Thai Byki

[Munted]

What's your opinion of it? IMHO it's just a dressing up of a memorization algorithm that's been freely available for years. Eye candy... but you're going have to pay for it!

[noahvail]

Perhaps so, but I've found it fits my style of learning, so it was worth the not unreasonable price. Others will feel differently, of course. There is no one program that fits all styles equally well.

[Munted]

Perhaps so, but I've found it fits my style of learning, so it was worth the not unreasonable price. Others will feel differently, of course. There is no one program that fits all styles equally well.

True, re styles but if you're in the style to save money go to http://www.mnemosyne-proj.org/

Granted you'll not be bewitched by the eye-candy but you'll learn just as effectively. The learning algorithm is exactly the same.

Edited September 9, 2009 by Munted

[noahvail]

Granted you'll not be bewitched by the eye-candy but you'll learn just as effectively. The learning algorithm is exactly the same.

Well, not exactly the same. They say the basically lifted a commercial product:

The Mnemosyne algorithm is very similar to SM2 used in one of the early versions of SuperMemo. There are some modifications that deal with early and late repetitions, and also to add a small, healthy dose of randomness to the intervals.

They go on to say that SuperMemo is now using SM11, a somewhat more advanced algorithm.

They go on to say that they will not sell this product for money; but they want to be listed as a co-author if any journal articles are written about it. Call me cynical, but if they plan on running this 'project' for decades, as they state, there has to be something in it for them.

Doesn't matter. I have to agree that it looks similar to Byki, uses similar techniques, and is free. Oh well, I already paid for the eye candy, so I'll go enjoy it

The OP did us a great service by giving this information, thanks!

[Rionoir]

I love Byki... when I was taking Thai classes everyday I had my Thai roommate record my new vocabulary for me and I would study with that... really an invaluable tool for not just learning the words, but getting the sound really in your ear.

Haven't looked at the other program so can't comment on it.

[desi]

What's your opinion of it? IMHO it's just a dressing up of a memorization algorithm that's been freely available for years. Eye candy... but you're going have to pay for it!

After a break, I'm back using Bkki.

I like the ease of use. I enjoy how it's set up.

As for 'paying for it'... it's dirt cheap, so no problems there.

So, do the freebies have similar on offer?

I'm not going to type out what each of these mean... but...

Preview

Recognise

Produce

Multiple choice

Fill in the blank

Pronunciation practice

Word whirl

Concentration

Four square

Testing... etc?

Because I have a short attention span so I like being able to move from one activity to another...

And I love the eye candy too, so there is that.

[everydaysthesame]

be careful there are many many mistakes on BYKI. its a good tool for using your own word lists on but don't use their lists. if you do make sure someone checks before you use.

[noahvail]

be careful there are many many mistakes on BYKI. its a good tool for using your own word lists on but don't use their lists. if you do make sure someone checks before you use.

Of course, that's excellent advice for any language program. I practice it in front of my wife, and she finds the occasional error in the software, but usually the errors are all mine

I haven't found any language tutorial program that's 100% accurate. In any country with a disparate culture, errors will occur. Sitting at a computer by yourself is a good exercise but the proof of the pudding comes in talking with a native speaker. Still, it's a good start.