mental chaos caused by an overcrowded Inbox
# '''prioritization''': if you get more e-mail material than you are able to process, you can use incremental learning tools for prioritizing mail and its fragments. One of the greatest strengths of incremental learning is its unique system for efficiently determining the priority of the reading material with the help of the [[Glossary:Priority_queue|priority queue]]. Remember to politely inform everyone about your e-mail processing system. Otherwise you may easily be accused of acting as an ''e-mail black hole''
# '''handling overflow''': you can use '''[[Postpone]]''' and other rescheduling tools to resolve the excessive inflow of information without damage to your selected priority criteria. If you work in a team, it is a great idea to delegate some of your work; however, not all work can be delegated. Additionally, if you delegate, you do not learn from e-mail that you delegate. To answer the latter problem, you can choose a solution in the middle: delegate e-mail jobs and process inflowing pieces with the tools of incremental learning

=== Disadvantages ===

# '''splintering e-mail''': some people dislike [http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=splinter splintered] responses. They prefer to have their e-mail analyzed as a whole and responded to as a whole (preferably within an hour :). As an act of kindness, try to remember people's preferences and do not use incremental e-mail processing (too much) on those who do not like it
# '''incremental approach is not transitive''': incremental e-mail processing shows the greatest power for longer pieces of mail, article forwards, etc. For very short e-mail messages, incremental e-mail processing delivers less value per unit time. Because incremental mail processing leads to short communication bursts, it undermines its own power when used at both ends of the communication channel. However, even if you communicate in short sentences (i.e. without SuperMemo), keep the record of mail in your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] for [[Subset review#Search and review|Search and review]]

== Incremental strategy for mail processing ==

Incremental learning can be employed in mail processing.

The strategy will be different when processing mail from family or friends. It will be different when processing business mail. It will also be different, and perhaps most effective, when [[Incremental learning#Incremental brainstorming|brainstorming over e-mail]].

This is an exemplary strategy that might be used in nearly all imaginable applications:

'''Review stage'''

# (optionally) Preview mail in your Inbox: delete spam, process one-liners (mail that requires only short answers and is not worth archiving), categorize mail by moving it to separate folders (e.g. ''Business'', ''Family'', ''Pictures'', ''Learning'', ''Music'', etc.), forward mail that may be processed by others, etc.
# import mail from a selected import folder (e.g. with ''Shift+F4''). You may import different categories of mail to different [[Glossary:Collection|collections]] (e.g. business mail to Mail.kno, while family pictures to Photos.kno)
# prioritize mail. Use '''[[Subset operations#spread_priorities|Spread priorities]]''' to assign a range of [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] to the imported subset of mail. Use ''Alt+P'' on most important pieces of mail to assign individual [[Glossary:Priority|priorities]]. For example, import the bulk in the 3%..6% range, and pick 5-10 most important pieces for higher priorities

'''Processing stage'''

# click '''[[Learn]]''', and process mail using standard incremental reading tools (extract, re-prioritize, delay, etc.) combined with e-mail options (extract, send/reply, FAQ, article or picture forwards, etc.). As long as you use [[Glossary:Auto-sort|auto-sort]] and [[Glossary:Auto-postpone|auto-postpone]], your workload should be reasonable and you should always begin from top priority mail. If you have '''[[Learn menu|Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Sorting|Sorting]] : Auto-sort repetitions''' checked, your mail will be sorted by [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] at the beginning of the day. If have '''[[Learn menu|Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Postpone|Postpone]] : Auto-postpone''' checked, all the mail that you fail to process today will be redistributed into the future
# (optionally) once you run out of time, process some mail without responding to re-prioritize and reschedule the most important pieces manually (rather than leaving them to automatic rescheduling)

Naturally, as with [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]], the time you choose to progress through individual stages is important for efficiency. '''Processing stage''' should fall into time slots with best alertness and mental performance. '''Review stage''' can be done at other times, incl. while multi-tasking. This approach eliminates the instant nature of mail, but makes the entire process more reasonable, esp. if volumes are far beyond manageable. Although many pieces of mail will get substantially delayed (or perhaps even neglected), top-priority mail will be processed in the first order, and damage done by urgency will be less. The above strategy may introduce an inevitable delay of up to 4 days in replying (Day #1 arrival, #2 review, #3 prioritizing, #4 processing); however, in [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]], it is always the priority and quality that should come first ahead of speed and urgency. Those pieces that truly cannot wait can be handled at '''Review stage''' (if absolutely necessary).

== Mail processing tips ==

# Create a separate [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] for e-mail processing (unless you plan to combine e-mail work with standard repetitions)
# Import mail to your e-mail [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] with ''Shift+F4''
# Use the [[Glossary:Priority_queue|priority queue]] (''Alt+P'') to prioritize mail
# Use '''[[Glossary:Auto-sort|Auto-sort]]''' and '''[[Glossary:Auto-postpone|Auto-postone]]''' to resolve [[Glossary:Overload|overload]] and prioritize mail automatically
# You can delay individual pieces of mail with ''Ctrl+Shift+R'' or ''Ctrl+J'', and change their [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] with ''Alt+P''. Use ''Ctrl+Shift+R'' on first reading to determine when you want to reply to an e-mail
# SuperMemo picks the earliest ''[mailto:'' tag from your e-mail text as the default response addressee. If you would like to send pieces of an article to a selected person, put this tag with the address anywhere in the text. For example: ''<nowiki>[mailto:johndoe@hotmail.com]</nowiki>'' (note the square brackets around the tag and the missing space between ''mailto:'' and the address). You can specify multiple recipients by separating their names with a semicolon. For example: ''<nowiki>[mailto:miko;alex]</nowiki>'' where ''miko'' and ''alex'' must be defined in your mail program's address book (e.g. Windows Live Mail address book). Adding the ''[mailto:'' tag is useful when you want to ask many questions or forward many pieces of a single mail to a single person whose address is complex and is not defined in your address book
# Optionally, add a degree of randomization in your [[Priority queue#Sorting repetitions|Sorting criteria]] to prevent "tunnel vision" in processing. For example, we all suffer from a ''recency bias'' where recently arrived mail is ranked higher in priority than mail that arrived earlier. Randomization helps to counteract this and similar biases
# In the e-mail review process (initiated with '''[[Learn]]'''), do the following:
#* respond to the most important fragments with '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]])(on the [[navigation bar]])
#* schedule less important fragments with '''Schedule extract''' (on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]])
#* pass or delete unimportant fragments, or mark them with '''Ignore''' (on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]])
#* if you jump to the next e-mail [[Glossary:Element|element]] before completing the reading, select the current [[Glossary:Read-point|read-point]] with ''Ctrl+F7'' ('''Set read-point''')
#* if you jump to the next e-mail before completing the reading, optionally, set the new [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] with ''Shift+Ctrl+R''
#* if mail can be answered later, use ''Alt+P'' to reduce its [[Glossary:Priority|priority]]
#* use '''Next repetition''' or '''[[Learn]]''' to move on to the next piece of mail
#* if you complete reading/processing a piece of e-mail, [[Glossary:Dismiss|dismiss]] it with ''Ctrl+D''. You can also use '''Done''' on the [[element menu]] (''Shift+Ctrl+Enter'') if you do not plan to archive a given piece of mail
# To change the addressee, paste the new address in place of the old one in the ''[mailto: ]'' field. You can use short names (e.g. ''<nowiki>[mailto:john]</nowiki>'') if you have the name in your '''Address Book'''. Unfortunately, you will have to paste the address to all splinter fragments generated in [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]]. You could use '''Search and Replace''' (''Ctrl+R'') for that purpose.
# You can sort mail by [[Glossary:Interval|interval]], date, and more. See: [[#You can sort mail by interval, priority or other criteria|You can sort mail by interval, priority or other criteria]]
# You can safely remove texts that SuperMemo adds at the end of mail sent

=== You can sort mail by interval, priority or other criteria ===

You can sort mail by the length of the [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] using the following method:

# choose '''[[View menu|View]] : [[View menu#Outstanding|Outstanding]]'''
# click ''Intrv'' twice at the top of the [[Browser|browser window]] (to sort from the lowest to the highest [[Glossary:Interval|intervals]])
# choose '''[[Browser menu#Tools|Tools]] : Save repetitions''' (on the [[browser menu]])

You can use this method in e-mail processing in the same way as in the learning process. You can also use this method to sort mail by [[Glossary:Priority|priority]], last review date, etc. It is most convenient to use '''[[Glossary:Auto-sort|auto-sort]]''' and '''[[Glossary:Auto-postpone|auto-postpone]]''' when processing mail. This way you can be sure that mail of highest [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] is scheduled at the beginning of the [[Glossary:Outstanding_queue|outstanding queue]].

== Responding with FAQs ==

When processing e-mail, you can choose to reply to a question with an FAQ (i.e. a question-answer pair), which can then be stored in your FAQ database. Responding via FAQ is the best way to retain the context of the question, even if you reply with substantial delay.

Use '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail FAQ''' on the [[component menu]] or click the FAQ icon on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]]. After providing the answer, click '''OK'''. Optionally, you can reword the question, change the addressee, or the title of the question. You can also have your FAQ saved in HTML or Wiki format for publishing on the web. Note that SuperMemo FAQs are generated with SuperMemo itself. This way, many users can benefit from a reply to a question asked by a single individual.

If you would like to publish your FAQs and change their formatting, modify the following files:

* '''HTML''': ''[SuperMemo folder]\bin\FAQ_template.htm''
* '''Wiki''': ''[SuperMemo folder]\bin\FAQ_wiki.txt''

If you would like to use rich formatting in your FAQs that will be saved to a selected HTML file, toggle the '''Rich formatting''' button above the top right corner of the '''Question''' text area. You can recognize if the formatting is enabled by blue borders of the '''Question''' and '''Answer''' fields. You will then be able to use standard keyboard shortcuts for basic formatting (e.g. ''Ctrl+B'' to make the currently selected text '''bold''', ''Ctrl+I'' to ''italicize'' the selected text, etc.)

<div class="center">
{|
| [[Image:Email response.jpg|thumb|none|upright=2|The '''E-mail response''' dialog box now supports richly formatted FAQs that can be formatted either as HTML...]]
| [[Image:Email response2.jpg|thumb|none|upright=2|or WYSIWYG]]
|-
| colspan="2" | '''''Figire''': '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail FAQ''' on the [[component menu]] makes it possible to use the selected text as a question in an FAQ. The FAQ will be sent as a reply, and stored in FAQ files (as HTML and/or Wiki).''
|}
</div>

You can edit your FAQs in the [[HTML component]]. Use '''Horizontal line''' in the '''[[SuperMemo Commander|Commander]]''' to separate question from answer with a [[Glossary:Splitmark|splitline]] (you can use '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : Split : Insert splitline''' on the [[component menu]], or ''Shift+Alt+H''). Once the FAQ is largely complete, select both the question and the answer, and choose '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail FAQ''' from the [[component menu]] to polish its HTML, preview it in the WYSIWYG mode, and send it. The FAQ will be sent as a reply, and stored in FAQ files (as HTML and/or Wiki).

Incremental mail processing

2020-09-03T21:27:49Z

SuperMemoUser: /* Sending learning data to others */

__TOC__

== E-mail in SuperMemo: Introduction ==

SuperMemo makes it easy to resolve mail overload without neglecting the most important channels of communication.

In addition to prioritizing and managing the communication, SuperMemo helps you:

# incorporate e-mail communication into your learning process (e.g. forwarding and discussing important pieces of knowledge)
# incorporate learning into your e-mail communication (e.g. memorizing important facts related to your mail communication)

To fully use e-mail functionality in SuperMemo you will need Windows (Live) Mail (or any other e-mail client that support EML) or MS Outlook 2000 or later. At the very minimum, MAPI compatible mail would be needed for sending SuperMemo [[Glossary:Element|elements]] or objects via mail.

Here are the most important ways you can use SuperMemo in mail processing, and use e-mail in communicating your SuperMemo work:

# '''Prioritizing mail''': To make sure you always begin with the most important pieces, you should use the [[Glossary:Priority_queue|priority queue]] to prioritize mail. Possibly, you will not manage to answer all mail, however, you will always do your best in processing top-priority messages.
# '''Using incremental learning tools to process mail''': [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|Incremental reading]] is a powerful tool that helps you prioritize, schedule, and process mail. As a result, you may decide that instead of using your mail software, it is more convenient and rational to use SuperMemo to read and respond to your e-mail. Users of Windows (Live) Mail or MS Outlook can now import all their mail to SuperMemo with a keystroke. If you receive more mail than you are able to effectively process, you can use overload tools. You will immediately process only the most important pieces and proceed with others according to their [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] in proportion of available time. As in the learning process, rescheduling and sorting happens in the background, so that you never lose sleep over delaying a reply or being slow with processing excess mail. You can respond to longer pieces incrementally.
# '''Sending learning data to others''': If you encounter valuable information in incremental learning (or when processing mail), you can send it to your colleagues, friends, partners or family with a single click for inspiration or further discussion. For example, while reading an article about decoding human genome, you might find out that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Venter Craig Venter of Celera] comes from a Mormon family and that his father was eventually excommunicated. You can send such a note (or the whole article) from SuperMemo to your Mormon friend with a click of a button.
# '''Using mail material in incremental learning''': You may also incorporate snippets of mail in your learning process. You can treat most valuable pieces of e-mail as articles to read. If you receive highly inspirational messages, you may want to introduce it into incremental learning and memorize its portions to ensure long-term benefit. In other words, your mail may not only prompt action, but may also be used in learning to keep your memory up-to-date with things you care about. This way you can also learn from materials sent from others, esp. if those materials come in small portions extracted from an incremental learning process conducted by other people. You can also comment or respond to individual portions of the processed mail. You can do it while reading or when new ideas come to your mind upon review. You can use this process for the purpose of creativity (e.g. reviewing an inspiring idea or information in different contexts) or for the purpose of recall (e.g. trying to remember the university major of your cousin).

== Sending learning data to others ==

Note: Sending e-mail does not work by default on Windows 10, even with a MAPI compliant client. Please [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLe9MjhbmdU watch this video] for instructions on how to get sending email working with SuperMemo.

To send an [[Glossary:Element|element]] via e-mail, click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[navigation bar]] or press ''Shift+Ctrl+E''. Element texts will be sent in the e-mail body (if you wish so), while formatted texts, pictures, and other files will be sent as attachments. You could also send texts without attachments by using '''[[Element menu#E-mail|E-mail]] : Texts''' or '''[[Element menu#E-mail|E-mail]] : Q&A''' on the [[element menu]].

To send a selected fragment of an article via e-mail, right-click over the selection (to open the [[component menu]]) and choose '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail''' (''Shift+Ctrl+E''). Alternatively, you can also click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]]. '''Note:''' SuperMemo sends only plain text mail, and formatted texts can only be sent as attachments.

To send a fragment of [http://youtube.com YouTube] video, mark the fragment with '''Start''' and '''Stop''' buttons and click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[navigation bar]].

== Importing mail to SuperMemo ==

=== Importing mail from Windows (Live) Mail ===

To import mail from Windows (Live) Mail, follow these steps:

<ol>
<li>(optionally) Preview mail in your Windows (Live) Mail Inbox:
<ul>
<li>delete spam,</li>
<li>process one-liners (mail that requires only short answers and is not worth archiving),</li>
<li>categorize mail by moving it to separate folders (e.g. ''Business'', ''Family'', ''Pictures'', ''Learning'', etc.), forward mail that may be processed by others, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>(optionally) Move mail that is to be processed incrementally in a given [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] to a dedicated import folder. Use a top level import folder as SuperMemo only lists top folders on the pick-list (e.g. ''Inbox'', ''Sent items'', ''Business'' as opposed to ''Inbox/Business''). Nested folders need to be picked manually (with '''Change the import folder''').</li>
<li>You can import mail from any folder by following these steps:
<ol>
<li>Choose '''[[Edit menu|Edit]] : [[Edit menu#Import mail|Import mail]]''' (''Shift+F4'') on the [[main menu]], or '''Import mail''' from the import context menu on the [[learnbar]]</li>
<li>(when importing for the first time) select '''Windows (Live) Mail''' as your mail application</li>
<li>(when importing for the first time) pick the account you want to import mail from</li>
<li>(when importing for the first time) SuperMemo will ask you to specify the folder with e-mails to import
<div class="center">
[[File:Folder selection at mail import.jpg|SuperMemo: A dialog with the list of top level folders to import mail from (displayed when importing mail for the first time)]]
<blockquote>'''''Figure''': A dialog with the list of top level folders to import mail from (displayed when importing mail for the first time)''</blockquote>
</div>
</li>
<li>Pressing '''OK''' will import all mail to SuperMemo. E-mail attachments will be imported as separate [[Glossary:Component|components]] of the appropriate type. Binary [[Glossary:Component|components]] will be used to import attachments in formats that are not supported by SuperMemo (e.g. ''PDF'', ''URL'', ''ZIP'', ''MSG'', ''MMP'', ''XLS'', ''DOC'', ''MPA'', ''WMA'', etc.). Mail that has been imported previously will be skipped (as long as it is located in the same import folder as used in the prior import)
<div class="center">
[[File:Progress bar at mail import.jpg|SuperMemo: Progress bar displayed while importing mail]]
<blockquote>'''''Figure''': Progress bar displayed while importing mail to SuperMemo''</blockquote>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>

Note that you will only repeat steps 2-4 when changing the e-mail client or the import folder.

=== Importing mail from MS Outlook ===

To import mail from MS Outlook, do what follows:

# (optionally) Preview mail in the Outlook Inbox
# (optionally) Move mail that is to be processed incrementally in a given [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] to a dedicated import folder. A disadvantage of importing directly from Outlook Inbox is that new mail may arrive during the import process
# You can import the content of your Inbox (or any other Outlook mail folder) by choosing '''[[Edit menu|Edit]] : [[Edit menu#Import mail|Import mail]]''' (''Shift+F4'') on the [[main menu]]. Choose '''Import All''' to import all mail to SuperMemo and move it to an archive folder in MS Outlook (see the picture below). E-mail attachments will be imported as separate [[Glossary:Component|components]] of the appropriate type. Binary [[Glossary:Component|components]] will be used to import attachments in formats that are not supported by SuperMemo (e.g. ''PDF'', ''URL'', ''ZIP'', ''MSG'', ''MMP'', ''XLS'', ''DOC'', ''MPA'', etc.)

[[Image:Import_mail.jpg|800px|center|SuperMemo: Import Mail dialog box which you can import your mail from MS Outlook to SuperMemo through]]

=== Importing mail from other applications ===

==== Importing mail from a folder ====

If your mail application keeps mail on a local disk in the EML format, you can import it by pointing to the folder from which the mail should be imported:

# choose '''[[Edit menu|Edit]] : [[Edit menu#Import mail|Import mail]]''' (''Shift+F4'') from the [[main menu]]
# choose '''Change the mailing program''' (if you used other method previously, answer with '''''No''''' to whatever confirmation SuperMemo demands)
# choose '''Other applications'''
# when SuperMemo asks "''Please point to the folder where you keep the mail that you want to import''", point to the folder where EML files reside

==== Importing mail by copy&paste ====

If you do not use Windows (Live) Mail, nor MS Outlook, nor any other suitable application from where you can import mail, you can manually import individual pieces of mail.

To paste a piece of e-mail for [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]], select the text in the e-mail body, copy this text to the clipboard and choose '''E-Mail: Paste''' in the '''[[SuperMemo Commander|Commander]]'''.

If you want to respond to the original sender while incrementally reading his or her e-mail, paste the e-mail along with its header information (date, return address, subject, etc.).

For example, in Thunderbird:

# click '''Forward''',
# select the entire body of the message (e.g. with ''Ctrl+A''),
# copy the selected text to the clipboard (e.g. with ''Ctrl+C'' or ''Ctrl+Ins'')
# switch to SuperMemo, and choose '''E-Mail: Paste''' in the '''[[SuperMemo Commander|Commander]]'''. This will automatically convert your e-mail to plain text (to save space, remove read-only attributes, etc.). It will also format the header for you. If you want to retain some formatting, select the text and re-paste the formatted fragment

== Reading mail incrementally ==

You can process e-mail incrementally in SuperMemo in a process analogous to [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]].

Here are the pros and the cons:

=== Advantages ===

# '''recall of important facts''': if you learn new things from e-mail sent by others, you can easily introduce the most valuable pieces into the learning process (via standard '''Extract''' or ''Alt+X''). Those pieces will be reviewed as other pieces of knowledge in SuperMemo. If you decide to respond to a given inspirational fragment, the sender address will automatically be used when you click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[navigation bar]]. Incremental processing will help you remember names, contexts, events, and facts far better than when using other methods. You will not experience mental chaos caused by an overcrowded Inbox
# '''prioritization''': if you get more e-mail material than you are able to process, you can use incremental learning tools for prioritizing mail and its fragments. One of the greatest strengths of incremental learning is its unique system for efficiently determining the priority of the reading material with the help of the [[Glossary:Priority_queue|priority queue]]. Remember to politely inform everyone about your e-mail processing system. Otherwise you may easily be accused of acting as an ''e-mail black hole''
# '''handling overflow''': you can use '''[[Postpone]]''' and other rescheduling tools to resolve the excessive inflow of information without damage to your selected priority criteria. If you work in a team, it is a great idea to delegate some of your work; however, not all work can be delegated. Additionally, if you delegate, you do not learn from e-mail that you delegate. To answer the latter problem, you can choose a solution in the middle: delegate e-mail jobs and process inflowing pieces with the tools of incremental learning

=== Disadvantages ===

# '''splintering e-mail''': some people dislike [http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=splinter splintered] responses. They prefer to have their e-mail analyzed as a whole and responded to as a whole (preferably within an hour :). As an act of kindness, try to remember people's preferences and do not use incremental e-mail processing (too much) on those who do not like it
# '''incremental approach is not transitive''': incremental e-mail processing shows the greatest power for longer pieces of mail, article forwards, etc. For very short e-mail messages, incremental e-mail processing delivers less value per unit time. Because incremental mail processing leads to short communication bursts, it undermines its own power when used at both ends of the communication channel. However, even if you communicate in short sentences (i.e. without SuperMemo), keep the record of mail in your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] for [[Subset review#Search and review|Search and review]]

== Incremental strategy for mail processing ==

Incremental learning can be employed in mail processing.

The strategy will be different when processing mail from family or friends. It will be different when processing business mail. It will also be different, and perhaps most effective, when [[Incremental learning#Incremental brainstorming|brainstorming over e-mail]].

This is an exemplary strategy that might be used in nearly all imaginable applications:

'''Review stage'''

# (optionally) Preview mail in your Inbox: delete spam, process one-liners (mail that requires only short answers and is not worth archiving), categorize mail by moving it to separate folders (e.g. ''Business'', ''Family'', ''Pictures'', ''Learning'', ''Music'', etc.), forward mail that may be processed by others, etc.
# import mail from a selected import folder (e.g. with ''Shift+F4''). You may import different categories of mail to different [[Glossary:Collection|collections]] (e.g. business mail to Mail.kno, while family pictures to Photos.kno)
# prioritize mail. Use '''[[Subset operations#spread_priorities|Spread priorities]]''' to assign a range of [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] to the imported subset of mail. Use ''Alt+P'' on most important pieces of mail to assign individual [[Glossary:Priority|priorities]]. For example, import the bulk in the 3%..6% range, and pick 5-10 most important pieces for higher priorities

'''Processing stage'''

# click '''[[Learn]]''', and process mail using standard incremental reading tools (extract, re-prioritize, delay, etc.) combined with e-mail options (extract, send/reply, FAQ, article or picture forwards, etc.). As long as you use [[Glossary:Auto-sort|auto-sort]] and [[Glossary:Auto-postpone|auto-postpone]], your workload should be reasonable and you should always begin from top priority mail. If you have '''[[Learn menu|Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Sorting|Sorting]] : Auto-sort repetitions''' checked, your mail will be sorted by [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] at the beginning of the day. If have '''[[Learn menu|Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Postpone|Postpone]] : Auto-postpone''' checked, all the mail that you fail to process today will be redistributed into the future
# (optionally) once you run out of time, process some mail without responding to re-prioritize and reschedule the most important pieces manually (rather than leaving them to automatic rescheduling)

Naturally, as with [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]], the time you choose to progress through individual stages is important for efficiency. '''Processing stage''' should fall into time slots with best alertness and mental performance. '''Review stage''' can be done at other times, incl. while multi-tasking. This approach eliminates the instant nature of mail, but makes the entire process more reasonable, esp. if volumes are far beyond manageable. Although many pieces of mail will get substantially delayed (or perhaps even neglected), top-priority mail will be processed in the first order, and damage done by urgency will be less. The above strategy may introduce an inevitable delay of up to 4 days in replying (Day #1 arrival, #2 review, #3 prioritizing, #4 processing); however, in [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]], it is always the priority and quality that should come first ahead of speed and urgency. Those pieces that truly cannot wait can be handled at '''Review stage''' (if absolutely necessary).

== Mail processing tips ==

# Create a separate [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] for e-mail processing (unless you plan to combine e-mail work with standard repetitions)
# Import mail to your e-mail [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] with ''Shift+F4''
# Use the [[Glossary:Priority_queue|priority queue]] (''Alt+P'') to prioritize mail
# Use '''[[Glossary:Auto-sort|Auto-sort]]''' and '''[[Glossary:Auto-postpone|Auto-postone]]''' to resolve [[Glossary:Overload|overload]] and prioritize mail automatically
# You can delay individual pieces of mail with ''Ctrl+Shift+R'' or ''Ctrl+J'', and change their [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] with ''Alt+P''. Use ''Ctrl+Shift+R'' on first reading to determine when you want to reply to an e-mail
# SuperMemo picks the earliest ''[mailto:'' tag from your e-mail text as the default response addressee. If you would like to send pieces of an article to a selected person, put this tag with the address anywhere in the text. For example: ''<nowiki>[mailto:johndoe@hotmail.com]</nowiki>'' (note the square brackets around the tag and the missing space between ''mailto:'' and the address). You can specify multiple recipients by separating their names with a semicolon. For example: ''<nowiki>[mailto:miko;alex]</nowiki>'' where ''miko'' and ''alex'' must be defined in your mail program's address book (e.g. Windows Live Mail address book). Adding the ''[mailto:'' tag is useful when you want to ask many questions or forward many pieces of a single mail to a single person whose address is complex and is not defined in your address book
# Optionally, add a degree of randomization in your [[Priority queue#Sorting repetitions|Sorting criteria]] to prevent "tunnel vision" in processing. For example, we all suffer from a ''recency bias'' where recently arrived mail is ranked higher in priority than mail that arrived earlier. Randomization helps to counteract this and similar biases
# In the e-mail review process (initiated with '''[[Learn]]'''), do the following:
#* respond to the most important fragments with '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]])(on the [[navigation bar]])
#* schedule less important fragments with '''Schedule extract''' (on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]])
#* pass or delete unimportant fragments, or mark them with '''Ignore''' (on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]])
#* if you jump to the next e-mail [[Glossary:Element|element]] before completing the reading, select the current [[Glossary:Read-point|read-point]] with ''Ctrl+F7'' ('''Set read-point''')
#* if you jump to the next e-mail before completing the reading, optionally, set the new [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] with ''Shift+Ctrl+R''
#* if mail can be answered later, use ''Alt+P'' to reduce its [[Glossary:Priority|priority]]
#* use '''Next repetition''' or '''[[Learn]]''' to move on to the next piece of mail
#* if you complete reading/processing a piece of e-mail, [[Glossary:Dismiss|dismiss]] it with ''Ctrl+D''. You can also use '''Done''' on the [[element menu]] (''Shift+Ctrl+Enter'') if you do not plan to archive a given piece of mail
# To change the addressee, paste the new address in place of the old one in the ''[mailto: ]'' field. You can use short names (e.g. ''<nowiki>[mailto:john]</nowiki>'') if you have the name in your '''Address Book'''. Unfortunately, you will have to paste the address to all splinter fragments generated in [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]]. You could use '''Search and Replace''' (''Ctrl+R'') for that purpose.
# You can sort mail by [[Glossary:Interval|interval]], date, and more. See: [[#You can sort mail by interval, priority or other criteria|You can sort mail by interval, priority or other criteria]]
# You can safely remove texts that SuperMemo adds at the end of mail sent

=== You can sort mail by interval, priority or other criteria ===

You can sort mail by the length of the [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] using the following method:

# choose '''[[View menu|View]] : [[View menu#Outstanding|Outstanding]]'''
# click ''Intrv'' twice at the top of the [[Browser|browser window]] (to sort from the lowest to the highest [[Glossary:Interval|intervals]])
# choose '''[[Browser menu#Tools|Tools]] : Save repetitions''' (on the [[browser menu]])

You can use this method in e-mail processing in the same way as in the learning process. You can also use this method to sort mail by [[Glossary:Priority|priority]], last review date, etc. It is most convenient to use '''[[Glossary:Auto-sort|auto-sort]]''' and '''[[Glossary:Auto-postpone|auto-postpone]]''' when processing mail. This way you can be sure that mail of highest [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] is scheduled at the beginning of the [[Glossary:Outstanding_queue|outstanding queue]].

== Responding with FAQs ==

When processing e-mail, you can choose to reply to a question with an FAQ (i.e. a question-answer pair), which can then be stored in your FAQ database. Responding via FAQ is the best way to retain the context of the question, even if you reply with substantial delay.

Use '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail FAQ''' on the [[component menu]] or click the FAQ icon on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]]. After providing the answer, click '''OK'''. Optionally, you can reword the question, change the addressee, or the title of the question. You can also have your FAQ saved in HTML or Wiki format for publishing on the web. Note that SuperMemo FAQs are generated with SuperMemo itself. This way, many users can benefit from a reply to a question asked by a single individual.

If you would like to publish your FAQs and change their formatting, modify the following files:

* '''HTML''': ''[SuperMemo folder]\bin\FAQ_template.htm''
* '''Wiki''': ''[SuperMemo folder]\bin\FAQ_wiki.txt''

If you would like to use rich formatting in your FAQs that will be saved to a selected HTML file, toggle the '''Rich formatting''' button above the top right corner of the '''Question''' text area. You can recognize if the formatting is enabled by blue borders of the '''Question''' and '''Answer''' fields. You will then be able to use standard keyboard shortcuts for basic formatting (e.g. ''Ctrl+B'' to make the currently selected text '''bold''', ''Ctrl+I'' to ''italicize'' the selected text, etc.)

<div class="center">
{|
| [[Image:Email response.jpg|thumb|none|upright=2|The '''E-mail response''' dialog box now supports richly formatted FAQs that can be formatted either as HTML...]]
| [[Image:Email response2.jpg|thumb|none|upright=2|or WYSIWYG]]
|-
| colspan="2" | '''''Figire''': '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail FAQ''' on the [[component menu]] makes it possible to use the selected text as a question in an FAQ. The FAQ will be sent as a reply, and stored in FAQ files (as HTML and/or Wiki).''
|}
</div>

You can edit your FAQs in the [[HTML component]]. Use '''Horizontal line''' in the '''[[SuperMemo Commander|Commander]]''' to separate question from answer with a [[Glossary:Splitmark|splitline]] (you can use '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : Split : Insert splitline''' on the [[component menu]], or ''Shift+Alt+H''). Once the FAQ is largely complete, select both the question and the answer, and choose '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail FAQ''' from the [[component menu]] to polish its HTML, preview it in the WYSIWYG mode, and send it. The FAQ will be sent as a reply, and stored in FAQ files (as HTML and/or Wiki).

Incremental mail processing

2020-07-23T11:00:33Z

SuperMemoUser: fix for incremental email not working

__TOC__

== E-mail in SuperMemo: Introduction ==

SuperMemo makes it easy to resolve mail overload without neglecting the most important channels of communication.

In addition to prioritizing and managing the communication, SuperMemo helps you:

# incorporate e-mail communication into your learning process (e.g. forwarding and discussing important pieces of knowledge)
# incorporate learning into your e-mail communication (e.g. memorizing important facts related to your mail communication)

To fully use e-mail functionality in SuperMemo you will need Windows (Live) Mail (or any other e-mail client that support EML) or MS Outlook 2000 or later. At the very minimum, MAPI compatible mail would be needed for sending SuperMemo [[Glossary:Element|elements]] or objects via mail.

Here are the most important ways you can use SuperMemo in mail processing, and use e-mail in communicating your SuperMemo work:

# '''Prioritizing mail''': To make sure you always begin with the most important pieces, you should use the [[Glossary:Priority_queue|priority queue]] to prioritize mail. Possibly, you will not manage to answer all mail, however, you will always do your best in processing top-priority messages.
# '''Using incremental learning tools to process mail''': [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|Incremental reading]] is a powerful tool that helps you prioritize, schedule, and process mail. As a result, you may decide that instead of using your mail software, it is more convenient and rational to use SuperMemo to read and respond to your e-mail. Users of Windows (Live) Mail or MS Outlook can now import all their mail to SuperMemo with a keystroke. If you receive more mail than you are able to effectively process, you can use overload tools. You will immediately process only the most important pieces and proceed with others according to their [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] in proportion of available time. As in the learning process, rescheduling and sorting happens in the background, so that you never lose sleep over delaying a reply or being slow with processing excess mail. You can respond to longer pieces incrementally.
# '''Sending learning data to others''': If you encounter valuable information in incremental learning (or when processing mail), you can send it to your colleagues, friends, partners or family with a single click for inspiration or further discussion. For example, while reading an article about decoding human genome, you might find out that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Venter Craig Venter of Celera] comes from a Mormon family and that his father was eventually excommunicated. You can send such a note (or the whole article) from SuperMemo to your Mormon friend with a click of a button.
# '''Using mail material in incremental learning''': You may also incorporate snippets of mail in your learning process. You can treat most valuable pieces of e-mail as articles to read. If you receive highly inspirational messages, you may want to introduce it into incremental learning and memorize its portions to ensure long-term benefit. In other words, your mail may not only prompt action, but may also be used in learning to keep your memory up-to-date with things you care about. This way you can also learn from materials sent from others, esp. if those materials come in small portions extracted from an incremental learning process conducted by other people. You can also comment or respond to individual portions of the processed mail. You can do it while reading or when new ideas come to your mind upon review. You can use this process for the purpose of creativity (e.g. reviewing an inspiring idea or information in different contexts) or for the purpose of recall (e.g. trying to remember the university major of your cousin).

== Sending learning data to others ==

WARNING: sending does not work by default on Windows 10, even with a MAPI compliant client. Please watch this video for instructions on how to get sending email working with SuperMemo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLe9MjhbmdU.

To send an [[Glossary:Element|element]] via e-mail, click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[navigation bar]] or press ''Shift+Ctrl+E''. Element texts will be sent in the e-mail body (if you wish so), while formatted texts, pictures, and other files will be sent as attachments. You could also send texts without attachments by using '''[[Element menu#E-mail|E-mail]] : Texts''' or '''[[Element menu#E-mail|E-mail]] : Q&A''' on the [[element menu]].

To send a selected fragment of an article via e-mail, right-click over the selection (to open the [[component menu]]) and choose '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail''' (''Shift+Ctrl+E''). Alternatively, you can also click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]]. '''Note:''' SuperMemo sends only plain text mail, and formatted texts can only be sent as attachments.

To send a fragment of [http://youtube.com YouTube] video, mark the fragment with '''Start''' and '''Stop''' buttons and click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[navigation bar]].

== Importing mail to SuperMemo ==

=== Importing mail from Windows (Live) Mail ===

To import mail from Windows (Live) Mail, follow these steps:

<ol>
<li>(optionally) Preview mail in your Windows (Live) Mail Inbox:
<ul>
<li>delete spam,</li>
<li>process one-liners (mail that requires only short answers and is not worth archiving),</li>
<li>categorize mail by moving it to separate folders (e.g. ''Business'', ''Family'', ''Pictures'', ''Learning'', etc.), forward mail that may be processed by others, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>(optionally) Move mail that is to be processed incrementally in a given [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] to a dedicated import folder. Use a top level import folder as SuperMemo only lists top folders on the pick-list (e.g. ''Inbox'', ''Sent items'', ''Business'' as opposed to ''Inbox/Business''). Nested folders need to be picked manually (with '''Change the import folder''').</li>
<li>You can import mail from any folder by following these steps:
<ol>
<li>Choose '''[[Edit menu|Edit]] : [[Edit menu#Import mail|Import mail]]''' (''Shift+F4'') on the [[main menu]], or '''Import mail''' from the import context menu on the [[learnbar]]</li>
<li>(when importing for the first time) select '''Windows (Live) Mail''' as your mail application</li>
<li>(when importing for the first time) pick the account you want to import mail from</li>
<li>(when importing for the first time) SuperMemo will ask you to specify the folder with e-mails to import
<div class="center">
[[File:Folder selection at mail import.jpg|SuperMemo: A dialog with the list of top level folders to import mail from (displayed when importing mail for the first time)]]
<blockquote>'''''Figure''': A dialog with the list of top level folders to import mail from (displayed when importing mail for the first time)''</blockquote>
</div>
</li>
<li>Pressing '''OK''' will import all mail to SuperMemo. E-mail attachments will be imported as separate [[Glossary:Component|components]] of the appropriate type. Binary [[Glossary:Component|components]] will be used to import attachments in formats that are not supported by SuperMemo (e.g. ''PDF'', ''URL'', ''ZIP'', ''MSG'', ''MMP'', ''XLS'', ''DOC'', ''MPA'', ''WMA'', etc.). Mail that has been imported previously will be skipped (as long as it is located in the same import folder as used in the prior import)
<div class="center">
[[File:Progress bar at mail import.jpg|SuperMemo: Progress bar displayed while importing mail]]
<blockquote>'''''Figure''': Progress bar displayed while importing mail to SuperMemo''</blockquote>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>

Note that you will only repeat steps 2-4 when changing the e-mail client or the import folder.

=== Importing mail from MS Outlook ===

To import mail from MS Outlook, do what follows:

# (optionally) Preview mail in the Outlook Inbox
# (optionally) Move mail that is to be processed incrementally in a given [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] to a dedicated import folder. A disadvantage of importing directly from Outlook Inbox is that new mail may arrive during the import process
# You can import the content of your Inbox (or any other Outlook mail folder) by choosing '''[[Edit menu|Edit]] : [[Edit menu#Import mail|Import mail]]''' (''Shift+F4'') on the [[main menu]]. Choose '''Import All''' to import all mail to SuperMemo and move it to an archive folder in MS Outlook (see the picture below). E-mail attachments will be imported as separate [[Glossary:Component|components]] of the appropriate type. Binary [[Glossary:Component|components]] will be used to import attachments in formats that are not supported by SuperMemo (e.g. ''PDF'', ''URL'', ''ZIP'', ''MSG'', ''MMP'', ''XLS'', ''DOC'', ''MPA'', etc.)

[[Image:Import_mail.jpg|800px|center|SuperMemo: Import Mail dialog box which you can import your mail from MS Outlook to SuperMemo through]]

=== Importing mail from other applications ===

==== Importing mail from a folder ====

If your mail application keeps mail on a local disk in the EML format, you can import it by pointing to the folder from which the mail should be imported:

# choose '''[[Edit menu|Edit]] : [[Edit menu#Import mail|Import mail]]''' (''Shift+F4'') from the [[main menu]]
# choose '''Change the mailing program''' (if you used other method previously, answer with '''''No''''' to whatever confirmation SuperMemo demands)
# choose '''Other applications'''
# when SuperMemo asks "''Please point to the folder where you keep the mail that you want to import''", point to the folder where EML files reside

==== Importing mail by copy&paste ====

If you do not use Windows (Live) Mail, nor MS Outlook, nor any other suitable application from where you can import mail, you can manually import individual pieces of mail.

To paste a piece of e-mail for [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]], select the text in the e-mail body, copy this text to the clipboard and choose '''E-Mail: Paste''' in the '''[[SuperMemo Commander|Commander]]'''.

If you want to respond to the original sender while incrementally reading his or her e-mail, paste the e-mail along with its header information (date, return address, subject, etc.).

For example, in Thunderbird:

# click '''Forward''',
# select the entire body of the message (e.g. with ''Ctrl+A''),
# copy the selected text to the clipboard (e.g. with ''Ctrl+C'' or ''Ctrl+Ins'')
# switch to SuperMemo, and choose '''E-Mail: Paste''' in the '''[[SuperMemo Commander|Commander]]'''. This will automatically convert your e-mail to plain text (to save space, remove read-only attributes, etc.). It will also format the header for you. If you want to retain some formatting, select the text and re-paste the formatted fragment

== Reading mail incrementally ==

You can process e-mail incrementally in SuperMemo in a process analogous to [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]].

Here are the pros and the cons:

=== Advantages ===

# '''recall of important facts''': if you learn new things from e-mail sent by others, you can easily introduce the most valuable pieces into the learning process (via standard '''Extract''' or ''Alt+X''). Those pieces will be reviewed as other pieces of knowledge in SuperMemo. If you decide to respond to a given inspirational fragment, the sender address will automatically be used when you click the '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]]) on the [[navigation bar]]. Incremental processing will help you remember names, contexts, events, and facts far better than when using other methods. You will not experience mental chaos caused by an overcrowded Inbox
# '''prioritization''': if you get more e-mail material than you are able to process, you can use incremental learning tools for prioritizing mail and its fragments. One of the greatest strengths of incremental learning is its unique system for efficiently determining the priority of the reading material with the help of the [[Glossary:Priority_queue|priority queue]]. Remember to politely inform everyone about your e-mail processing system. Otherwise you may easily be accused of acting as an ''e-mail black hole''
# '''handling overflow''': you can use '''[[Postpone]]''' and other rescheduling tools to resolve the excessive inflow of information without damage to your selected priority criteria. If you work in a team, it is a great idea to delegate some of your work; however, not all work can be delegated. Additionally, if you delegate, you do not learn from e-mail that you delegate. To answer the latter problem, you can choose a solution in the middle: delegate e-mail jobs and process inflowing pieces with the tools of incremental learning

=== Disadvantages ===

# '''splintering e-mail''': some people dislike [http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=splinter splintered] responses. They prefer to have their e-mail analyzed as a whole and responded to as a whole (preferably within an hour :). As an act of kindness, try to remember people's preferences and do not use incremental e-mail processing (too much) on those who do not like it
# '''incremental approach is not transitive''': incremental e-mail processing shows the greatest power for longer pieces of mail, article forwards, etc. For very short e-mail messages, incremental e-mail processing delivers less value per unit time. Because incremental mail processing leads to short communication bursts, it undermines its own power when used at both ends of the communication channel. However, even if you communicate in short sentences (i.e. without SuperMemo), keep the record of mail in your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] for [[Subset review#Search and review|Search and review]]

== Incremental strategy for mail processing ==

Incremental learning can be employed in mail processing.

The strategy will be different when processing mail from family or friends. It will be different when processing business mail. It will also be different, and perhaps most effective, when [[Incremental learning#Incremental brainstorming|brainstorming over e-mail]].

This is an exemplary strategy that might be used in nearly all imaginable applications:

'''Review stage'''

# (optionally) Preview mail in your Inbox: delete spam, process one-liners (mail that requires only short answers and is not worth archiving), categorize mail by moving it to separate folders (e.g. ''Business'', ''Family'', ''Pictures'', ''Learning'', ''Music'', etc.), forward mail that may be processed by others, etc.
# import mail from a selected import folder (e.g. with ''Shift+F4''). You may import different categories of mail to different [[Glossary:Collection|collections]] (e.g. business mail to Mail.kno, while family pictures to Photos.kno)
# prioritize mail. Use '''[[Subset operations#spread_priorities|Spread priorities]]''' to assign a range of [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] to the imported subset of mail. Use ''Alt+P'' on most important pieces of mail to assign individual [[Glossary:Priority|priorities]]. For example, import the bulk in the 3%..6% range, and pick 5-10 most important pieces for higher priorities

'''Processing stage'''

# click '''[[Learn]]''', and process mail using standard incremental reading tools (extract, re-prioritize, delay, etc.) combined with e-mail options (extract, send/reply, FAQ, article or picture forwards, etc.). As long as you use [[Glossary:Auto-sort|auto-sort]] and [[Glossary:Auto-postpone|auto-postpone]], your workload should be reasonable and you should always begin from top priority mail. If you have '''[[Learn menu|Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Sorting|Sorting]] : Auto-sort repetitions''' checked, your mail will be sorted by [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] at the beginning of the day. If have '''[[Learn menu|Learn]] : [[Learn menu#Postpone|Postpone]] : Auto-postpone''' checked, all the mail that you fail to process today will be redistributed into the future
# (optionally) once you run out of time, process some mail without responding to re-prioritize and reschedule the most important pieces manually (rather than leaving them to automatic rescheduling)

Naturally, as with [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]], the time you choose to progress through individual stages is important for efficiency. '''Processing stage''' should fall into time slots with best alertness and mental performance. '''Review stage''' can be done at other times, incl. while multi-tasking. This approach eliminates the instant nature of mail, but makes the entire process more reasonable, esp. if volumes are far beyond manageable. Although many pieces of mail will get substantially delayed (or perhaps even neglected), top-priority mail will be processed in the first order, and damage done by urgency will be less. The above strategy may introduce an inevitable delay of up to 4 days in replying (Day #1 arrival, #2 review, #3 prioritizing, #4 processing); however, in [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]], it is always the priority and quality that should come first ahead of speed and urgency. Those pieces that truly cannot wait can be handled at '''Review stage''' (if absolutely necessary).

== Mail processing tips ==

# Create a separate [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] for e-mail processing (unless you plan to combine e-mail work with standard repetitions)
# Import mail to your e-mail [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] with ''Shift+F4''
# Use the [[Glossary:Priority_queue|priority queue]] (''Alt+P'') to prioritize mail
# Use '''[[Glossary:Auto-sort|Auto-sort]]''' and '''[[Glossary:Auto-postpone|Auto-postone]]''' to resolve [[Glossary:Overload|overload]] and prioritize mail automatically
# You can delay individual pieces of mail with ''Ctrl+Shift+R'' or ''Ctrl+J'', and change their [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] with ''Alt+P''. Use ''Ctrl+Shift+R'' on first reading to determine when you want to reply to an e-mail
# SuperMemo picks the earliest ''[mailto:'' tag from your e-mail text as the default response addressee. If you would like to send pieces of an article to a selected person, put this tag with the address anywhere in the text. For example: ''<nowiki>[mailto:johndoe@hotmail.com]</nowiki>'' (note the square brackets around the tag and the missing space between ''mailto:'' and the address). You can specify multiple recipients by separating their names with a semicolon. For example: ''<nowiki>[mailto:miko;alex]</nowiki>'' where ''miko'' and ''alex'' must be defined in your mail program's address book (e.g. Windows Live Mail address book). Adding the ''[mailto:'' tag is useful when you want to ask many questions or forward many pieces of a single mail to a single person whose address is complex and is not defined in your address book
# Optionally, add a degree of randomization in your [[Priority queue#Sorting repetitions|Sorting criteria]] to prevent "tunnel vision" in processing. For example, we all suffer from a ''recency bias'' where recently arrived mail is ranked higher in priority than mail that arrived earlier. Randomization helps to counteract this and similar biases
# In the e-mail review process (initiated with '''[[Learn]]'''), do the following:
#* respond to the most important fragments with '''E-mail''' button ([[File:Send e-mail.png|SuperMemo: Send a copy of the element (or its part) in an e-mail message]])(on the [[navigation bar]])
#* schedule less important fragments with '''Schedule extract''' (on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]])
#* pass or delete unimportant fragments, or mark them with '''Ignore''' (on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]])
#* if you jump to the next e-mail [[Glossary:Element|element]] before completing the reading, select the current [[Glossary:Read-point|read-point]] with ''Ctrl+F7'' ('''Set read-point''')
#* if you jump to the next e-mail before completing the reading, optionally, set the new [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] with ''Shift+Ctrl+R''
#* if mail can be answered later, use ''Alt+P'' to reduce its [[Glossary:Priority|priority]]
#* use '''Next repetition''' or '''[[Learn]]''' to move on to the next piece of mail
#* if you complete reading/processing a piece of e-mail, [[Glossary:Dismiss|dismiss]] it with ''Ctrl+D''. You can also use '''Done''' on the [[element menu]] (''Shift+Ctrl+Enter'') if you do not plan to archive a given piece of mail
# To change the addressee, paste the new address in place of the old one in the ''[mailto: ]'' field. You can use short names (e.g. ''<nowiki>[mailto:john]</nowiki>'') if you have the name in your '''Address Book'''. Unfortunately, you will have to paste the address to all splinter fragments generated in [[Glossary:Incremental_reading|incremental reading]]. You could use '''Search and Replace''' (''Ctrl+R'') for that purpose.
# You can sort mail by [[Glossary:Interval|interval]], date, and more. See: [[#You can sort mail by interval, priority or other criteria|You can sort mail by interval, priority or other criteria]]
# You can safely remove texts that SuperMemo adds at the end of mail sent

=== You can sort mail by interval, priority or other criteria ===

You can sort mail by the length of the [[Glossary:Interval|interval]] using the following method:

# choose '''[[View menu|View]] : [[View menu#Outstanding|Outstanding]]'''
# click ''Intrv'' twice at the top of the [[Browser|browser window]] (to sort from the lowest to the highest [[Glossary:Interval|intervals]])
# choose '''[[Browser menu#Tools|Tools]] : Save repetitions''' (on the [[browser menu]])

You can use this method in e-mail processing in the same way as in the learning process. You can also use this method to sort mail by [[Glossary:Priority|priority]], last review date, etc. It is most convenient to use '''[[Glossary:Auto-sort|auto-sort]]''' and '''[[Glossary:Auto-postpone|auto-postpone]]''' when processing mail. This way you can be sure that mail of highest [[Glossary:Priority|priority]] is scheduled at the beginning of the [[Glossary:Outstanding_queue|outstanding queue]].

== Responding with FAQs ==

When processing e-mail, you can choose to reply to a question with an FAQ (i.e. a question-answer pair), which can then be stored in your FAQ database. Responding via FAQ is the best way to retain the context of the question, even if you reply with substantial delay.

Use '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail FAQ''' on the [[component menu]] or click the FAQ icon on the [[Read toolbar|'''Read''' toolbar]]. After providing the answer, click '''OK'''. Optionally, you can reword the question, change the addressee, or the title of the question. You can also have your FAQ saved in HTML or Wiki format for publishing on the web. Note that SuperMemo FAQs are generated with SuperMemo itself. This way, many users can benefit from a reply to a question asked by a single individual.

If you would like to publish your FAQs and change their formatting, modify the following files:

* '''HTML''': ''[SuperMemo folder]\bin\FAQ_template.htm''
* '''Wiki''': ''[SuperMemo folder]\bin\FAQ_wiki.txt''

If you would like to use rich formatting in your FAQs that will be saved to a selected HTML file, toggle the '''Rich formatting''' button above the top right corner of the '''Question''' text area. You can recognize if the formatting is enabled by blue borders of the '''Question''' and '''Answer''' fields. You will then be able to use standard keyboard shortcuts for basic formatting (e.g. ''Ctrl+B'' to make the currently selected text '''bold''', ''Ctrl+I'' to ''italicize'' the selected text, etc.)

<div class="center">
{|
| [[Image:Email response.jpg|thumb|none|upright=2|The '''E-mail response''' dialog box now supports richly formatted FAQs that can be formatted either as HTML...]]
| [[Image:Email response2.jpg|thumb|none|upright=2|or WYSIWYG]]
|-
| colspan="2" | '''''Figire''': '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail FAQ''' on the [[component menu]] makes it possible to use the selected text as a question in an FAQ. The FAQ will be sent as a reply, and stored in FAQ files (as HTML and/or Wiki).''
|}
</div>

You can edit your FAQs in the [[HTML component]]. Use '''Horizontal line''' in the '''[[SuperMemo Commander|Commander]]''' to separate question from answer with a [[Glossary:Splitmark|splitline]] (you can use '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : Split : Insert splitline''' on the [[component menu]], or ''Shift+Alt+H''). Once the FAQ is largely complete, select both the question and the answer, and choose '''[[Component menu#Reading|Reading]] : E-mail FAQ''' from the [[component menu]] to polish its HTML, preview it in the WYSIWYG mode, and send it. The FAQ will be sent as a reply, and stored in FAQ files (as HTML and/or Wiki).

Backup

2020-07-18T21:59:30Z

SuperMemoUser: added supermemo.wiki backup guide as backup option

== Safety of your knowledge stored in SuperMemo ==

Knowledge you store in SuperMemo might belong to your most precious data on your hard disk! After all, it has cost you months or years of editing and repetitions. You must continue your repetitions indefinitely to make sure you do not forget what you have learned. This is why your skills in making a backup copy are so vital!

<div class="bs-callout bs-callout-warning">
'''Everyday you should pause for a moment and imagine the consequences of losing your work since you made your last backup'''.
</div>

In SuperMemo you can backup your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] with '''[[File menu|File]] : [[File menu#Copy collection|Copy collection]]''' (e.g. when you want to choose a specific location on your disk where the copy should be located) or with '''[[File menu|File]] : [[File menu#Backup|Backup]]''' (e.g. if you want to back your collection up often at a specific location with a time stamp). See below for details.

== Terminology ==

To prevent losing your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] (e.g. to a disk failure), you should make regular copies of that collection (e.g. on a flash drive). Such a copy is called a ''backup'' and making it is called ''making a backup''.

If you lose your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] (e.g. to a disk failure), you can always get it back from your ''backup''. This process is called ''restoring the backup''.

It is much easier to handle [[Glossary:Collection|collections]] for backup if you put them into a single file. This process may be called ''packing'', ''zipping'', ''archiving'' or ''compressing'' in the documentation of the program used in combining collection files into one (e.g. WinZip, Total Commander, etc.). Compression used in archiving is ''lossless'' by default (this means you do not lose data, only reduce its size).

== Check your backup! ==

<div class="bs-callout bs-callout-warning">
'''Remember to retrieve and review your backup from time to time to make sure your backup files are stored correctly! Some users backed up only their ''KNO'' files for months thinking their backups are safe and complete!'''
</div>

For example, if you create a [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] called ''Biology'', SuperMemo will create a file ''Biology.kno'' and a folder called ''[BIOLOGY]''. Your backup must include both the ''Biology.kno'' file and the ''[BIOLOGY]'' folder.

== SuperMemo owns its folders! ==

<div class="bs-callout bs-callout-warning">
'''Remember that SuperMemo owns the folders it creates for its [[Glossary:Collection|collections]]. Never store there your own files. Those folders can be deleted at any minute. At best, you will be asked for a confirmation. At worst, you will lose your files!'''
</div>

For example, if you create a [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] called ''Chemistry'', SuperMemo will create a file ''Chemistry.kno'' and a folder called ''[CHEMISTRY]''. You should leave the management of the insides of the ''[CHEMISTRY]'' folder to SuperMemo (unless you truly understand [[SuperMemo files|SuperMemo files and folders]] and how SuperMemo uses them).

== File : Copy collection ==

Use '''[[File menu|File]] : [[File menu#Copy collection|Copy collection]]''' (''Shift+Ctrl+C'') to copy your learning material to some new location. You should copy to a different computer, to a flash drive, or to a DVD-R from time to time to prevent losing your work in case of a hard disk crash. If your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] is named ''Physics'' and you choose '''[[File menu|File]] : [[File menu#Copy collection|Copy collection]]''', SuperMemo will suggest a new name ''Physics (copy)''. If you accept that name (e.g. by choosing '''OK''' or pressing ''Enter''), a copy of the [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] will be created at the same place as the original collection with the name expanded by ''(copy)'' (e.g. ''Physics (copy)''). However, this backup is useful only for cases such as a software crash that might damage the original [[Glossary:Collection|collection]]. This copy is not safe from a hard disk failure (it is located on the same disk), and is not safe from a virus attack (that might wipe out or scramble the entire folder with your [[Glossary:Collection|collections]]). This is why you could at least change '''Drive:''' field in the file browser to select another drive to make your copy.'''

=== Example ===

To backup your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] to a network drive named ''F:'', you can press ''Shift+Ctrl+C'', type "''f:\my_July5_backup''" and press ''Enter''. Naturally, it would be nicer to backup to a dedicated folder, e.g. "''f:\SM17\backup\July5''".

== File : Backup ==

To prevent losing your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] (e.g. to a disk failure), you should make regular copies of that collection (e.g. on a flash drive). Such a copy is called a ''backup'' and making it is called ''making a backup''.

The fastest and simplest way to make a backup is to use '''[[File menu|File]] : [[File menu#Backup|Backup]]''' in SuperMemo as described below.

=== Making a quick backup ===

The fastest way to quickly backup your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] is to use ''Shift+F12'' (or '''[[File menu|File]] : [[File menu#Backup|Backup]]''' from the [[main menu]]). '''Backup''' will skip non-essential files (e.g. temporary files). It will also name your backup with the date on which it was created. For example, if your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]]'s name is ''Incremental Learning.kno'' your backup might get named ''(((Backup of Incremental Learning created on 2013-08-12 03-55-40)))''. This name tells you that the backed up [[Glossary:Collection|collection]]'s name is ''Incremental Learning'', and that the collection was backed up on Aug 12, 2013 after 3:55.

<div class="center">
[[Image:Quick backup.jpg|SuperMemo: The Incremental Learning collection to be archived at at g:\colls\Incremental Learning folder]]
<blockquote>
'''''Figure''': In the examplary picture above, the [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] INCREMENTAL LEARNING will be archived in the folder g:\colls\Incremental Learning\''
</blockquote>
</div>

=== SuperMemo warns you if you open a quick backup ===

In the past, users often made a mistake of learning with their backup, instead of their original [[Glossary:Collection|collection]]. To avoid this confusion, SuperMemo will warn you each time you try to open a backup collection.

You can easily eliminate that warning by renaming the backup [[Glossary:Collection|collection]]. Always rename the collection to its original name when you restore a backup. For example, if your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]'s name is ''YouTube.kno'', and your backup is named ''(((Backup of YOUTUBE created on 2009-04-28 15-15-55))),'' name the collection back to ''YouTube.kno'' or similar at the time when you restore the backup.

=== Restoring a quick backup ===

If you lose your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] (e.g. to a disk failure), you can always get it back from your backup. This process is called ''restoring the backup''.

You can restore the backup by opening the backup [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] with '''[[File menu|File]] : [[File menu#Open collection|Open collection]]''' (ignore the warning), and using '''[[File menu|File]] : [[File menu#Copy collection|Copy collection]]''' (''Shift+Ctrl+C''). You should then copy the backup to your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] folder within the SuperMemo folder (e.g. ''c:\sm17\systems\''), and give it the name of the original collection (e.g. ''c:\sm17\systems\YouTube.kno'').

=== Where shall I put my backup? ===

Remember that the safety of your backup depends on its location. Here is a short list of examples from the safest to the least safe:

*backup on different media on different continents (e.g. flash drive in America, DVD in Europe, Internet server in Asia, etc.)
*backup in a different city (e.g. on a friend's computer)
*backup on different media in the same location (e.g. DVD in the same office might be vulnerable to office fire)
*backup on a flash drive (might be vulnerable to theft if the flash drive is placed in the same computer as the [[Glossary:Collection|collection]])
*backup on another hard disk (might be vulnerable to power surge, fire or flooding that will damage both disks)
*backup on the same disk (may be lost at any minute due to hard disk failure)
*backup in the same folder (might be deleted accidentally when deleting the folder)

Conclusion: always keep your backup as far away from your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] as it is feasible and reasonable.

If you need to back up on the same PC, keep the backup on separate drives, e.g.

Collection:'''''D:'''\sm17\systems\youtube.kno''

Backup:'''''C:'''\backups\supermemo\collections\(((Backup of YOUTUBE created on 2009-04-28 15-15-55))).kno''

== Using WinZip, PKZip, etc. ==

If you would like to use archiving tools to reduce the size of your backup and keep it in a single file, remember to do the following:

*copy the file ''<your collection>.kno'' and the [[SuperMemo files#Collection files|folder ''<your collection>'']] into one archive. '''Many users make a cardinal mistake of archiving only the ''kno'' file which is useless without the files in the accompanying folder'''. For example, remember to copy the folder ''[BIOLOGY-CLASS]'' when backing up ''biology-class.kno''
*remember to '''preserve the paths in archiving'''. If you fail to do this, you will most likely be unable to reassemble hundreds of files into appropriate folders

== Learning process backup ==

'''For advanced users:''' If you are using a commercial [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] available on a CD or DVD, you can save lots of space if you backup only the learning process. You can do it with '''[[File menu|File]] : [[File menu#Export|Export]] : Learning process'''. Note that this will not preserve changes you have made to texts in your [[Glossary:Collection|collection]]. In case of a mishap, you can reinstall your commercial [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] and restore the learning process with '''[[File menu|File]] : [[File menu#Import|Import]] : Learning process'''. For example, a copy of [http://www.super-memo.com/ae2002.html Advanced English] without its [[Glossary:Secondary_storage|secondary storage]] multimedia files takes nearly 50 MB while the learning process backup takes from 0.1 to 3 MB depending on how much work you have put in repetitions.

== Example: Archiving with Total Commander ==

To archive your ''Physics'' [[Glossary:Collection|collection]] with [https://ghisler.com/picture.htm ''Total Commander''] by [https://ghisler.com/index.htm Christian Ghisler] do the following:

*find ''physics.kno'' (e.g. with ''Alt+F7'' search)
*in the panel displaying ''physics.kno'', select ''physics.kno'' and ''[PHYSICS]'' folder (e.g. with ''Ins'' or with ''Ctrl+click'')
*choose ''Alt+F5'' for '''Files : Pack...'''
*make sure '''Also pack path names (only recursed)''' and '''Recursively pack subdirectories''' are checked (to preserve paths and folders)
*choose '''OK'''.

Your newly created archive should appear as a ''ZIP'' file with the default name ''<collections folder>.zip'' (this is ''systems.zip'' by default)

== Further reading ==

*[https://super-memory.com/help/faq/files.htm FAQ: Backup copy]
*[https://supermemopedia.com/wiki/Manual_backup Manual backup]
*[https://supermemo.wiki/sma/#/qs-backup-setup supermemo.wiki's backup guide]
*[[SuperMemo files]]
*[[File menu]]

== FAQs ==

*[http://supermemopedia.com/wiki/How_to_recover_from_repetitions_in_a_backup%3F Swapping collections]

Introduction

2020-07-01T10:46:06Z

SuperMemoUser: /* Important reading */

== SuperMemo will help you learn faster! ==

It is enough that you spend 3 minutes reading this page to be able to begin learning with SuperMemo!

For a good start, you only need two options:

#'''[[Add new]]''' - to add new questions and answers to SuperMemo (keyboard: ''Alt+A'')
#'''[[Learn]]''' - to review the material that you want to remember (keyboard: ''Ctrl+L'')

[[Image:Add new.jpg|500px|SuperMemo: Adding new questions and answers at the Beginner Level]]
{{:Image:Add new.jpg}}

'''Start learning now!''' Initially you may doubt the power of SuperMemo. Trust it for 1-2 weeks and you will begin to understand it better. Add at least 50-100 questions-answer pairs related to your job, your life, or your interests. See how SuperMemo schedules the material for review. See how your memory gets a boost from reviewing that material.

== Summary: The ABC of SuperMemo ==

*<span style="color: red; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold">A</span>dd new material with '''[[Add new]]''' (''Alt+A'')
*<span style="color: red; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold">B</span>e sure to review your daily dose of material with '''[[Learn]]''' (''Ctrl+L'')
*<span style="color: red; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold">C</span>herish the blessing of empowering wisdom! (which in simple English means: [http://super-memory.com/articles/power.htm Have fun with your new knowledge])

{{Important note|Option '''Learn''' will ask you to review your material only after a few days. For that reason, spend your first days on adding new material for learning}}

== Important reading ==

*[https://super-memory.com/help/faq/begin.htm Beginner's FAQ] - questions most often asked by SuperMemo beginners
*[https://supermemopedia.com/wiki/SuperMemo_is_too_difficult! SuperMemo is too difficult!!!]
*[[Step-by-step to SuperMemo mastery|Step by step to SuperMemo Mastery: '''User's Guide''']] - this step-by-step course of SuperMemo will help you learn the most important skills of an advanced SuperMemo user in a sequence that will maximize the gradual increase in your productivity
*[[Backup|'''Backup''']] - to make sure you never lose your learning investment, you must learn how to back up your learning material!
*[https://supermemo.guru/wiki/20_rules_of_knowledge_formulation 20 rules of formulating knowledge] - the way you put your questions and answers together may determine the degree of your success
*[https://super-memory.com/articles/decalog.htm SuperMemo Decalog] - SuperMemo beginners tend to make the same mistakes. This text will help you avoid these mistakes and enjoy efficient learning
*[[Incremental learning]] - adding questions and answers is the "old way" in SuperMemo. The new way is ''incremental learning''. Incremental learning is more complex and requires more experience. However, it is by far the best way to learn new material imported from the web
*[https://supermemopedia.com SuperMemopedia] - Encyclopedia of SuperMemo written by users of SuperMemo
*[https://supermemopedia.com/wiki/ABC Beginner's FAQ Wiki] - frequently asked questions that you can edit and add your own
*[https://www.antimoon.com/how/usingsm-firstcoll.htm Starting your first SuperMemo collection] - ABC of SuperMemo by [https://www.antimoon.com Antimoon.com]
*[https://supermemo.guru/wiki/Pleasure_of_learning Pleasure of learning] - you must never forget that learning must be fun, or it may rather result in … [https://supermemo.guru/wiki/Hating_SuperMemo hating SuperMemo!]

Status bar

2020-06-15T12:46:30Z

SuperMemoUser:

__TOC__

A status bar, aligned at the bottom of the screen, shows basic learning statistics. Additionally, it features a panel displaying hints that explain menu options, buttons or icons used in SuperMemo. Note that you can also find many more statistics in the [[Statistics|'''Statistics''' window]].

[[Image:Status bar.jpg|center|800px|SuperMemo: Figure: Status bar displaying how many elements have already been memorized, how many outstanding elements scheduled for the current day have yet to be reviewed or have to be rehearsed with the final drill yet, and hints for menu items, buttons, statistical parameters, etc.]]

You can show/hide the status bar with '''[[Window menu|Window]] : [[Window menu#Status_bar|Status bar]]''' available from the [[main menu]].

== Memorized ==

The first field shows the total number of [[Glossary:Memorized_element|memorized]] [[Glossary:Item|items]] and [[Glossary:Topic|topics]]

== Outstanding ==

=== Panel ===

The second field shows ('''Outstanding items + Outstanding topics + Final drill items''')/(today's original [[Statistics#Outstanding|'''Outstanding''']]). It illustrates how many [[Glossary:Outstanding_element|outstanding elements]] scheduled for the current day have yet to be reviewed (the first two numbers connected with a plus sign) or have to be rehearsed yet with the [[Glossary:Final_drill|final drill]] (the third number, if present). For example, (24+2+3)/45 means that out of 45 [[Glossary:Outstanding_element|outstanding elements]], 24 [[Glossary:Item|items]] and 2 [[Glossary:Topic|topics]] yet have to be reviewed, while 3 items require additional review in [[Glossary:Final_drill|final drill]].

Note that whether the third final drill statistic is displayed depends on the '''[[Toolkit menu|Toolkit]] : [[Options]] : [[Learning tab in Options|Learning]] : Skip final drill''' setting. When it is on/checked (i.e. the final drill is disabled), the number is no longer shown.

[[Image:Status_bar2.jpg|800px|center|SuperMemo: Status bar displaying what proportion of elements have already been memorized, how many outstanding elements scheduled for the current day have yet to be reviewed or have to be rehearsed yet with the final drill, and hints for menu items, buttons, statistical parameters, etc.]]
{{:File:Status bar2.jpg}}

=== Progress bar ===

The progress bar displays the graphic representation of the same information as the second field. The <span style="color: blue;">blue</span> color shows the proportion of [[Glossary:Element|elements]] passed successfully today (i.e. passed with the grade '''Great''' (5) or '''Good''' (4)). The <span style="color: red;">red</span> color shows the proportion of [[Glossary:Element|elements]] passed with the [[Glossary:Grade|grade]] less than '''Good''' (4). And the white color shows the proportion of [[Glossary:Element|elements]] that have not yet been passed. The <span style="padding: 3px; background: aqua;">aqua percentage number</span> superimposed over the progress bar shows what proportion of [[Glossary:Outstanding_element|outstanding elements]] have already been reviewed, postponed or auto-postponed.

== Hints/Basic element statistics ==

The right part of the status bar is used to display either:
* hints for elements in the SuperMemo interface (such as menu items, buttons, etc.), or
* the current element's basic statistical parameters.

The hints are displayed when '''[[Window menu|Window]] : [[Window menu#Hints|Hints]]''' is on/checked (you can easily notice that as they are showed against the yellow background). Otherwise, the panel shows the basic statistics for the current element: [[Glossary:Interval|interval]], [[Glossary:Priority|priority]], number of repetitions, and the dates of the last and next repetitions.

You can also double-click the panel to turn the hints on and off. Note that this is a collection setting. In other words, the hints may be on in one collection while off in the other depending on the value of this setting.